2014 Winter Conference - Green Meeting

Protecting our shared environment and the planet is of fundamental importance to the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and its members. To support this common goal, the Association and the Hyatt Regency Miami, are working together to make sure that the 2013 Winter Conference is an environmentally friendly experience by:

Meeting Materials

• NACWA has significantly reduced printed materials for conferences, and prints only what is necessary to the success of the conference.  All information on the conference is available at www.nacwa.org/14winter.  
• Materials that are printed for our meetings are printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper that is made with a minimum of 10% post consumer waste.
• NACWA lanyards are made from 100% post consumer plastic, mostly plastic bottles.  
• The sponsored Key Cards are made from a minimum of 20% post consumer plastic.
• All NACWA Signage is made from reusable materials.  The NACWA Sponsorship Bio-Banner is made from the new revolutionary biodegradable PVC material.  When placed in a landfill, the Bio-Banner will literally vanish within 3-5 years unlike other vinyl banners that remain unchanged for decades.
• NACWA staff also will be reducing paper usage as much as possible onsite, using ENERGY STAR certified computers and adopting other “green office” practices.

Recycling of Materials

• Recycling bins for bottles, paper, aluminum and glass are available in the hotel throughout meeting rooms, guest rooms and at breaks.
• Following the conclusion of the meeting, be sure to stop by NACWA’s registration desk to drop off your badge and lanyard – NACWA strives to recycle and reuse as many meeting materials as possible.

Other NACWA Meeting Policies

• NACWA offers tap water at our conferences, so that we can all enjoy the product of our member’s labors and reduce waste.

La Fonda on the Plaza Hotel Environmental Policies

• All housekeeping guestroom cleaning supplies are green; additionally the hotel uses low-VOC paints for walls.
• Paper consumption has been reduced by relying on email and message boards, as well as washable cloth napkins, towels and tablecloths.        
• The hotel has installed energy efficient climate control and upgraded insulation in all guest rooms, for energy conservation.       
• This property recycles cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminum and paper and all guest rooms have recycling bins.  
• The hotel participates in a linen and towel reuse program which allows guests to choose whether or not they would like to save water and not wash towels throughout the duration of their stay.  Linens are changed every fourth day, and in the restaurant, water is only served by request.         
• The Housekeeping Department donates lightly used soft goods and amenities to local charities.
• The Hotel has low flow flush toilets in the bathrooms, low flow faucets showerheads.    
• Whenever possible, the restaurant and catering department sources locally grown food in their menus, and the restaurant cooking oil is donated for recycling to bio diesel.
• The Hotel has installed energy-efficient, double pane guest room windows.
• The property reduces electricity demand by using energy-saving light bulbs, hand dryers, flat-screen televisions, and automatic lights in basement storerooms.  They also recycle computer equipment and fluorescent bulbs.