2008 CES Will ‘Go Green’

by Steve Smith -- TWICE, November 14, 2007

New York — The 2008 International CES will “go green” by reducing its carbon footprint and with the use of sustainable and efficient energy practices.

Gary Shapiro, president/CEO of CEA, which produces CES, said the show will cut its carbon footprint by “reducing energy consumption, increasing our recycling efforts, improving efficiency where possible, and making strides toward offsetting our unavoidable emissions. Consumer electronics are part of an energy-saving solution and improve the way we live, work and play, which gives this industry an opportunity to be a positive force for change and integral to environmental solutions that will ensure future generations inherit a healthy planet.”

CES will be held Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas

CEA has formed a partnership with Carbonfund.org, the nation’s leading provider of voluntary climate solutions, to reduce the carbon footprint of this global industry event. Carbonfund.org will offset the approximately 20,000 tons of carbon associated with the International CES by investing in a combination of certified renewable energy, reforestation and energy efficiency projects.

Attendees will have the opportunity to offset their airline travel via www.CESweb.org and with kiosks on the show floor.

CEA said its calculations do not even factor in the carbon savings due to CES. For example, CEA estimates that by offsetting CES and consolidating trips otherwise necessary for the same meetings, the net savings in travel miles is more than 700 million miles.

A CES TechZone will debut that is dedicated to environmentally and economically sustainable technologies. To remind attendees of their offsetting options and provide tips for a “greener” CES experience, CEA will produce a “Greening CES” TV segment to be broadcast in all attendee hotel rooms, and attendees will also have more opportunities to recycle aluminum cans, plastic, paper and glass at CES.

CEA said 75 percent of all food containers and utensils used by the Las Vegas Convention Center to serve CES attendees will be fully biodegradable and all surplus food will be donated to the Las Vegas Rescue Mission, recycled carpet will be used throughout the Central Hall of the LVCC, and all attendee literature will be printed on post-consumer recycled paper with soy ink. Only non-hazardous cleaning solvents and soaps will be used by LVCC staff, and all light bulbs, batteries and electronics used by the show will be recycled and diverted from landfills.