Food & Beverage Getting to Charlotte
Charlotte Convention Center

Green Initiatives

The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority is committed to operating in a manner that drives social and environmental change to serve our community, customers and visitors. Our sustainable efforts include:

ENERGY CONSERVATION

  • Our Exhibit Hall lighting features 471-watt LED High Bay fixtures, reducing energy usage by 53% over previous fixtures while also increasing lighting levels and flexibility.
  • During move-in and move-out to Exhibit Halls, lights run at 50%, and no HVAC is utilized.
  • We only run escalators in the building based on occupancy and event needs.
  • Our team has partnered with Johnson Controls on efficient management of the heating and cooling system and operation of lights based on the activity in the building.
  • The glass in the facility is classified as low ‘E’ – energy-friendly – and controls UV light flow into the Charlotte Convention Center.
  • During the night hours, all electronics and computers are powered down.
  • New Exhibit Hall chairs are GREENGUARD Certified, meaning that the materials used have low chemical emissions, improving the quality of the air.

WATER CONSERVATION

  • Auto flushers and water faucet aerators are installed throughout the facility to contribute to water conservation.
  • Inventory finished-top linen-less tables for classroom sets and 30” wide table needs; there is also 100% aluminum for F&B breaks. Less linens to launder result in reduced water usage.
  • Our maintenance landscaping is conducive to less water usage.

FOOD COMPOSTING/FOOD DONATIONS

  • The Charlotte Convention Center partners with local company, Earth Farms Organics, to pick up composting twice a week.
  • The CRVA, across all venues, averages approximately 10 tons of food and food prep to the compost program annually.
  • The Charlotte Convention Center composts all organic and disposable materials collected in BOH (Back of House), reducing unnecessary landfill usage.
  • Our culinary team partners with ‘Stew of Sustainability’ and Second Harvest Food Bank of the Metrolina to repackage, freeze and donate any untouched, leftover food.
  • Since 2018, the culinary team has processed for donation 15,000 lbs. of food (1 lb. equates to 1 meal/person) to Stew of Sustainability.

RECYCLING/WASTE MINIMIZATION

  • The Charlotte Convention Center offers clear beverage cups that are made from a biodegradable corn material (PLA), and biodegradable coffee cups from a leading green company.
  • We recycle aluminum, batteries, cardboard, glass, lightbulbs, paper, pallets, plastic and toner cartridges.
  • All cooking oil is recycled and repurposed.
  • Bulk beverages are also available for most events including soda, iced tea, coffee and water.
  • We set rooms and prepare meals only for the actual number guaranteed; no overages.

ENVIRONMENTAL PURCHASING

  • Our Catering menus offer organic and locally grown produce from North / South Carolina farms, as well as local and regional beer and wine.
  • 95% percent of cleaning supplies are environmentally safe and biodegradable.
  • Microfiber cleaning materials are used and Hepa filters are in all vacuum cleaners.
  • Soap dispensers use green certified soap, which requires less water to rinse.
  • For food and beverage events, we use 65% post-consumer recycled paper napkins or cloth napkins whenever possible.

LEADERSHIP

  • The Charlotte Convention Center has a membership in the Mecklenburg County “Wipe Out Waste” program and is a co-sponsor of the Charlotte Green Team.

IN THE WORKS: FUTURE INITIATIVES

  • Replacement of 25-year-old HVAC chillers with new high efficiency chillers.
  • Replacement of 25-year-old cooling towers for the HVAC system, enhancing efficiency through use of variable speed drives on the new units.
  • Replacement of 25-year-old HVAC boilers for improved heating efficiency.
  • Installation of a pump and filtration system for use of ground water for cooling tower make-up water, which could reduce the Convention Center’s domestic water usage by up to 30% over current levels.
  • Pursuit of LEED O+M (Operations & Maintenance) Certification.