Green Initiatives

OVG360 is dedicated to designing and building facilities that are environmentally responsible, safe and healthy. We are committed to perfecting the entertainment lifestyle by conserving precious resources which save the environment and save you money. Below are a few examples of what we are doing to stay green.

GREEN INITIATIVES

Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy

Member of the Iowa Chapter of the Green Building Council.
Participating in MidAmerican Energy’s load shedding program by running off our generator when they approach their peak for energy usage, which reduces our KW load with MidAmerican Energy.
LED lights in offices, aisle lights in the Wells Fargo Arena retractable seating sections, exterior sidewalk lighting, elevators, concourses, catwalk and hallways.
All stairwell lighting reduced by de-lamping, installing extra-long lift lamps along with motion and ambient light sensors for a 90% reduction in energy.
216 fluorescent light fixtures in Hy-Vee Hall recently replaced mercury halide lights. These fixtures have saved the Iowa Events Center $1,500 per month in energy costs.
Replaced all 1000W metal halide sports lighting in Wells Fargo Arena with fewer 355W LED sport lighting for a 72% energy reduction each year.
Infrared and sonic sensors in 32 public restrooms, which turns the lights off after 15 minutes of non-activity.
During the hockey season when non-hockey events are scheduled in Wells Fargo Arena, the ice is covered and one chiller is used versus four, which leads to a large reduction of energy.

Water

Setting hot water temperatures in restrooms to 122°, instead of the standard 160°.

Waste and Recycling

Placed a number of recycling bins alongside trash cans, in offices and at public events.
Single sort recycling ensures all cardboard, aluminum, paper, plastic and glass is recycled throughout the facilities. In the past three years—since we began tracking—we’ve recycled over 630,000 pounds within the Iowa Events Center campus.
Currently participate in an organic composting program partnership with Green RU. This allows the Iowa Events Center to compost all food scraps and discarded food, meat renderings, and waxed and wet cardboard and paper. In the past three years—since we began tracking—we’ve composted over 256,000 pounds within the Iowa Events Center campus.
During the 14 month Community Choice Convention Center at Veterans Memorial renovation project—between 2010–2012— 98% of all construction material was recycled.

Responsible Purchasing

Banned bleach from cleaning products in favor of hydrogen peroxide-based solutions.
Most of our green chemicals we use come as a solid which is much more concentrated than typical concentrated liquid chemicals. This reduces the amount of chemical shipped and packaged, resulting in safe green chemicals for our staff to use.

Education and Communication

Conduct retro commissioning studies to determine and correct inefficiencies with our building mechanics to reduce energy.

EAT GREATER DES MOINES

Food Rescue Program

Food rescue is the process of collecting donated food from restaurants, caterers, and other food service providers, and distributing that food to people in need through local social service organizations. In the food business, predicting exact levels of demand can be a challenge. As a result, there is often safe prepared food left unsold at the end of a shift, event, or work day. Such food can be put to good use through a food rescue program, which handles pickup of donated food and distribution to agencies that serve people who are food insecure.

The Iowa Events Center participates in this program and is currently partnering weekly with Scavo High School to provide quality and healthy food to students. This resouce is an important one, that supports and encourages academic participation, attendance and success.