2008 Int'l CES Will 'Go Green'

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 ... and making strides toward offsetting our unavoidable emissions."

CEA has formed a partnership with Carbonfund.org, which will offset the approximately 20,000 tons of carbon associated with 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 at the show.

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 "green" CES TechZone will debut. 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 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 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 will be recycled and diverted from landfills.