Energy Cities Alliance Top Ten Tips for Responsible Conferences

Energy Cities Alliance Top Ten Tips for Responsible Conferences

Remove, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

1. Products - Eliminate conference bags or use recyclable materials.  Eliminate pens or notepads as most people carry their own or if needed sell them and the money raised goes to a charity. Recycle name badges and lanyards. Have recycling and sorted rubbish stations everywhere. Make registration material on line and market the event via email and the website.

2. Collateral - Eliminate handouts or use recyclable paper rather than print meeting collateral or provide delegates with an electronic version of everything needed or provide  Sony E Readers for everything related to the conference (if wealthy!) Any unused or excess conference brochures/handouts to be collected at the end of the conference and recycled. Ensure any tender documents clearly state your environmental policy and request electronic responses from suppliers.

3. Drink - Serving water in pitchers and dispensers – no water bottles.  Provide insulated coffee mugs as part of the welcome pack to encourage delegates to use their mug instead of getting a Styrofoam one every time.

4. Transport - Eliminate shuttle services where possible – hotels and venues to be close.  Offer delegates a public transport ticket as part of their registration to encourage using trains, buses, metro etc. if shuttles are used give preference to hybrid vehicles.

5. Energy - Minimize energy use - buy green power (windmills and hydro) and use energy saving lighting options, energy reduction air conditioning solutions and reduced energy refrigeration. Request venues switch off lights and air conditioning as soon as possible at the end of the day and reduce for bump-in and bump-out periods.

6. Emissions - Offset your Carbon Emissions through a reputable organisation and use suppliers (including airlines) who do the same. Give preference to suppliers (including venues) with green accreditation through a recognised body.

7. Food - Compost food, waste and biodegradable products.  Use seasonal organic locally raised produce and donate leftover foods to local homeless shelters. Use bulk dispensers for condiments and avoid individually packed items such as sugar, salts, sweet. Avoid wastage.

8. Dinnerware - Replacement with biodegradable products (spud ware - made from potatoes and is biodegradable)

9. Gifts - When giving gifts to presenters or delegates consider giving money to their charity or a charity related to the conference instead of a tangible gift.

10. Choices - Select destinations, Convention Centres and hotels with green credentials and a written environmental policy such as the Energy Cities Alliance Members!