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Cities: Energy to Transform
June 20-23, 2009 in Savannah
Voting delegate form
Door prize notice
Parade of Flags sign-up
Green Meetings
The 2009 Annual Convention is the Georgia Municipal Association’s first attempt at a “green” meeting. A green meeting or event incorporates environmental considerations to minimize its negative impact on the environment.
Did you know?
- Collecting name badge holders for reuse at an event of 2000 attendees can save approximately $750 for the event organizer.
- A five-day event serving 2200 people breaks, breakfasts, lunches and receptions using china instead of plastic disposables, prevents 1,890 lbs. of plastic from going into a landfill. That’s nearly one ton! Plastics used should be made of recycled and bio-degradable material.
- Not pre-filling water glasses at banquet tables during a meal event for 1100 attendees will save 85 gallons of water.
- Serving condiments in bulk is less expensive than individual serving packages - bulk cream is 62% cheaper and bulk sugar is 50% cheaper than single serving sachets. Plus, they produce less waste.
- Providing water in pitchers saves an estimated $10,000 for a three-day event for 1000 people and keeps 6000 plastic bottles from going into landfills.
What have we done?
- Delegate gifts – a tote bag and reusable water bottle – are durable, minimally packaged and made from recycled materials. A tree has been planted for each bag purchased.
- Many of the conference materials have been burned on a CD or posted to the GMA website for review during or after the convention rather than printed.
- Recycled paper has been used for printed materials. In addition, to the extent possible, materials have been copied front and back.
- Receptacles have been provided for attendees to return their badge-holders at the end of the meeting.
- Signage has either been printed on recycled materials or can be reused for later events.
- Recycle bins for cans, bottles and papers have been provided throughout the Trade Center and in hotels.
- Water tanks and reusable water bottles have been provided instead of bottled water.
- The Trade Center, hotels and vendors in the Exhibit Hall have been asked to assist us in our efforts.
What can you do?
- Do not pick up materials that you plan to discard as soon as you get back to your hotel room.
- Use the GMA website (and Cyber Café) to review handouts and meeting information.
- Turn out the lights in your hotel room when you leave.
- Use the card provided at your hotel that asks them NOT to change your sheets everyday.
- Make use of the recycle bins provided.
GMA would like to offer a special thanks to our Official Sustainability Sponsor
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