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Annual ministry convention commits to being as environmentally friendly as possible
Grand Rapids, Mich., Jan. 4 – The National Pastors Convention (NPC), an annual national gathering for all people in ministry presented by Zondervan in partnership with InterVarsity Press, is going green this year. Special thought and preparation has gone into making this year's event of weeklong activities as environmentally friendly as possible.
Public venues and events on average generate 244 pounds of waste material per hundred visitors (or 2.4 pounds per person), according to the California Targeted Statewide Waste Characterization Study. NPC will be held at the Town and Country resort and convention center in San Diego, Calif. from February 26-29 and anticipates nearly 3,000 attendees will be there to nourish their souls, engage their minds, and connect in meaningful conversations. This would create an estimated 6,000 pounds of waste without the green efforts.
"The National Pastors Convention wants to create an environment that inspires and delights those in ministry while taking care of the environment God has created for us," says Joe Sherman, vice president of pastor and church engagement at Zondervan. "Our hope is that attendees will take these green initiatives beyond their time here and put them into practice in their own communities, churches, and homes."
NPC is doing various things to promote earth care, including:
- Using electronic advertising, promotion, registration, and confirmation
- Providing information about NPC online
- Encouraging our sponsors to reduce, reuse, and recycle their materials
- Using silverware instead of plastic stir sticks for coffee and hot beverages
- Utilizing table cloths made from cloth instead of paper wherever possible
- Serving condiments generally in large containers, instead of individual packets
- Teaming up with the Town and Country and a local Waste Management System to recycle paper, beverage containers, corrugated paper, and numerous other materials
- Digitizing promotional material for sponsors, eliminating excess paper and printing
- Providing each attendee with a reusable event water bottle and cloth NPC bag
Attendees are encouraged to do their part through the following:
- Utilizing the recycling collection containers found near beverage stations and all main traffic areas
- Requesting linens and towels not be washed daily by using the card provided by the Town and Country in each hotel room
- Using provided event water bottles throughout the week to eliminate plastic and paper cup waste
- Eliminating excess plastic bags by using the cloth NPC bag to shop at the NPC store
Early-bird discount registration has been extended to January 15. For more information or to register, visit www.NationalPastorsConvention.com.
The National Pastors Convention (NPC) is the event division of Zondervan, a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. NPC is also the name of the annual national gathering for all people in ministry, the objective of which is to help attendees "nourish your soul, engage your mind, and connect in meaningful conversation." Whether through workshops, retreats, regional conferences, virtual seminars, or critical concern courses, NPC events bring together "doers of the Word" for replenishment, revitalization, and education. Learn more about NPC by calling 1-866-429-0828 or visiting www.NationalPastorsConvention.com.
GREEN STATISTICS
The average person generated 4.6 lbs of municipal solid waste, with a recovery rate of 1.5 lbs, per day in 2006.
Source: U.S. EPA Municipal Solid Waste Facts and Figures 2006, www.epa.gov/msw/msw99.htm
Public venues and events on average generate 244 pounds of waste material per hundred visitors per day (or 2.4 lbs per person, per day). Of the total waste generation, about 29% or 72 pounds, is diverted (from a landfill) per hundred visitors.
Source: The California Targeted Statewide Waste Characterization Study www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Venues/Analysis/
If a 5-day event serves 2200 people breaks, breakfasts, lunches and receptions using china instead of plastic disposables, it prevents 1,890 lbs. of plastic from going into a landfill.
Source: Convention Industry Council's Green Meetings Report http://www.conventionindustry.org/projects/green_meetings_report.pdf
During a typical 5-day conference, 2,500 attendees will use 62,500 plates, 87,500 napkins, 75,000 cups or glasses and 90,000 cans or bottles.
Source: The Meeting Professional www.mpiweb.org/CMS/mpiweb/mpicontent.aspx?id=3370
In 2006, estimated residential waste (including waste from apartment houses) to be 55% to 65% of the total municipal solid waste generation. Waste from schools and commercial locations, such as hospitals and businesses, amounted to 35% to 45%.
Source: U.S. EPA Municipal Solid Waste Facts and Figures 2006, www.epa.gov/msw/msw99.htm
During the 1999 Woodstock festival, approximately 1,200 tons of waste were created and landfilled. Assuming that 25% of this waste consisted of paper goods -- cups, napkins, programs, and other items -- the recycling of solely these products would equate to the conservation of 5,100 trees, 2.1 million gallons of water, and 1.2 million kWh of electricity.
Source: Meeting Strategies Worldwide Live Earth Report
There are convention centers have implemented sustainable design and construction practices that will significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of meeting facilities on the environment. Two convention centers (Oregon Convention Center in Portland and David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh) have become Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified within the last couple of years.
Source: Successful Meetings September 2006 issue of titled "Meeting for a Greener Future," www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/articles/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003119125
Zondervan, a
HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling
Bibles,
books,
audio,
video,
curriculum,
software, and
digital products through its
Zondervan,
eZondervan,
Zonderkidz,
Youth Specialties,
Editorial Vida, and
National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by
Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at
www.zondervan.com (mobile site:
zvan.mobi).