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Sustainability

Our Commitment to Sustainability

At Overture, we acknowledge the potential impact we have on the local environment and embrace our responsibility to the community. Guided by an employee-driven, cross-departmental sustainability committee established in May 2023, our ongoing efforts involve a comprehensive examination of operations through a wide-angle lens. This dynamic group has played a pivotal role in instigating enhanced sustainability practices across our organization.

Discover the ways in which we are actively working towards greater sustainability and minimizing our environmental footprint.

Offering digital programs whenever possible, reducing paper waste.

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Providing guests with sustainable transportation options, such as walking, biking and riding the bus, to reduce vehicle emissions in our community.

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Switching from plastic bottles to aluminum cans for concession sales of water to minimize use of single-use plastics.

Open Water is a certified carbon neutral company. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable unlike plastic bottles, plus these bottles are already made from recycled materials.

Creating energy monitoring systems to track and analyze our energy consumption to achieve a 90% efficiency improvement year over year.

Implementing scheduling practices to better manage energy demands during peak times and enhance overall efficiency.

Mario Castelo, Maintenance Associate, standing with a multimeter near a variable frequency drive (VFD). VFDs deliver greater production output, energy savings and increase productivity.
Michael Schliem, Facilities Assistant, monitoring chillers' statuses via Metasys, a building automation system.

Using ionized water for cleaning purposes, reducing the environmental impact of traditional cleaning agents and contributing to a healthier indoor environment.

Read about this process

Erik Hunziker, Custodial Manager, using one of the ionized water filling stations.
Overture Center started using this EPA-approved aqueous ozone technology in the fall of 2023.

Upgrading heating systems to improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Exploring options for higher efficiency motors, chillers and boilers to stay at the forefront of sustainable technology.

Conducting regular studies to enhance our recycling and refuse management processes, analyzing waste streams and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Two large white metal trash receptacles in Overture Hall Lobby, one with a black trash-bin sticker, the other with a black recycling arrows sticker.

Overture's Sustainability Committee is continuing to work on advancing recycling signage and access to patrons.

In September 2025, Overture achieved 2025 Climate Champion status for tripling the overall number of recycling cans in the building, adding recycling language to programs and creating signage to assist guests. The Sustainability Committee hosted a staff “lunch and learn” with documentaries and discussion, alongside a staff clothing swap.

In August 2024, Overture received a Climate Champion award from Dane County's Office of Energy & Climate Change for a variety of water conservation practices, including our use of efficient water softeners and conservative salt usage.

In April 2024, Overture joined Sustain Dane, an organization dedicated to encouraging and teaching sustainable practices to businesses across Dane County. With the help of Sustain Dane, we will be able to learn along side energy leaders throughout our community while we create better practices to improve our planet's future.