Arlington, Va. – The
Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), owner and producer of the 2012
International CES, announced the adoption of several new sustainability
practices at the 2012 show to be held in Las Vegas January 10-13.
New
this year, attendee badge holders are made from repurposed vinyl show banners
from last year’s show, and CEA will collect those badge holders at the end of
the 2012 CES to recycle them again.
Furthermore,
CES general services contractor Global Experience Specialists (GES) will
produce signs using a reusable, recyclable kraft paper honeycomb material. CEA
will also seek to collect even more magnetic, vinyl and cardboard show signs
for repurposing through a partnership with Repurpose America, a local nonprofit
focusing on tradeshow recycling, the association said.
Last
Year, Repurpose America collected roughly 18,000 pounds of magnetic signs from
the 2011 CES, nearly 15,000 square feet of vinyl banners and more than 150 foam
boards. In addition, CEA worked with contractors to recycle 289.6 tons of the
solid waste generated at CES and increased the event’s recycle rate from 68
percent to 77 percent, several points higher than the average recycle rate of
trade shows held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“Our
green and recycling efforts at the 2012 International CES are unprecedented for
the largest annual event in the western hemisphere, covering more than 1.8
million square feet and welcoming more than140,000 attendees,” said Gary
Shapiro, CEA president and CEO. “We’ve worked hard to ensure that we are using
the latest and greatest sustainability practices in producing CES.”
Along
with the greening of the International CES, CEA also supports local green
nonprofits. Last year, CEA gave $75,000 to Green Chips, a local Las Vegas
charity supporting solar power installations. That money was used to install
solar panels at a Las Vegas non-profit facility, resulting in substantial
savings that allowed the organization to devote more money to serve those in
need. CEA plans to make another donation benefiting Las Vegas and the
environment at the 2012 International CES.
The
International CES also allows attendees to reduce their carbon footprint
by gathering in one location. With each attendee reporting an average of 12
business meetings per CES, show participants collectively avoid more than 960
million miles in business trips that they otherwise would have to take. As a
result of attending CES and consolidating trips, the estimated net savings in
travel is more than 549 million miles, CEA said.
For
more information on sustainable materials used at the 2012 International CES
and other information on the greening of CES, go to
.
