TFC Recycling Helps Convention Center Achieve LEED Gold Certification

The Virginia Beach Convention Center has been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System Gold certification for existing buildings. The City of Virginia Beach and TFC Recycling worked with the convention center staff to achieve high marks for the design, construction and operation of the high performance green building.

Through the joint effort, they are developing and implementing a recycling program with the convention center’s sustainability initiative, according to TFC.

As part of the program, TFC’s special event containers are placed throughout the facility encourage recycling by visitors. The convention center also owns two machines that compact the commingled recyclable materials, which are later transported to the sorting facility at TFC.

“With a helping hand from the City of Virginia Beach and TFC, the convention center earned many points for recycling, water and energy efficiency, not to mention innovative ideas that minimize environmental impact,” says Ed Farmer, vice president of Business Development for TFC Recycling. “We are proud to be working so closely with such green-minded partners and to help them achieve the goal of having events with a very small environmental impact.”

The convention center notes that it is the first building of its kind in the country to be certified in the category for large commercial existing buildings. The US Green Building Council developed the rating system to measure operation, maintenance and improvement of green buildings.

“The City of Virginia Beach is a strong proponent of eco-friendly programs and events in Hampton Roads. It does not surprise me that the convention center has earned a top rating for green buildings,” said Farmer. “Virginia Beach was the first city in the region to successfully launch our curbside recycling program. This is just one more step forward.”