Wind power comprises 99% of Texan “Green Energy” and, amazingly, the George R. Brown Convention Center is powered from 100% green energy. For more information, we encourage you to view the center’s Green and Brown Facts worksheet.
At The Event in particular, we are working to “grow up and green up” our training labs to eliminate unnecessary waste and create greater efficiencies during your classes at the expo. For instance, all spent coffee grounds will be collected for composting. Additionally, we are starting to transition to 100% recycled AND 100% recyclable conference signage.
The impact that we, as conference attendees, have on the environment is partially offset by international carbon sequestration projects in partnership with Trees for the Future. This year, carbon offsets (in the form of trees) go directly towards the portrait country, Brazil, and we encourage you to continue supporting the program by offsetting your travel, and even shipping, when registering for The Event online.
Lastly, as our way of recognizing an individual or company making great strides to be more sustainable and pave the way for future leaders, we will announce the 2011 Sustainability Award winner at the opening ceremonies of The Event! To apply, click here and stay tuned for the top three finalists to be announced early December. Deadline for applications is November 15th. 
Debbye
November 15, 2010
Yep, I agree with you Julie! As with anything, all I can do is model different behavior and educate people on this very subject. What would be really great would be to somehow funnel the 'cupping' cups out to the conference attendees. I think they just get tossed out; washing hundreds of cups really isn't a practical option.
What is exciting to me is to, finally, see so many individuals and companies realize the impact their actions have on the rest of the world. More and more often the bottom line includes more than a hefty profit, there is a realization there can be no profit if we don't find a way to support everyone on the chain.
Like it says, 'the SCAA Event is growing up and growing green!' Awareness of the impact takes a little time–sort of like a dance, a couple of steps forward and a couple steps back but I like to think the dance a success as long as we gain ground. Just keep talking Julie, people are listening!
This year I'll bring my own cup to The Event. I'll encourage my colleagues to do the same! Let's watch your idea spread….
Julie
November 9, 2010
The thing that makes me cringe the most at SCAA events are the thousands of paper cups used for 10 seconds for a sample and then discarded. For the past 3 years, my husband and I have carried our own Barista Guild shot glasses. Can SCAA give away inexpensive, reusable sampling cups, or encourage vendors to use cut down on this horrendous waste somehow? I'd bet the majority of those little cups come from virgin wood.The thing that makes me cringe the most at SCAA events are the thousands of paper cups used for 10 seconds for a sample and then discarded. For the past 3 years, my husband and I have carried our own Barista Guild shot glasses. Can SCAA give away inexpensive, reusable sampling cups, or encourage vendors to use cut down on this horrendous waste somehow? I'd bet the majority of those little cups come from virgin wood, and they are all destined for the landfill.
Coffee & Conservation (http://www.coffeehabitat.com)