Green Fest
Ever noticed how much waste there is at a conference or festival? We have and we want to do something about it. This year we are working with a Green Team to minimise waste and the harm that our Festival does to the Planet.
There is a very ageist rumour out there that 'older people have destroyed the planet - and young people are saving it.' We think this ageist divide is not helpful, we know stacks of older people (and younger folk) who are doing wonderful things to reduce waste and environmental damage - in fact we have invited a few of them to be part of our Green Team, to teach us how we can reduce our waste.
There is a very ageist rumour out there that 'older people have destroyed the planet - and young people are saving it.' We think this ageist divide is not helpful, we know stacks of older people (and younger folk) who are doing wonderful things to reduce waste and environmental damage - in fact we have invited a few of them to be part of our Green Team, to teach us how we can reduce our waste.
THE GREEN TEAM
We are delighted to announce our Green Team includes Monique Decortis (pictured below) and Doug Westland. Monique is a sustainability consultant and co-chair of the Mullum Mullum Festival, a sustainably-run festival that annually celebrates the Aboriginal cultural heritage and ecological values of the Mullum Mullum Creek Valley. Doug Westland heads the Green Team and the Yackandandah Folk Festival, which proudly promotes itself as The Greenest Music Festival in Australia. The festival always refining methods of maintaining this claim each and every year.
The challenges
Here is a list of the points from Embolden2018 where we think we may be able to improve. For each of these points we will identify a strategy at Embolden2019 and share these with you. We to improve on this each year and share it with other conferences and festivals to inspire others.
- Promotional flyers and postcards with plastic film: didn't realise those we printed online in 2018 had plastic film. In 2019 all promotional materials will electronic
- Printed program with abstracts: no abstracts - plenary sessions so participants don't need abstracts to select sessions. Explore option for printing program on Envirocare 100% recycled paper with vegetable inks (PrintTogether)
- Program ring binder and plastic cover: program will be a four page fold out
- Lanyards and plastic name tags: thick card name tags on recycled card, tied with paper ribbon to pin
- Fashion Parade program: provide most details on line and print A4 sheet black and white
- Fashion Parade masks for participants: seek alternative or paper options
- Coffee cart cups: compostable cups and lids will be provided
- Drink bottles: ask delegates to bring their own and keep a table filled with water jugs
- Satchels: do not provide
- Satchel inserts: provide hyperlinks to partner/sponsors online only
- Disposable cutlery: Sorgum sisters will provide biodegradable cutlery
- Food waste: adjust catering when numbers confirmed and provide fresh fruit to compliment catering - so surplus can be taken home by delegates
- Banner: use banner from last year and consider printing banner for podium onto tea towel that can be given away as spot prizes.