In addition to asking General Synod delegates and attendees to print their own meeting materials, the UCC has requested and received documentation of implemented 'green' initiatives from the DeVos Place convention center and Grand Rapids area hotels.

Although a resolution calling for the UCC to strive to employ environmentally friendly meeting policies is on the agenda for General Synod 27, Edith Guffey, associate general minister of the UCC, says her staff has worked toward these goals with this and previous Synod planning efforts.

"It's getting easier every year," says Guffey. "Most hotels and meeting facilities are making their green initiatives public now. It's not only good for the environment, but saves everyone money in the long run."

She says the Grand Rapids visitor's bureau called attention to the city's ecological initiatives during its selection process. This important criteria helped the UCC align its meeting practice goals with potential host cities' capabilities.

While there is no standardized green certification process available for convention centers, similar criteria used for hotels are included in DeVos Place's environmental initiatives.

The convention center has utilized the common "reduce, reuse, recycle" moniker to categorize its program. Reduction includes the use of low-flow toilets, recycled paper products, compact fluorescent lighting (CFL), green housekeeping products and an employee education program. Employees are also encouraged to use alternative transportation, such as bicycling and mass transit, along with carpooling.

Reuse is encouraged through recyclable food containers, city-wide composting, employee use of reusable drink containers and the donation of obsolete office equipment to charities.

Recycling at DeVos Place has also been prioritized. Repositories for recyclable products along with employee awareness and eco-friendly office practices help the convention center maintain lower levels of consumption.

Area hotels have their own green initiatives. Industry standard "low wash" practices encourage guests to reuse towels and eliminate daily bedding changes unless requested. Hotels have on-site glass, aluminum and CFL recycling; are using green cleaning products; have installed water-saving shower and faucet controls; and have committed to reduced consumption practices in their dining facilities.

The UCC's Collegium of Officers approved a plan this spring that requires the purchasing and sourcing of UCC identity or Covenanted Ministry-branded items and apparel - to be sold to UCC members and/or distributed at UCC events - be obtained from certified sustainable producers.

These policies and commitments all add up to the most environmentally friendly General Synod on record.

"When you get several thousand people together in one place it is going to have an environmental impact," says Guffey. "But we're doing our part to make sure we and those hosting us are doing our very best to be green."