Sustainability Initiatives & Partners

Discover ACS Spring 2025's sustainability initiatives and business partners that are focusing on energy, reducing plastic waste, saving fuel, and conserving trees. Join us in making a greener event!

Sustainability Intiatives

Focus on Energy

  • Measure and track energy use at the convention center and meeting hotels (carbon emissions, water and electricity used, pounds of material recycled and composted)

Reducing Plastic Waste

  • Water refilling stations available at Convention Center, and water coolers are provided in all meeting rooms at governance hotels, reducing need for bottled water
  • Provide glassware next to water coolers where available (Embassy Suites and Hyatt Regency)
  • Eliminate aisle carpeting in Expo Hall (also saves energy and fuel)

Saving on Fuel

  • Utilize hotel shuttle company which purchases carbon offsets on ACS’ behalf
  • Concentrated number of meeting venues within walking distance, reducing the number of shuttles needed
  • Ordering locally produced food and beverage, where available, and labeling local ingredients used in buffet meals
  • Use locally grown florals in arrangements; rent green plants

Saving Trees

  • Badges – use recyclable paper, no plastic holder, lanyards and clips are biodegradable
  • Use digital signage. When physical signage is needed, it is created with recyclable materials and made evergreen when possible to re-use
  • Digital program provided on website and mobile app
  • Digital presenter certificates 
  • Use badge scanners instead of paper drink tickets at SciMix

Demonstrating Commitment to Being More Sustainable

  • Partner with meeting vendors who share our sustainability goals
  • Communicate ACS’s sustainability efforts at Spring 2025 in mobile app, website, and emails
  • Encourage attendees to take individual actions at the meeting to be more sustainable by providing a list of tips
  • Provide sustainability tips in exhibitor monthly newsletter

Sustainable Venues

City of San Diego

San Diego Convention Center

  • 50% of energy usage is from renewable sources
  • Water filling stations throughout the building
  • Clearly labeled waste receptacles for recycling, paper, compost, and landfill
  • Outdoor landscaping uses drought-resistant plants to reduce need for watering
  • Walkable to many hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions

Catering at the San Diego Convention Center 

  • Composts all food scraps
  • Coordinate with community partners to donate unserved food to regional nonprofits
  • Uses locally sourced (within 150) miles produce, seafood, and other products as season permits

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

  • No single use plastics are used or distributed in the hotel
  • Leftover banquet food is donated to a local homeless shelter
  • Water bottle filling stations located throughout the hotel
  • LED lights used on the roof and lightwall display to reduce energy usage
  • Leftover housekeeping amenities are donated to Clean the World
  • Laundry department reclaims 70% of water through filtering and re-using for additional wash loads

Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

  • LEED New Construction Certified
  • Installed low-flow plumbing fixtures, resulting in a 36% reduction of indoor water usage
  •  90% of public spaces use LED bulbs to reduce energy usage
  • Rooftop beekeeping provides over 12 gallons of local honey to the hotel annually

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

  • Holds Bronze status in TripAdvisor’s GreenLeader program
  • 500 lbs per month of over-production food items are donated to “Chefs to End Hunger” program to create meal kits
  • Gives back to the community through Hyatt Thrive initiatives, including volunteer service and donations

Sustainable Vendors

Freeman

Signage, Expo and Freight

  • Signage – uses recyclable material and eco-friendly ink
  • Recycle and re-purpose carpeting and fabric drape
  • Enforce engine idling policies at all locations

Seat Planners

Shuttle

  • Provides carbon offset donation on behalf of ACS, according to the carbon footprint utilized by shuttles at ACS Spring and Fall meetings.
  • Design shuttle routes to maximize fuel efficiency

Get Support

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Contacts for registration, hotel, presenter support or any other questions.

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