Environmental Policy

At Big Pineapple Function Centre it is our policy to consider our impact on the environment, both within our day to day office activities and with regard to our event execution.

We understand the importance of recycling and reusing products wherever possible plus the importance of reducing our consumption of all products, and have systems in place to encourage good practice.

When we plan events we consider the environmental impact and plan in such a way to minimise this.

Events and programmes

We will consider sustainability, re use and the environmental impact of each event or programme.

We will dispose of event waste in a manner that meets our environmental objectives.

We will work with our clients to make planned activity both sustainable and reduce/minimize its impact on the environment.

In the office

Our rubbish is sorted so paper and glass bottles, for example, are recycled.

We have an arrangement for the recycling of toner/printer cartridges.

Stationery, such as paper, folders, envelopes and dividers are re-used where possible. We do not use disposable cups, cutlery or plates unless they are environmental biodegradable.

We will endeavour to source stationery products that are recycled or produced from sustainable sources.

Our team are encouraged to fully utilise our IT systems to disseminate and archive information electronically.

All electronic equipment is switched off over night and when not in use.

The Big Pineapple Function Centre environmental policy is under constant review and the management team will work with all staff, suppliers and clients to achieve continuous improvements in our environmental performance. Education of the team will be ongoing with attendance at relevant events, seminars and courses. This policy will be regularly reviewed.

 Planning and policies if you are planning a major event

• Prepare a written environmental policy for your event which can be shared with suppliers, delegates and speakers,
• Estimate the total carbon footprint and plan to offset the carbon emissions produced at the event. Detail this in your costing so it is clear to the client,
• Look at past event energy use and wastage and find ways of reducing this. Track your results after the event,
• Plan your event precisely (looking at numbers, duration, size of venue and number of rooms required) then select the right venue to fit, so you use minimum energy and resources,
• Ensure your tender or briefing document clearly states your commitment to the environment and request all respondents outline their policies,
• Establish a policy to encourage suppliers to submit proposals and quotes electronically,
• In all communications with exhibitors and contractors request that waste and packaging be reduced.

Travel Selection

• Consider using airlines with offset programs
• Travel with companies implementing green policies
• Fly visitors by the shortest route possible.
• Choose a venue easily accessible by transport
• Accurately monitor the number of delegates needing transport at each stage of the event and match this to the transport vehicle size
• Use delegate shuttles and where possible use hybrid vehicles
• Consider bike use by providing bike racks and a bike concierge

Accommodation

• Use or recommend hotels within walking distance of the venue and with proactive waste, water and energy management practices
• Power and water supply
• Ensure toilet suppliers are using grey water and correctly dispose of black water
• Ensure all equipment is turned off at night
• Consider limiting air conditioning at venues during the set-up and pack-down phase
• Investigate alternatives to air conditioning during the event
• Hold the event during the day to utilise natural light and reduce power consumption
• Ensure suppliers use modern, energy efficient technology

Printed material and information

• Use new media and electronic technology to reduce paper use
• Collect and reuse name badges
• Offer electronic registration and market electronically via website and email
• Use recycled paper (post-consumer waste) and print on both sides using vegetable inks
• Offer all relevant information, presentations, papers and web links via electronic media
• Consider requesting delegates bring their own pens and note pads
• Consider using SMS to give seating and registration details

Waste reduction and recycling

• Reduce waste by keeping track of attendance and tailoring supplies and food according to final numbers
• Make informed purchasing decisions and support use of recycled and biodegradable materials
• Encourage delegates to separate waste
• Reduce use of gift bags or satchels
• Ensure excess food is donated to charity or composted
• Ensure non-toxic cleaning materials are used at the venue
• Create incentives for suppliers to return excess or unused products
• Educate delegates about how they can reduce waste

Activities

Plan to include sessions on relevant environmental issues

Offer off-site activities that are nature-based with minimal environmental impact

Suggest a community activity for delegates to which help restore the environment

Give an eco-friendly award to the greenest exhibitor

Sources

This checklist was collated from the following sources:

• Blue Green Meetings website, has a wide range of tips on reducing the environmental impact of business events:
• www.BlueGreenMeetings.org
• Green Event Ideas, Ecowise November 2007
• Start a Green Event Policy: The check list to running an environmentally sustainable event on a sustainable budget from a presentation by Clare Donovan of the Australian Conservation Foundation.