Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
Symposium Initiatives:
- Prioritize vendors implementing sustainable practices
- Reduce emissions by implementing a multitude of sustainable practices across decor, food and beverage, venue selection and products used and consumed
- Strive to use products made from recycled or other sustainable materials (e.g., name badges made from sustainable material) and repurpose products for other events where possible (e.g., return lanyards at the end of the event)
- Use locally rented material which will be repurposed for other events where possible (e.g., decor, furniture)
- Work with vendors to minimize the use of single-use plastics, opting for glass or other reusable materials (e.g., glassware only for meals). Where glassware is not feasible, substitute with paper and reusable plastic products.
- Use digital over hard copy communications wherever possible (email, mobile app, digital signage) and encourage attendees to avoid printing email or app notifications
- Confirm the exact number of meals required in advance to reduce food waste
- Collaborate with the catering team to limit food waste
- Contribute any extra food to a local non-profit group
- Provide a reusable cutlery set for attendee use during the Symposium and beyond
- Encourage attendees to book travel with minimal transfers and carpool when possible
- Encourage sustainable modes of transportation to the venue and locally
- Encourage attendees to pack light and reusable (e.g. reusable water bottle)
- Encourage attendees to decline daily housekeeping
- Encourage attendees to turn off lights and unplug electronics when not in use
- Encourage attendees to choose souvenirs made by local artisans and vendors while exploring the National Capital Region
- Work with vendors to track the emissions produced from hosting the Symposium (using the innovative TRACE platform), and offset those emissions through investment in reputable, certified projects
- Encourage attendees to offset their travel to and from the Symposium