Salt Palace Convention Center

Sustainability
As we strive to reduce, reuse, and recycle; we believe that by carefully considering the environmental impact of all of our business decisions before we make them, we have been able to shrink our ecological footprint and will continue to do so.   In addition, the Salt Palace Convention Center is diligently seeking the newest technology in environmental care practices in order to incorporate them into our daily operations.

• In September 2010, Salt Lake County announced the installation of a rooftop solar array atop the Salt Palace Convention Center.
• Expansion in 2006 was awarded the U.S. Green Building Council's Silver LEED.
• Single stream recycling program for aluminum, paper, cardboard, and plastic.
• Solar panels power and operate the lighting in parking structure.
• Waterless urinals in the restrooms in save 40,000 gallons of water per urinal per year.
• Variable frequency drives promote the efficient operation of our HVAC system: new expansion 35-40% energy savings, 25% energy savings on existing facility.
• HVAC systems are controlled by a centralized system so the facility managers are aware of all temperature settings.
• A program is under way to replace all facility light fixtures with energy-efficient fluorescent lighting at a 40-60% savings in energy.
• The executive offices all have motion sensors for the lighting systems so lights are only used when needed.
• We monitor and exceed the indoor air quality standard by increasing the air exchange rates in the facility.
• Utilization of drip irrigation systems in our landscape features reduces water loss from evaporation.
• Bike racks are available in the parking structure to promote the use of human-powered mobility
• Preferred parking positions are available for car-pooling attendees at the Salt Palace.
• The 2006 expansion has utilized water-efficient landscaping which has reduced anticipated water needs for this landscaping by 50%.
• 50% lighting levels in exhibit halls during move in/move out hours, heating or AC not provided.
• Show lights reduced to 50% levels promptly at show closing.
• Power-use reduction policy implemented building wide for climate control & lighting; presently below last year's usage of power despite an increase in space usage.
• Concourse lighting/heating/cooling scheduled according to building use.
• Meeting room lights turned off when not in use.
• Stand-alone cooling system installed in Security Office so main chillers are not in use when the building is not occupied.
• No water used outside building for cleanup - sweeping only.
• Speaker water provided in carafes with glasses instead of bottles.
• Caterer offers five-gallon water containers or coolers instead of plastic bottles.
• Caterer recycles grease and fry oil.
• Caterer uses 100% biodegradable Greenware plastic products made from plants including cups, plates, napkins and cutlery.
• Caterer encourages local food-buying practices and uses organic food sources when appropriate.
• Caterer distributes leftover food to The Road Home homeless shelter, Salt Lake Mission, and Utah Food Bank, and day-old bread products to local farms for animal consumption.
• Dishwashing machines with low-level water arms were installed in the kitchen, cutting water use by 30%.
• Office files changed from legal to letter size to conserve paper. Paper for office use is 20% post-consumer wherever possible.
• Compost pile started; working on ways to have vendors contribute.
• Toilet paper is 100% post-consumer, hand towels are 40% post-consumer.
• Hand soap in restrooms is EPA green seal certified.
• At least 50% of cleaning chemicals presently in use are green seal certified. Caterer uses 100% biodegradable, non-caustic, citrus-based cleaner.
• Implementing program to scan archived paper files for electronic storage and recycling of paper.