SUSTAINABILITY INTIATIVES

Please see below some of the initiatives underway with the organisers and suppliers for the 2023 Meeting. 

The Venue: Melbourne Convention Centre

Melbourne Renewable Energy Project: In 2018 MCEC joined 13 other reputable Melbourne organisations to support the development of a wind farm in regional Victoria. This agreement has enabled them to offset the entire electricity use of their 20,000 square metre expansion space with renewable energy. This is equivalent to 15 per cent of the entire venue’s electricity consumption.

• Addressing food waste: In 2019 MCEC recovered more than 68 tonnes of food waste by donating over 74,000 meals to OzHarvest and processing 44 tonnes using their onsite organics dehydrator. That’s the equivalent to the carbon emissions associated with the electricity consumption of 52 households for one year.
• Growing food: MCEC has partnered with local company Biofilta to install 36 permanent food cubes in their courtyard. They are made from recycled plastic and are used to grow herbs, citrus and flowers for our Goldfields Cafe & Bar.
• Rainwater capture: In 2019, over 3,100 kilolitres of rainwater was harvested from the Melbourne Convention Centre roof. In 2019 they consumed an industry best practice of 445 litres of potable water per square metre.
• Waste diversion: In 2018-19 we diverted 62 per cent of all waste from landfill using 17 waste streams.

The Meeting

• Printed materials are kept to a minimum, with attendees encouraged to use electronic resources such as the meeting website and app. Attendees will be asked during registration if they wish to receive printed materials so no excess will be printed.
• Abstract materials are provided electronically only, via the website or app.
• Name badges use paper and lanyards that can be recycled.
• Meeting bags are not provided.
• Sponsors and Exhibitors are requested to reflect positive environmental values and practices in their participation.

 What can you do?

• The Hotels selected by the Meeting are all located near to the Convention Centre, and Melbourne is a very walkable city with excellent public transport. Where possible, we encourage you to walk between locations rather than taxi or drive.
• Please follow the waste separation instructions at the venue and at your accommodation.
• Tap water stations are available in the Centre, please bring your own reusable bottle.
• Please bring a reusable bag, if required, to carry your Meeting materials in.