Sarah Parr, Vince Guerrieri, Leslie Basalla-McCafferty, Aja Hannah
Cleveland’s not just about rock ‘n’ roll and tasty pierogis anymore — our city is now rocking the green revolution. From Progressive Field to our transit system, Cleveland’s businesses are using eco-friendly practices that are as cool as they are sustainable. We’re recycling, refilling water bottles and saving the planet, one compostable coffee cup at a time.
Eco-Minded Venues
How did Cleveland’s convention center obtain LEED Gold certification? Let us count the way. Smart lighting, a Grind2Energy program converting food waste to energy and five water refill stations that reduce the use of over 26,000 plastic bottles annually give this 500,000+-square-foot space the green edge.
The ballpark which is home to the Cleveland Guardians boasts 42 solar panels to power 400 TV sets, not to mention the recent addition of a solar array on the roof behind home plate to decrease CO2 emissions and energy costs further. The ballpark fights waste by composting, recycling and donating leftover food. New event spaces will be available in 2025.
Find jaw-dropping 270-degree views of the Cleveland skyline and miles of lakefront at TRUSS, which sits atop INTRO Cleveland (the largest mass timber structure in the country). With a 6,000-square-foot main event hall and nearly 4,000-square-foot outdoor terrace, this rooftop venue can accommodate up to 700 guests.
With an almost 10,000-square-foot ballroom, several conference spaces and floor-to-ceiling city views, Case Western Reserve University offers flexible spaces for all kinds of events. The venue has earned LEED Gold status for its green roof, solar panels, water refill stations, radiant heating and energy-efficient curtain wall.
Sustainable Stays
Open since 2016, this 600-room hotel will play home to the 2024 Climate Leadership Conference — an apt choice in light of its LEED Silver status (recognizing sustainable features such as smart thermometers and low-flow toilets and the use of recycled material in construction).
This 206-unit luxury hotel in Cleveland’s Tower City complex involves its guests in its sustainability efforts through socially responsible Impact Experiences. In Cleveland, that takes the form of volunteerism and a group meal at the city’s landmark Cultural Gardens.
A Downtown landmark for generations, this modernist 484-room hotel is LEED-certified and features an LED-lit exterior, reflective “cool roof” and double-paneled windows. The lobby, restored with the hotel in 2014, also features ample natural light.
One of Downtown’s most venerable buildings — newly restored to show off its red brick façade — this trendy 128-room boutique hotel features energy-efficient touches such as LED bulbs, motion-activated HVAC and refillable bathroom amenities.
Walking the Walk
Sustainability is always on tap at Great Lakes Brewing Co. — where solar panels fuel the brewhouse and delivery vehicles burn fryer oil instead of gasoline. Rust Belt Riders compost food scraps from homes and businesses (including Rocket Arena and the West Side Market) into nutrient-rich soil. Citywide drop-off sites make reducing food waste more accessible for all. And Rid-All Green Partnership is so much more than an urban farm. This Kinsman neighborhood agriculture campus is busting food deserts, planting trees, incubating culinary start-ups and bringing farming education to underserved areas. (Rent its community kitchen for special events such as catered lunches/dinners and food tastings with local chefs.)
Daydreaming about custom furniture? Rustbelt Reclamation will handcraft your vision using wood harvested within 200 miles of its Midtown workshop. Its “Tree to Table” program helps homeowners turn property hazard trees into heirloom treasures.
Riding Green
Fondly known by Clevelanders as “The RTA,” the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s commitment to sustainability shines through with its Silver Level recognition from the American Public Transportation Association. Both the Brookpark Rapid Transit Station and the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center are LEED Silver-certified, and the East 79th Street Red Line station received SITES certification in 2021. Ride one of 21 hybrid-electric vehicles on the Healthline from Downtown to University Circle, or hop aboard one of 162 Clean Natural Gas buses to experience green transportation in motion.