Sustainability

Sustainable Practices and Resource Management

SWANA is partnering with the America's Center, our St. Louis hotels partners, and all our RCon™ event suppliers to design an event focused on sustainable practices and resource management. Here are a few of the efforts you will see in practice during RCon 2026:

• Recyclable Badges – All badges are recyclable and lanyards are made from recycled material and are reusable.
• Reusable Beverage Containers – SWANA will provide reusable water bottles (first-come-first-serve).  We encourage participants to bring their own reusable containers as well. Water refill stations will be available in the exhibit hall and throughout the meeting spaces. 
• Meal Functions – Whenever possible, china dishware and glassware will be utilized. If that’s not an option, SWANA strives to utilize compostable materials.  
• Event Signage – When possible, the signage at RCon will be printed on recyclable materials. 
• Single-use Plastic – There will be no single-use plastic offered at any RCon food and beverage functions held at the America's Center. SWANA works to avoid the use of single-use plastic across our events outside of the convention center as well. 
• Recycling – Receptacles will be available throughout the RCon event space. 
• Food Waste - Sustainability stations will be positioned in the exhibit hall for RCon lunches, offering participants the option to leave plates with America's Center staff to sort. Any remaining food waste will be placed into a separate container and composted.
• Group Transportation – If you are arriving in St. Louis around the same time as others, please work to coordinate on vehicle transfers to the RCon hotels or other areas you may visit while attending RCon. 

Green Dining Alliance

The Green Dining Alliance certifies restaurants in sustainability and offers practical, pragmatic strategies to help them lower their environmental impact.  Whether you’re looking for cocktails or a coursed meal, a GDA Certified restaurant is there to meet your dining needs.

You can do your part to make St. Louis more sustainable by supporting the restaurants who have committed to lowering their environmental impact! Visit the Green Dining Alliance website for a list of restaurants who have been certified.