The Georgia World Congress Center on Tuesday said it is now the largest LEED-certified convention center in the world.

The 3.9 million-square-foot building achieved silver certification through sustainability efforts such as recycling electronics, reducing water consumption, using green janitorial supplies and more environmentally friendly office supplies.

LEED — or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — rates the green or sustainable design, construction or operations in buildings and homes.

The GWCC has been working toward its certification since 2005. In 2010, the convention center — the fourth largest in the nation — hired a dedicated sustainability director and in 2012 registered for the preliminary steps of certification with the U.S. Green Building Council.

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