Environmental Sustainability

The Greater Columbus Convention Center North Building is LEED® Silver certified under the Existing Buildings (Operations + Management) program. Below are highlights from each program area and how they contribute to more sustainable conventions, meetings and events.

Sustainable Site

The Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC) is located in an urban area and is very well connected to public transit. The area is extremely walkable and virtually everything a person could need is within easy walking distance.

Water Efficiency

The GCCC uses low-flow water fixtures throughout the North Building to minimize water usage. The exterior landscaping also utilizes drip lines to maximize effectiveness and minimize water usage.

Energy and Atmosphere

The GCCC is an exceptionally energy efficient facility. Energy usage is measured in real-time and tracked to identify issues and highlight opportunities for savings. All lighting in the front-of house are energy LED lights, including the Exhibit Halls.

The GCCC also offsets 100% of its energy usage with renewable energy by purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) equivalent to the total amount of electricity used.

Material and Resources

The GCCC has a sustainable purchasing policy and follows the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle model to minimize waste. Paper products used throughout the facility are made with 100% post-consumer content and a single-stream recycling program exists with recycling and compost containers throughout the event spaces to collect and process recyclable materials. All disposable service items (plates, forks, straws, etc.) are compostable and are transported by GCCC’s commercial composter and turned into a soil amendment at their compost facility.

Indoor Environmental Quality

The GCCC has Indoor Air Quality and Green Cleaning programs to ensure building occupants have a healthy indoor environment free of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The cleaning equipment that the staff uses to maintain the spaces utilizes water or ionized water to clean and no chemicals are needed.

Innovation in Operations

The GCCC received additional credit for sustainable purchasing, water conservation and green cleaning program effectiveness.

Regional Priority

The GCCC received Regional Priority credits for Alternative Commuting Transportation options and On-Site and Off-Site Renewable Energy.

Catering

GCCC’s caterer Levy promotes environmental sustainability by:

Using organic and locally grown products, in-season produce as well as local meat and seafood when it is available. Locally grown produce not only supports regional farmers, but reduces transportation costs and the consumption of fossil fuels.

Levy is one of the largest contributors to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank and Friends of the Homeless.

Fryer oil is recycled into animal feed and bio-diesel fuels.

Renewable service options include china, cotton napkins and tablecloths, and bulk condiments as part of standard operations.

The indoor, vertical Smartfarm is the first of its kind in a convention center and produces nearly 5,000 pounds of vegetables and herbs annually for culinary use.

LEED®, and its related logo, is a trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council® and is used with permission.