Environmental Statement

February 27, 2008 the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC received the Governor's "Minnesota Great Award."


This recognition honors excellence in businesses that preserve our environment through innovative practices preventing pollution and waste and improving resource efficiency leading to sustainability. Nominated by Susan Darley-Hill of Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, the Governor's Award was presented at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Air, Water and Waste Environmental Conference.


The DECC is a veteran player in a field where being "green" is suddenly in vogue. Since June 2003, the DECC has taken steps to integrate sound principles of environmental stewardship in its daily operations and long-range planning. This staff driven initiative continues to develop solutions to reduce waste, conserve resources and save energy, in a cost neutral or money-saving way. Many conventions and events continue to be attracted to the DECC in a desire to create greener events. The long-range vision developed several years ago not only positions the DECC to take advantage of its accomplishments in the current atmosphere, but ensures community benefits that will endure.


Read the MN Great Article

The DECC is committed to environmental stewardship in our community. You will notice our efforts throughout the facility.


  • We will coordinate with you to handle waste from your conference in a responsible manner.
  • We recycle aluminum, glass, plastic and paper.
  • Receptacles are located in every meeting room, lobby, hallway and restroom.
  • We participate in a local composting program in which nearly all of our biodegradable waste is composted.
  • We focus on package reduction and purchase biodegradable or recyclable products for every reasonable application.
  • We bail and sell all cardboard and the vinyl material used in our Exhibit Services Department for reuse.
  • We reduce energy with our turn-off-the-lights policy and with our conversion to surplus steam heat for heating and cooling.
  • We participate in Minnesota's Material Exchange and have an interdepartmental materials exchange.
  • Surplus food is donated to the local Second Harvest Food Bank which supplies many non-profit organizations who feed the local hungry population.
  • We are taking incremental, high-impact steps to reduce energy use, reuse products and food, and recycle much of the waste produced throughout our facility.

These efforts are simple yet yield great rewards throughout our community and within our facility.