The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority launched a new program that coordinates donations of non-perishable items from convention center events to non-profit organizations throughout Boston.
Called Conventions C.A.R.E (Community Assistance by Responsible Events), the program is intended to save exhibitors the time and expense of shipping unneeded goods after a show ends or to prevent items that will never be sent back from ending up in landfills. At the same time, the nonprofits benefit from useful donations. The program is now in place at both the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center.
MCCA piloted the program at the Yankee Dental Congress in January. More than one ton of material was donated from the event at the BCEC—including 8,400 show bags, 2,746 toothbrushes, and 131 boxes of latex gloves—with an estimated value of more than $8,000. Two other groups tested the program in March, the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Inc. International Convention and the Boston Gift Show.
“This is yet another program that reinforces our commitment to running green facilities and social responsibility,” said James E. Rooney, MCCA executive director, in a release. “From composting our food waste with a local farm to turning off our escalators and lights during slow periods, we try to do our part. Now, though Conventions C.A.R.E., we stay green and give back to our community at the same time.”