The Branson Convention Center was recently recognized as being one of the best organizations in the State of Missouri for sustainability and recycling. The Convention Center won the “Outstanding Achievement” award, from the Missouri Recycling Association (MORA) during its September 12 state conference in Kansas City for the Convention Center’s success in energy conservation, waste management, procurement and community service.
“SMG Management and the Branson Convention Center are proud to be recognized for our long-term efforts in sustainability. Our team understands that thinking sustainably is better for our organization, the community and the nation’s resources,” said General Manager Marc Mulherin. “It is the wisest use of resources environmentally and financially. Thinking sustainably is good planning for the future and helps us compete in the national market.”
The Branson Convention Center, which is owned by the City of Branson, has achieved 48.22% total waste diversion in 2017 and continues to lead in waste reduction and energy conservation, through its S3 Serious Sustainable Synergy Team.
Energy use at the convention center has dropped 15.4% in three years through employee initiatives that include reduced escalator run times, creating lights-off policies and improving the heating and cooling schedules during non-peak use hours.
Procurement purchases include 100% recyclable paperboard products for food safe packaging and paper products are specified to be 35% post-consumer products. In addition, team members donated over 1,250 pounds of food to local community organizations. The Convention Center also has an on-site vegetable and herb garden, compost facility, and a “Mayors for Monarchs” landscaped garden.
The S3 “Serious Sustainability Synergy Team” has diverted eighty-three tons of solid waste from the landfill in 2017, including ten tons of recycled glass. Since 2014, the Branson Convention Center diverted 230 tons of solid waste from the landfill.