The David L. Lawrence Convention Center, which is certified with a Gold LEED rating by the U.S.Green Building Council and maintains the distinction as the first "green" convention center, is the meeting, convention and exhibition industry's greatest proponent of green practices - and the convention center's programs and partnerships are proof.

Since the 1.5 million square foot building opened in 2003, the convention center's staff and visitors have focused on environmental health and safety factors with particular emphasis on the three R's: Recycling, Reusing and Reducing.

In the past 19 months, the green practices at the DLCC have yielded the following results:

Recycle

· Approximately 203,940 pounds of paper and cardboard have been recycled which translates into conservation of approximately 1,727 trees and 713,790 gallons of water;

· The 8,860 pounds of glass and plastics recycled at the convention center save enough energy to burn 147 100-watt light bulbs for one year; and

· Through the recycling of 1,500 pounds of wooden pallets, the center conserved the amount of wood necessary to construct 75 new pallets.

Reuse

· The David L. Lawrence Convention Center's water reclamation system treated and re-used 5.08 million gallons of water which is enough water to run 103 households annually or 325,333 individual dishwashers.

Reduce

· The building's natural ventilation system, which eliminates the need for artificial heating and cooling, was in operation for 58 event days representing 33 percent of the Exhibit Hall event days.

Levy Restaurants, the official food service provider of the DLCC, has embraced and initiated green functions into its operations as well. Levy uses products that are biodegradable, compostable and disposable as part of their standard food and beverage functions. Examples of their initiatives include:

· Cups and plates are made of PLA - Poly Lactic Acid - a resin derived entirely from natural corn starches and is 100 percent annually renewable and fully compostable;

· Flatware is made of compostable potato starch;

· The packaging components of boxed lunches are 100 percent compostable including the box, napkins, cookie bag, flatware, sandwich and salad containers; and

· No trans fat fry oil is used in its food preparation; its oil is soy-based which is healthier and can be disposed of into the convention center's water reclamation system.

Additionally, Levy Restaurants is committed to helping the convention center's guests eat healthier and fresher food while reducing the need for "long-haul" fruits and vegetables from other parts of the country. They are participating in the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture and the "Buy Fresh, Buy Local" programs that work with Pennsylvania farmers and consumers to promote growing and purchasing locally-grown food.

Levy and the convention center are in the design phase of construct a hydroponic greenhouse in the facility to grow its own produce and herbs. Levy has used the convention center's outdoor roof-top planters for two years to grow herbs and vegetables.

"No other meeting facility in the world can offer its convention, exhibition and event planners as well as its visitors a comparable 'green' experience," said Mark Leahy, general manager of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. "We take great pride in knowing that the design and engineering of the convention center along with our recycling, reuse and reduction efforts are helping to keep our environment viable for future generations."

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center is owned by the Sports and Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County and managed by Philadelphia-based, SMG.

4/27/2007