Greening RSNA 2012

RSNA is committed to hosting one of the greenest and cleanest meetings in the industry. Here are some things RSNA and McCormick Place are doing, and how you can help.

Recycling

What we're doing:

• McCormick Place offers recycling receptacles throughout the convention center for paper, bottles, cans and general waste.
• RSNA offers recycling receptacles for programs, lanyards and badges throughout the building and donates any unused meeting bags to a local charity.
• Providing an expansive section of electronic documentation (Exhibitor Service Kit, CME certificates, online registration, online Meeting Program and the Subspecialty Content brochures) and use QR codes, and RSNA's collection of apps and mobile-optimized tools as an alternative to printed materials.
• Bussers will be sorting, recycling and composting in the South Food Court during RSNA.

What you can do:

• Dispose of recyclable material correctly into clearly marked bins.
• Deposit your unwanted bag, program, lanyard and badge in specially marked bins at the end of the meeting.
• Access the RSNA Meeting Program, Subspecialty Content Brochures and other materials electronically at RSNA2012.RSNA.org.

Energy Conservation

What we're doing:

• McCormick Place minimizes energy by reducing lights, power, escalators and HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) during move-in/move-out in the exhibit halls and meeting rooms when not in use.
• McCormick Place uses compact fluorescent lights throughout the convention center in place of incandescent lamps.
• To lower reliance on non-renewable, pollution-producing fossil fuels, McCormick Place purchases 10% of annual electricity needs from renewable sources.

What you can do:

• Turn off the lights, electronics and heat in your hotel room when it's unoccupied.

Food & Beverage Service

What we're doing:

• Savor Catering Service has eliminated the use of Styrofoam/polystyrene plastic products, uses biodegradable flatware, straws, serving dishes and cups in the food courts, offers reusable china or biodegradable plates, straws, cups and cutlery for catering functions and donates all excess food ta local food bank. (Fact: During RSNA 2011, over 2,100 pounds of food was donated.)
• Food selection sourcing, method and preparation and seasonality are taken into consideration when designing menus for both catering and restaurant operation—100% of seafood purchase meets the Marine Stewardship Council sourcing guidelines, fresh herbs and vegetables are grown seasonally on the West Building's Roof Top Garden (herbs are dehydrated and utilized in year round cooking production), and 100% of used cooking grease is converted tBi-fuel.

What you can do:

• Bring your own refillable coffee mug or beverage bottle and receive $.25 off any fresh brewed drip coffee or fountain beverage purchase at any of the food outlets at McCormick Place (excluding Connie's Pizza and McDonalds).
• Bring your own refillable water bottle or purchase one in the RSNA Store — fill up during the week at the large water dispensers throughout McCormick Place instead of plastic bottles and cups.

Transportation

What we're doing:

• McCormick Place reserves 5% of parking in Lot A for low-emitting and fuel efficient vehicles.
• Providing complimentary Metra Electric train service, shuttle buses, and discounted airport shuttle service via Go Airport Express; 50% of their fleet operates on propane auto gas or compressed natural gas (Fact: Traveling in a shared airport shuttle saves 60% of a person's carbon footprint compared to traveling in a taxi).

What you can do:

• Ride the complimentary Metra Electric trains, use the complimentary RSNA shuttle, share a cab with fellow registrants or book discounted airport shuttle service via Go Airport Express. Find out more on the Transportation page.

Additional Facts:

• McCormick Place:
  • The West Building attained Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Build Council.
  • Developed a Green Action Team which consists of key staff, contractor service providers and cleaning service providers who work within the facility to cooperatively provide an environmentally responsible facility and services.
  • Utilizes a waste disposal partner which sorts waste and recyclables separately to determine more accurate facility diversion rates. (Fact: The diversion rate* for RSNA 2011 was 63%.)
  • Uses “green seal” certified cleaning products and restroom products that are 100% post-consumer recycled content paper.
   
• Chicago:
  • Has more Green Seal certified hotels than any other city in the nation- these hotels adhere to stringent standards of energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling and waste reduction, and environmentally-conscious practices.
  • The Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op continues its Guaranteed Green 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.