6th August 2007

Greening the scene at conferences and events makes good business sense says Packaging Council

At the New Zealand Association of Event Professionals conference in Auckland today, the Packaging Council joined the Ministry for the Environment and Landcare Research in setting out the framework for hosting “carbon neutral” events.

Sharon Jereb, Environment Manager for the Packaging Council said that considering the environmental impact of a conference or event is no longer a ‘nice to do’ it is becoming an essential part of the planning process. She told delegates that they must be part of setting new standards:

“Increasing awareness of the environmental impact of conferences and events will be driven by processes which require event organisers to measure and manage those impacts. Top level commitment by event organisers will set the expectation, and ensure that events don’t simply talk the talk, but actually walk the talk.”

Jereb said that at the very least all conferences and events should have in place a process to establish a waste minimisation plan and that these must be appropriate to the limitations of the venue rather than trying to introduce new logistics arrangements:-

“Plans should be pragmatic in concept and practical in application otherwise they simply won’t work. Talk to your local waste management service providers and ask them how to ensure that recycling systems are in place. Select venues on the basis of their sustainable performance.”

“Communicating the role everyone has to play cannot be underestimated in ensuring a successful outcome. Make sure that the messages which people attending your event receive about what to do with their waste are clear, concise and most of all consistently applied in all pre-event, event and post event communications.”

Major events and conferences have been estimated to contribute in excess of NZ$0.5billion to the New Zealand economy and show case the country to participants and visitors from around the world.

The Executive Director of the Packaging Council, Paul Curtis said:

“The Packaging Council is increasingly being asked by member companies and others to assist with providing information on what event organisers should be doing to “green up” conferences and other events because delegates are now expecting this as standard. When it boils down to it often what people want is to know what do about recycling and waste minimisation and how to reduce the overall environmental impacts of staging an event such as lighting, overall logistics and delegate’s travel arrangements.”

“We have a lot of that information but quickly saw that by working with the Ministry for the Environment and Crown Research Institutes such as Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research we can provide organisers with a much more comprehensive package which will help them in their drive towards “carbon neutrality. Today’s joint presentation is a first step in publicising this working relationship.”

ENDS

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