Los Angeles Meeting & Travel Professionals Guide 2008/2009 - (Page 14) Going green in LA Bring your clients to LA and give them a chance to take advantage of the area’s sustainable, earth-friendly offerings. Here’s an introduction to some of LA’s best greenfriendly businesses. from tree sap to contemporary furniture crafted from recycled materials, green is in style all over town. Check out one of the local shops selling green products — Livingreen for home decorating and remodeling supplies and Reform School for unique gifts made from recycled materials. If you’re looking for fashion, stop by Undesigned by Carol Young, whose trendsetting, eco-chic designs are making a splash in fashion-conscious circles all over the country. Smooth and serene, her clothing lines make you look fabulous and are fabulous for the earth, too. The Caltrans District 7 Headquarters is an award-winning building with an exterior skin of photovoltaics capable of producing a significant percentage of the building’s electricity. At the Audubon Center at Debs Park, the building is entirely off the grid, earning the highest possible rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. LAX is getting into the act with its Green Building Policy and recycling programs, and is expected to meet and exceed Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s citywide recycling goal of 70 percent by 2015. In addition, the airport will incorporate the highest possible LEED standards in all future construction projects. The Los Angeles Convention Center, already the largest solar energy-generating convention center in North America, is now a LEED-EB certified building. dInIng LA’s top restaurants recognize the value of serving organic, locally grown produce, sustainable seafood and naturally raised, hormone-free meats. At restaurants such as Osteria Mozza — certified by the Green Restaurant Association — celebrity chefs Nancy Silverton and Mario Batali are leading the charge. Some restaurants are using biodegradable soup containers while others are helping the environment by integrating compost piles into their operations. Ciudad, Wilshire, Luckyfish and Akasha are even eliminating bottled water, while tech-savvy establishments such as The Lobster have installed solar panels for energy efficiency. arcHItecture LA was the first city to require that cityowned buildings be built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) specifications, the internationally recognized standard for constructing environmentally friendly buildings. In addition to sustainable architecture, the city has invested in renewable energy to power its industries. In fact, nearly 10 percent of all LA’s energy comes from renewable resources, including solar and wind power. rental cars If your clients need to rent a car but want to minimize their carbon footprints, check out one of LA’s enviro-friendly rental agencies. Advantage Rent A Car and Midway Car Rental offer a variety of hybrid vehicles that’ll go easy on the wallet with their excellent fuel sHoPPIng You can shop ’til you drop for eco-friendly products in LA. From designer shoes made 14
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