| With an emphasis on reducing our overall environmental impact while benefiting and improving the local community, Cobb Galleria Centre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, and Galleria Specialty Shops are committed to reviewing, changing and implementing policies and sustainability initiatives, which work to strengthen our environmental principles. Our goal is to improve, maintain and apply practices that will reduce impact on the environment, benefit the local community and make economic sense.
While we realize that this effort is never complete and always evolving, below is a list of some of the things we are doing to promote environmental sustainability:
Recycling - Single stream recycling of glass, plastic, cans, and paper in all public, office, and back-of-house areas of facility
- Cardboard recycling program through a compactor on the loading dock
- Shipping pallets are reused or recycled
- Batteries are recycled
- Flourescent bulbs are recycled
- Grease is recycled into biodiesel fuel
- Toner cartridges are recycled
Energy/Water - ALTO fluorescent bulbs (low mercury) where possible
- Integrated "Building Management System" through Johnson Controls and Siemens that has reduced electricity costs/consumption by 12% and gas costs/consumption by 15%
- Motion-censored lights (since 1994)
- LED lighting
- No use of HVAC during move-in/move-out days in the exhibit hall (significant because loading dock doors are open and running systems would waste energy)
- Water and iced tea that are not consumed at banquet functions are re-used to water plants
- Planting of perennials instead of annuals in flower beds – perennials grow deeper roots and require less watering
- Chemical treatment and monitoring to maintain water quality for HVAC
Food and Beverage - Water not pre-set at lunches
- Clients are discouraged from using disposables on their buffets and breaks (china and linen are highly encouraged)
- Water urns provided on request instead of bottled water at meetings
- Left-over food donated to Atlanta's Table
- Minimal use of pre-packaged condiments
Office - Major reduction in paper through "going electronic" with most operational documents (Proposals, Contracts, Banquet Event Orders, Invoices, Event Resumes, Service Order Forms, etc.)
- Major reduction in paper through minimal production of collateral materials and only electronic production of newsletters
- Use of only FSC Certified commercial printers
Future Initiatives
The “Green Team” for Cobb Galleria Centre and Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre is continually working on developing new sustainability initiatives. Our current focus is on: - Energy Management
- Composting
- Electronic File Cabinet for office staff
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