[advance to content]

GoGreen Conference Seattle

Environmental Considerations

The GoGreen Conference aspires to produce environmentally and socially responsible events. We employ a set of core commitments for every community we work in:

  • Commitment to the social dimension of sustainability via robust engagement and collaboration with locally based social cause and non-profit organizations.
  • Commitment to the economic dimension of sustainability through a concentrated focus in our programming and purchasing decisions on building and supporting strong local/regional economies and green businesses.
  • Commitment to minimize the environmental impact of each event through recognized sustainable best practices, vendor relationships and upholding high standards for venue selection.

We continually seek to further enhance our efforts in all of these areas. If you know of a new opportunity for us to look into, please contact us at events@gogreenconference.net

Carbon Offsets, Renewable Energy Certificates, and Water Restoration Certificates

BEF Thanks to the generous support of the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), we have taken strides to make the 2012 GoGreen Seattle conference environmentally sustainable. Verified Carbon Offsets donated by BEF have offset the carbon dioxide equivalent associated with event staff travel to and from the conferences. In addition, Renewable Energy Certificates donated by BEF ensure that that the energy used at each event comes from only green energy sources. Lastly, BEF has donated Water Restoration Certificates™ to restore an equivalent amount to water used during each conference to critically dewatered rivers and streams.

Venue


The Conference Center

  • Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as exceeding the requirements for designation as LEED Platinum
  • Wall and partition fabrics are GREENGUARD certified
  • All food service equipment is Energy Star rated
  • Employs a highly-efficient lighting design to lower energy use
  • Venue is easily accessible via multiple public transit options

Food and Beverage


Honest Tea

Uses reduced packaging, wind energy production, upcycling programs with TerraCycle to fulfill their mission to grow responsibly and craft great tasting products for their customers.

Snoqualmie Winery

  • In The Vineyards: Utilizes low-impact pest, soil, and water management techniques including the use of recycled grape pomace to increase soil fertility, drip irrigation for increased water efficiency, and environmentally friendly, soft material-based pest control agents.
  • In The Winery: Conserves energy through high-efficiency, motion-triggered lighting systems, utilizes water-efficient hoses in the cellar, employs a gray water re-use system and water-efficient landscaping on winery grounds, reduces solid waste through an intensive recycling program and strives to have all print materials made exclusively with 100 percent recycled papers and vegetable-based inks.

Water

Water from the Conference Center will be filtered on-site by Vyykn's purification system and served in reusable water bottles.

Energy

Turn HVAC down in venue space after hours and when not in use.

Materials Procurement

  • Event promotion is pursued primarily via online methods: e-newsletters, online advertising and social media.
  • The registration process for all GoGreen Conference events utilizes a 100 percent paperless ticket system.
  • GoGreen '12 Seattle's badge holders, by Rebinder, are compostable and made from corn-starch.
  • All suppliers are local when possible and deemed conscious of their social responsibility (A/V, food/beverage, exhibitor materials)

Waste

  • Zero-waste management efforts are implemented materials reduction and re-use.
  • Remaining waste is diverted from the landfill via recycling and composting. All waste is monitored, weighed and reported.
  • Food scraps will be composted and food service items recycled by Aramark
  • Minimal food packaging is used
  • Use of durable products is preferred in place of disposable ones whenever possible (linens, lanyards, etc.)
  • When disposable products are necessary, renewable and responsible materials are preferred: Compostable corn-based plastic containers, compostable and sustainable sugarcane paper goods, compostable potato and vegetable-based cutlery, compostable corn-based cold cups.