Greentech Lead America: The Consumer Electronics
Association (CEA), owner and producer of the International CES, has recycled 75
percent of show materials of the 2012 International CES in Las Vegas.
This year, CEA collected more than 35,700 square feet,
equivalent to 20,000 pounds, of magnetic banners, 28,600 square feet of vinyl
banners, 16,000 square feet of other show signs and materials and almost 50,000
pounds of show publications to recycle and repurpose.
“Every year, we work tirelessly to make the International
CES even more environmentally sustainable than the year before. This year, we
exceeded years past, increasing the overall reuse and recycle rate to 75
percent of all CES materials,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president, events
and conferences, CEA. Â
By repurposing used vinyl banners from the 2011
International CES, CEA commissioned the creation of 190,000 badge holders
for the 2012 show. Following the 2012 CES, CEA collected 11,000 of those
recycled badge holders and will repurpose them for a third life at the 2013
International CES next January.
In addition to the continued greening of the
International CES, CEA also supports green nonprofits near the site of the show
in Las Vegas. This year, CEA donated $50,000 to Green Chips, a local Las Vegas
charity supporting sustainable initiatives including solar panel installations.
The donated funds will go toward new solar panels at the
Las Vegas Rescue Mission, which serves those in need in Southern Nevada by
providing food, clothing, shelter, and ongoing services and programs.
CEA also donated a $25,000 to Repurpose America, which
will take signs and other materials from the 2012 CES to repurpose as new sun
shade structures at two local community centers in Las Vegas.
Electronics makers and retailers increase recycling drop-off
locations to 7,500 from 5,000
Recently, CEA launched GreenerGadgets.org to educate
consumers about eCycling and energy consumption. By entering a ZIP code, anyone
can locate the closest responsible recycling opportunity sponsored by the CE
industry and/or third-party certified recycler.