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Sustainable Pittsburgh Pitches Green Ideas For G20

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Aug 19, 2009 8:38 pm US/Eastern

Sustainable Pittsburgh Pitches Green Ideas For G20

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Pittsburgh's penchant for "green" is a primary reason our city was picked as a backdrop for the G-20 summit - not the greenery covering Mt. Washington's hillsides but the cutting-edge technology that makes the David L. Lawrence Convention Center the first and largest building of its kind in the world.

"Environmentally speaking we're going to be looking at the Convention Center and other venues to be, let's say, reducing the amount of waste that they're generating," Ginette Walker Vinski of Sustainable Pittsburgh said.

She wants to make sure that "people, the planet, and profits" are considered as decisions are made for the G-20 before the hoards of international journalists and VIP's arrive.

"Make sure that this is going to be a truly green event," Vinski adds.

When Phipps Conservatory hosts the G-20 welcoming reception and working dinner - the table settings might be compostable.

"Some of those recommendations are using biodegradable silverware, biodegradable plates, recyclable glasses," Vinski said.

The lobby at the Regional Enterprise Tower will be converted into a media center opening September 1st. During the G-20 week it will be open and staffed 24-7.

Waste minimization practices, LED or compact fluorescent bulbs are encouraged along with double-sided copies and recycled paper.

We already know that getting around the city is going to be a challenge. But Sustainable Pittsburgh has a few green alternative ideas like hybrid vehicles, and bicycles.

"So that they can ride in a hybrid taxi cab for example. We've also spoken to the folks from the pedi-cab group," Vinski said.

Thousands of pages of printed materials will be produced during and for the G-20.

Printers like Gary Friedman use a "green" approach at Trust-Franklin Printing on the South Side – 100 percent recycled paper, soy and vegetable-based inks and recycling scraps.

He's hoping for a piece of the G-20 pie.

"Absolutely, we'd love it!"

Sustainable Pittsburgh will be pitching their list of green recommendation to the Allegheny Conference and the G-20 Partnership.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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