The Knoxville Convention Center is proud to announce that it is the FIRST convention center in Tennessee to be Green Certified through the TN Green Hospitality Certification program.

Going, going, gone...GREEN that is! The Knoxville Convention Center is proud to be an environmentally friendly facility. The Center staff has put in place a number of initiatives as part of a sustainable program to improve the surrounding environment.

One program developed was The Green Team which is made up of core departmental KCC staff in concert with our vendor suppliers. The Green Team monitors and institutes new "green" practices to keep the staff, community, and guests aware of the environmental support we give and live every day.

Greenery & Landscaping:

• Changes to outdoor landscaping reduced water consumption by planting more perennials, which have a lower water requirement compared to annuals.
• Live trees inside the facility aid in cleaning the air and a creating a healthier environment by reducing the Volatile Organic Compounds and also support the oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange.

Recycled Materials:

• The Convention Center has implemented single stream recycling which allow all recycled materials to be put in the same container for greater efficiency and less waste. Recycled material include: paper, cardboard, aluminum, steel, glass, plastic and mixed paper products.
• All stationery, brochures and business cards are being printed on recycled paper.
• All restroom paper products meet U.S. EPA standards for post-consumer wastepaper content and is biodegradable.

Waste reduction:

• Shredded paper products are recycled to use for packing material
• Automated paper towel dispensers with recycled paper installed in restrooms.
• Automated biodegradable foam soap dispensers are installed in all restrooms.
• Additionally the toilet tissue is core free of a cardboard insert to reduce waste.

Cleaning:

• Cleaning products are all biodegradable and less toxic to the environment
• Employees responsible for cleaning have been trained in “green cleaning” techniques and product usage. Use of green chemicals, chemical dispensers which properly distribute the concentration. Use of microfiber cleaning rags and mops, both of which eliminate the spread of germs and bacteria.
• Installed a "Plumb-It" system to kitchen drains which helps keep drain lines clean and reduce grease caught in grease trap.

Energy Wise:

• With abundant natural lighting available in the concourses, the need for facility lighting is diminished whenever possible.
• Window tinting along the west side of the building and on the skylights has been completed which lowers the temperature of public concourses.
• Redesigned the domestic hot water supply to allow the "high pressure" boiler to be turned off when it is not needed, thus lowering energy consumption.
• Installed motion sensitive light switches in high traffic restrooms and break rooms that will automatically turn off if forgotten.
• Waterless urinals installed to reduce waste water.
• Lighting in some areas has been replaced with Smart bulbs.
• Lighting system controlled by technicians allows lighting levels to be at 50% during event move-in and move out, and 100% only during event hours in occupied space.
• Installation of carbon dioxide (CO2) monitors throughout the building.

Food & Beverage Department:

• Re-useable food and beverage containers are sought after in the kitchen and returned to purveyors to use again.
• Non-perishable un-served food is receives a second life at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Knoxville. Currently we are the largest supplier of prepared food in Knox County.
• Cooking oil is recycled for use in the creation of other products.

Future Projects:

• Plan to replace the "high pressure" boiler with more energy efficient pulse boilers which allow for the boiler usage to be decreased once desired temperature is reached.
• 75-90% of lighting will be replaced in the future with energy efficient lighting to include induction and L.E.D. lighting.