MPI and MeetGreen (formerly Meeting Strategies Worldwide) issued their support to Salt Lake City officials to research and develop a commercial composting service there that can be accessed by the meetings and hospitality industry. The Unitarian Universalist Association added its support as well, as the group is meeting there this summer.
“We were thrilled to find the [Salt Palace Convention Center] recycled, had switched to compostable disposables and was providing limited prep food composting,” said Janiece Sneegas, director of UUA’s general assembly and conference services. “Unfortunately, however, the city didn’t have infrastructure to compost meat, oil or disposables, which accounts for about 15 to 20 percent of our waste. We wanted to find a way to advocate for this, but were one voice, and one event.”
Scott Beck, president and CEO of the Salt Lake City CVB, said he appreciates the initiative of the three groups in reaching out to city officials.
“Even though these organizations will have come and gone from Salt Lake City by the time commercial composting is implemented, our city departments understand this is a desired service and one that is a decision-making factor for meeting planners when selecting a city,” Beck said.
