Sustainability

The Savannah Convention Center is committed to sustainable operations and environmental stewardship, achieving LEED Gold Certification in 2017. The facility incorporates extensive daylighting paired with energy-efficient LED lighting and features Energy Star-rated digital signage and monitors. Window film helps reduce heat gain, while a high-efficiency Tower Tech cooling system and plate frame heat exchanger improve energy and water use in HVAC operations. The convention center maintains a single-stream recycling program for plastic, aluminum/tin, paper, and cardboard throughout the facility. Additional sustainable building features include a reflective roof membrane with enhanced insulation, demand-controlled ventilation supported by high-velocity, low-speed fans, and integration of surrounding wetlands and a new raingarden for stormwater management. The facility reuses equipment and furniture through GovDeals and has installed carpet manufactured in Georgia. The I.T. department selects Energy Star-certified devices, and materials are specified to promote healthy indoor air quality. The food and beverage program prioritizes sustainability by sourcing certified sustainable seafood, offering plant-based options, donating used frying oil for conversion into biodiesel and animal feed, and using compostable cups, with compostable plates and utensils available upon request. Water coolers with bottle-fill stations and in-room water bubblers help reduce single-use plastic consumption.
Future Sustainability Initiatives:

• Install electric vehicle charging stations in the main parking lot
• Expand digital displays throughout the facility to reduce signage waste
• Upgrade remaining lighting to energy-efficient LEDs
• Source table and chair linens made with recycled fiber content
• Explore solar energy opportunities in partnership with Cherry Street
• Install occupancy sensors in back-of-house hallways
• Use only certified sustainable oils
• Source seafood in alignment with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP)
• Increase use of cage-free eggs to 50%
• Source 75% of meats from humane and sustainable programs such as American Humane Certified, Raised Without Antibiotics, and the American Grassfed Association
• Work toward sourcing 50% USDA Organic produce through our broadline distributor
• Ensure all disposable cups, plates, napkins, cutlery, containers, and wrappers are compostable, biobased, or made from responsibly sourced virgin pulp

We’ve adopted a noteworthy amount of green initiatives which include but are not limited to:

• Using certified sustainable fish and seafood
• Donating used frying oil to be recycled and converted to animal feed and bio-diesel
• Utilizing plates and utensils made of 100% compostable and disposable materials
• Recycling plastic, aluminum/tin cans, paper, and cardboard products in a co-mingled single stream program throughout the entire facility

A few examples of energy-efficient capital projects we’ve recently completed include but are not limited to:

Replaced original dishwasher with a new Hobart FT1000 dishwasher

82% more water efficient (FT900 used 324 gallons an hour and new FT1000 only uses 58 gallons an hour)

Replaced exterior light poles in Bryan Square and across the Riverfront of the facility

Replaced existing 175 Metal Halide Light poles with new Nova LED fixtures and NLS poles that use only 40 watts. (Wattage reduction of 135 watts per pole at 65 total poles for a total wattage reduction of 8,775 watts)

Modification to public restrooms

Replaced existing light fixtures that were 52 watts with new LED panels that are 30 watts and reduced the amount of fixtures needed. Installed new eco-friendly ceiling tile with humi-guard to prevent mold and mildew