The Minneapolis Convention Center announced today that it has been LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which ranks buildings and communities for improved environmental and human-health performance.

"Achieving LEED certification is more than implementing sustainable practices," said CEO Mahesh Ramanujam of the USGBC in a prepared statement. "It represents a commitment to making the world a better place and influencing others to do better.

"Given the extraordinary importance of climate protection and the central role of the building industry… the Minneapolis Convention Center demonstrates its leadership…"

The convention center's sustainability measures include:

  • Installing a 250,000-gallon storm water system that diverts an estimated 5.4 million gallons of runoff rainwater annually from the Mississippi River that is used for facility-grounds irrigation.
  • Offsetting energy usage by 100 percent with solar and wind power.
  • Recycling 60 percent of waste in 2016, including 160 tons of organics for hog feed and composting; donating four tons of food per year and creating a signature garden that's inviting for bees, butterflies and other essential pollinators.

"It is our responsibility, not only as meetings and events leaders, but also as citizens of the world to think beyond the walls of our facility and how our actions impact the community at large," said Jeff Johnson, executive director of the Minneapolis Convention Center. "We strive to use our resources responsibly at the MCC, and it became clear we needed to take bold steps to change our primary source of irrigation among other efficiency efforts. This mindset has become the cornerstone of our sustainability program and guides our efforts to be the best facility possible for our clients, our staff and the community."