LACC Honored for Green Efforts

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency honored the Los Angeles Convention Center on Earth Day, April 22, for its environmental and sustainable efforts.

"We are very pleased with the Los Angeles Convention Center's successful efforts to reduce waste and conserve energy," said Nancy Lindsay, waste division director for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Pacific Southwest Region.

The convention center is a partner in the EPA's WasteWise program, which recognizes organizations for waste-diversion practices. According to the LACC, it has recycled and composted more than 1,500 tons of material, a 55-percent diversion rate. LACC officials said their goal is a 60-percent rate.

"One of our core values as an organization is to incessantly and progressively devise, develop and deploy environmental and sustainable improvements that will positively impact our environment and community," said Pouria Abbassi, CEO and general manager of the LACC. "We have coined the slogan 'Earth Aware, Doing Our Share' to better illustrate our goal of positioning Los Angeles as the recognizable industry leader for environmental stewardship."

In addition to the EPA program, the LACC officials have implemented other environmental and sustainable programs:

• recycling aluminum, steel, paper, carpet, concrete, gravel and plastic
• composting landscaping and food waste
• enrolling in the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's Green Power Program at a level of 30 percent of the facility's energy consumption
• using 100-percent biodegradable food serviceware
• pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Existing Buildings certification from the U.S. Green Building Council

"Los Angeles is committed to making itself the cleanest and greenest big city in the nation," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "We take climate change and sustainability issues seriously. We are committed to improving our environment, and the Los Angeles Convention Center is a prime example of our green promise."