Boise Centre, Idaho’s premier convention center, continues its tradition of participating in sustainability programs to the benefit of the meetings, tradeshows, and conventions held at its facility. In turn, the community is a beneficiary of the sustainability programs.

Last year Boise Centre’s extensive sustainability program directly benefiting the community included the donation of almost 6,000 thousand of pounds of food to the Boise Rescue Mission, participation with the Buy Idaho and Idaho Preferred programs supporting local farmers and ranchers to supply as much locally-produced food as possible and the use of locally produced wine products when possible.  In 2011, over one third of all wine purchases were from Idaho wineries.

Recycling efforts included:

• 6,300 pounds of kitchen compost was collected
• 5,850 pounds of coffee grounds were collected for composting
• 300 cases of wine bottles were recycled/donated

Boise Centre’s sustainability programs that reduce waste include

• Partnership with Allied Waste and Western Recycling to recycle all forms of paper, plastic and metal materials
• Designated onsite compactor for all recyclable materials
• Partnership with Sustainable Futures, a nonprofit company specializing in sterilizing glass wine bottles for resell to local wineries
• A composting program to provide composting materials to local neighborhood co-op farms
• All plastic cups, flatware, and “to go” boxes are made from corn products
• All paper cups, plates, and napkins are made from recycled, compostable paper products
• Use of china versus paper when possible
• Reducing paper waste by replacing traditional guest signage inside the facility with new digital technology

 Programs at the facility promoting more energy efficiency include:

• An upgraded fluorescent lighting system from T-12 to T-5 and T-5 HO
• Use of lighting controllers that reduce output by 50% when events are being set up or taken down
• New materials used in the renovation of the ballroom came from manufacturers using “green” practices whenever practical
• Controls on the chiller (the largest energy consumer at the Centre) that reduce energy use during slow periods
• New sensors were installed on the HVAC system reducing energy use
• New heating system for kitchen and service areas installed using geothermal energy

About Boise Centre

As the largest convention facility in Idaho, Boise Centre is a valuable economic catalyst for downtown Boise and lodging properties throughout the Greater Boise Auditorium District. Opened in 1990, Centre is located in the heart of downtown Boise, Idaho within walking distance of approximately eight hundred hotel rooms, a variety of restaurants, retail shops and entertainment attractions. As an operating entity of the Greater Boise Auditorium District, the 85,000 square foot Centre serves more than 145,000 guests and hosts over 230 events and conventions annually. Visit www.BoiseCentre.com or call 208-336-8900 for more information.