Working Towards A Sustainable Future!
The North Carolina Conference for Women believes in smart practices and continually engages in activities to create a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly event.
Our initiatives include:
Print Materials
- Less Paper: focus more on web-based marketing and grass roots support. From 2006 to 2007, this strategy reduced the conference printing by 22,500 “sheets of paper.”
- Print Processes: eco-friendly printing guidelines were adhered to including inks, paper, shipping considerations and any sustainable practices within printer company.
- Conference Handouts: no conference distribution of breakout materials and discouraging speakers to do so – given the high number of those attending.
Sustainable Products
In choosing “products” being used at the conference, we strive to use products that adhere to more sustainable measures.
- Registration Bags: all registration bags are made of recycled materials and do not use chlorine based compounds.
- Centerpieces: the selection of centerpieces will take into account sustainable practices such as process for shipping and organic versus non-organic. The conference is also looking at non-floral or non-traditional centerpiece options that align more closely with sustainable practices.
- Linens: the conference is reviewing current linen vendors to examine their process for dry cleaning, this process is what we have found affects whether linen is most sustainable.
Facility Planning
In partnership with the Charlotte Convention Center, environmentally friendly initiatives are being implemented.
- Recycling Centers: recycling stations will be set up within the expo and other key areas to encourage recycling of appropriate products and materials.
- Beverage Dissemination: during breaks and when appropriate, the conference will offer non-bottled refreshments to reduce waste and potential for non-recycling.
- Cups: the convention center is using cups that decompose in as little as 50 days; thus, those attending will be encouraged to dispose of their cups at one of the appropriate stations.
- Food and Beverage: the conference is working with the Convention Center to use locally sourced organic foods. Additionally, we are working with the Center to have leftover food donated to a local nonprofit organization or have the food used for composting.
- Carpeting: consideration is taken into account when choosing any added carpeting for the conference to make sure that it's recycled or will be recycled - or whether to refrain from using carpeting at all.
Vendors
- Any vendor for the conference is examined as to their environmental and sustainable business practices. While this is not the final determining factor in vendor selection, this process begins the conversation on partnerships to create a greener event.
This is just the beginning, but is a major step in creating a more sustainable event. |
