Sustainability Environmental statement On February 27, 2008, the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center received the Governor’s “Minnesota Great Award.” This recognition honors excellence in businesses that preserve our environment through innovative practices preventing pollution and waste and improving resource efficiency leading to sustainability. Nominated by Susan Darley-Hill of Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, the Governor’s Award was presented at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Air, Water and Waste Environmental Conference. The DECC is a veteran player in a field where being “green” is now in vogue. Since June 2003, the DECC has taken steps to integrate sound principles of environmental stewardship in its daily operations and long-range planning. This staff-driven initiative continues to develop solutions to reduce waste, conserve resources and save energy, in a cost-neutral or money-saving way. Many conventions and events continue to be attracted to the DECC in a desire to create greener events. The long-range vision developed several years ago not only positions the DECC to take advantage of its accomplishments in the current atmosphere, but ensures community benefits that will endure. The DECC is committed to environmental stewardship in our community. You will notice our efforts throughout the facility. We will coordinate with you to handle waste from your conference in a responsible manner. We compost all organic waste to reduce landfill contributions. We donate any food surplus to Second Harvest Food Bank. We recycle everything that is recyclable: cardboard, vinyl table covering, aluminum & tin, glass & plastic containers and all paper. Energy usage is reduced with our Turn-Off-The-Lights policy and with our conversion to surplus steam for heating and cooling. We buy locally whenever possible, reducing the use of fossil fuels and carbon emissions. Compostable goods reduce landfill space: biodegradable paper products, wooden coffee stirs, milk cartons. We buy bulk items to reduce packaging, such as sugar and cream. We participate in Minnesota’s Material Exchange and have an interdepartmental materials exchange. These efforts may seem simple, but they yield great rewards throughout our community and within our facility.
