CES goes green

One of the main beefs ecochick has with society as a whole is the outrageous waste that happens when a whole bunch of humans get together in one place. You put 300 people on an airplane, and you end up with 300 empty plastic trays, cups, knives, forks, spoons, plastic wrap, napkins, etc. all heading for the landfill. You put 140,000 geeks in an exhibit hall in Las Vegas for a conference, and you can only imagine what's generated. Empty plastic water bottles, fast food containers, castoff swag, brochures... the list goes on.

This year, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (also known as CES) has made a very conscious, deliberate effort to go green. Among their initiatives, they have done the following (taken from the CES blog:

• In partnership with Discovery Channel's Planet Green network (launching soon), we're making CES carbon neutral by working with CarbonFund.org. CarbonFund will invest in energy efficiency, renewable energy and reforestation projects to offset the emissions created by every inch of CES space, all show freight, the shuttle buses and 600,000 hotel rooms will be offset via investments. (In fact, we're quite proud to say that CES will be the largest carbon neutral tradeshow EVER!)
  
• Most of (75%) of the food containers and utensils used at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) will be fully biodegradable.
  
• More recycling containers throughout the show floor.
  
• All leftover food and beverages from the LVCC will be donated to the Las Vegas Rescue Mission.
  
• Recycled carpet used in the Central Hall of the LVCC.
  
• Post-consumer recycled paper with soy ink will be used for all attendee literature.
  
• Non-hazardous cleaning solvents and soaps will be used by the LVCC staff.
  
• All light bulbs, batteries and electronics used will be recycled.
  
• More conference sessions dedicated to the environment, the Sustainable Technologies TechZone in South Hall and the Emerging Countries Program, which also focuses on sustainable development.

Nice. And ecochick will be there, bringing to you the latest in Green Innovation. See you in Vegas!