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RSNA is committed to hosting one of the greenest and cleanest tradeshows in the industry.

Energy Conservation:

• The convention center is minimizing energy by reducing lights, power, and HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) during move-in/move-out in exhibit halls and in meeting rooms when not in use.
• The convention center purchases 10% of their annual electricity from renewable sources.
• Incandescent lamps have been replaced with compact fluorescent throughout the convention center.
• Metra train transportation servicing the convention center and three downtown stations, where numerous hotels are within walking distance, is complimentary to meeting attendees throughout the week.
• In an effort to encourage carpooling, shared cab transportation options available at the convention center allow attendees to pay a flat per-person fare to hotels, restaurants and other attractions.
• RSNA encourages the use of Go Airport Express Shuttle Services - traveling in a shared airport shuttle saves 58% of a person’s carbon footprint compared to traveling in a taxi.

Water Conservation:

• The convention center will serve drinking water from large containers with recyclable plastic cups, rather than individual plastic bottles.
• Caterer will use water-saving strategies like not pre-filling drinking glasses at meal functions or placing saucers under coffee cups.

Resource Conservation:

• Collection bins will be stationed throughout the convention center for badges, lanyards, Meeting Programs and bags.
• Recycling receptacles will be stationed throughout the convention center for paper, bottles, cans and general waste.
• The convention center utilizes a waste disposal partner which sorts waste and recyclables separately to determine more accurate facility diversion rates. They have developed a system to improve their ability to separate construction-related waste from the exhibit halls. The diversion rate* for RSNA 2008 was 70% - an improvement of 13% over 2007.
• Many RSNA resources are now paperless including: the Exhibitor Service Kit, CME certificates, and online registration.
• The Meeting Program and Subspecialty Content brochures are available electronically.
• Any printed meeting publications are printed on recycled and/or recyclable, chlorine-free paper with a soy-based ink.
• The meeting bags are made of recycled materials and any unused/returned bags are donated to a local charity.
• All excess food will be donated to a local food bank.
• Exhibitors are requested to recycle cardboard and freight materials, minimize packaging, and minimize collateral material distribution.

Environmental Purchases:

• The convention center is using "green seal" certified cleaning products and restroom products are 100% post-consumer recycled content paper.
• The caterer is using beverage cups, plates, straws and cutlery that are fully biodegradable. Styrofoam and polystyrene plastic products have been completely eliminated.
• The service contractor is providing recyclable carpet and eco-friendly exhibit packages and re-usable signage material wherever possible. All carpet that becomes non-usable after the meeting is recycled into drainage pipe.

Hotel & Restaurant Initiatives:

• Chicago has more Green Seal certified hotels than any other city in the nation - click here to see the entire list.
• The Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op (www.buygreenchicago.org) recently announced the launch of Guaranteed Green, a new program that helps Chicago-area diners identify and support local restaurants that take significant steps toward protecting the environment.

*Diversion Rate Definition: The percentage of waste materials diverted from traditional disposal such as land filling or incineration to be recycled, composted, or re-used.