Sustainability

Sustainable Brands Environmental Mission Statement

Sustainable Brands is committed to reducing the environmental impact of the Sustainable Brands Conferences, to enlisting our community in the sustainable production of our events, and to improving the sustainability initiatives and performance of our host communities.

The Approach

Sustainable event management is the process used to produce an event with concern for the environmental, economic and social implications of event related activities. Sustainability in event management incorporates socially and environmentally responsible decision making into the planning, organization, and implementation of and participation in an event. These processes and decisions also involve key stakeholders including event organizers, venues, vendors, suppliers and attendees. High impact areas for sustainable event management includes:

• Venues & Accommodations
• Food & Beverage
• Exhibitors/Expo
• Marketing & Public Relations
• Transportation
• Audio Visual & Décor

The event planning team works closely with all vendors and stakeholders involved to follow a sustainable event framework that was developed in accordance with the leading international event industry standards – ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management Systems and APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meeting Standards. Let us share some of our work in this arena and what was planned for New Metrics ’17:

Attendee Sustainability:

As an attendee, there are actions you can take to reduce your impact as well. Follow these Sustainable Attendee Tips:

Before you leave for New Metrics ’17…

• Don’t forget to pack your refillable water bottle and reusable coffee cup! SB will offer many opportunities to refill both.
• Pack light… even bringing 1 less pair of shoes saves CO2!
• Carpool or take public transport to/from the airport and to/from your hotel. Make new friends and contacts while saving CO2!
• Make sure to download the SB mobile app instead of taking a program.

While onsite…

• Turn off lights and electronics when leaving your hotel room.
• Participate in your hotels Linen ReUse Program.
  • Did you know that washing just one towel takes 15 liters of water?!
• Ask for a recycling bag for your hotel room if one isn’t in place.
• Make sure to use the proper Recycling and Compost bins at the meeting rooms. Look before you throw!
• Use a refillable water bottle and coffee cup throughout the conference.
• Take only what you need at food functions.
• Choose to eat vegetarian or vegan at least one meal per day OR make the commitment eat meat free ALL WEEK!
• Donate leftover conference materials and items at show close.
• Return your lanyard at show close to be re-used for the future.

New Metrics ’17 Partners

GOAL:	THANKS TO:
Waste Reduction & Diversion Waste is a major contributor to the impact of any event. For Sustainable Brands, we focus on first reducing the waste produced overall, and then work to divert as much of the waste produced from the landfill through recycling, composting, and donation and repurposing. For 2017, Sustainable Brands is working closely with partners in Philadelphia to sort and divert the waste produced by the event. In addition, we are partnering with TerraCycle to capture and divert “hard to recycle” items that can’t be recycled in a traditional municipal facility.
Carbon Neutral 100% of the carbon emissions from the event are offset by Nature Bank, including attendee and staff travel and accommodation.
Energy Neutral The energy used during the event will be 100% offset by Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) provided by the South Pole Group. The electricity used at the Sustainable Brands Conference is EKOenergy-certified. EKOenergy is the international ecolabel for energy. In addition to being 100% renewable, energy with the EKOenergy label also fulfills additional sustainability criteria. The label is a not-for-profit initiative of a network of more than 40 environmental NGOs. Through the label, the network also raises funds for new renewable energy projects. South Pole Group kindly took care of all practical aspects for having EKOenergy at this conference. Feel free to contact them for more information.
Water Neutral The water footprint of the event, including attendee travel and accommodation, is balanced through BEF’s Water Restoration Certificates supporting critically dewatered ecosystems across North America.
ISO 20121 Compliance Our goal is to be in compliance with the ISO 20121 Environmental Management System standard. Learn more >>
Green Venue SB and Loews Hotel are working together to create a sustainable conference experience. Some efforts include: All meals will be serve on reusable china; condiments will be served in bulk; straw are eliminated and napkins are available upon request; recycling in public spaces; vegan and vegetarian meal options; leftover food donation program to America’s Second Harvest; and an option for a linen re-use program.

Highlighted SB’17 Detroit Sustainability Efforts:

We had plenty of efforts in place to reach these goals in the past and would love to share how we did it. Visit our SB’17 Detroit site for more detailed information, and hopefully to learn how to increase the positive impact of your own event(s). If you have any questions at all or if we can help you in your efforts, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Lizzy Hearne.