AUSTIN, Texas
The Austin Convention Center is the first convention center in Texas, and the second in the U.S. to be awarded the LEED Gold Certification for Existing Buildings.
The 881,400-square-foot facility has worked for four years to complete the accomplishment, awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Sustainable design features and practices at the center include diverting 66 percent of all waste from landfill; composting 250,000 pounds of organic waste in 2011; reducing its carbon footprint by 93 percent since 2007; reducing electric consumption by 20 percent; using carpet made from recycled materials, generating zero emissions and installed without using glue; and using crushed glass, native and adaptive plants in landscaping to minimize water consumption.
“This achievement signifies Austin’s commitment to the environment and will further Austin’s reputation as a premier destination for meetings and conventions,” said Bob Lander, president and CEO of the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau.
