Sustainability Policy - "A Green Congress"

The 6SCWC has endeavoured to reduce its environmental footprint through the implementation of a green policy. Listed below are some of the policies that the 6SCWC Local Organising Committee will implement at the congress.

• Recycling - Paper, plastic, glass and tins will be recycled and convenient recycling centres will be set up around the congress venue. The congress organisers will encourage delegates to return their unwanted name tag pouches and lanyards for re-use. Unwanted stationery and delegate bags can be returned for redistribution as part of the 6SCWC's social responsibility programme.
• Locally-sourced materials - Congress materials including the delegate bags and lanyards will be produced locally with an emphasis on local job creation in South Africa's disadvantaged communities.
• Delegate handbook and other printed materials – Where possible, all printed materials will be printed on "Triple Green" paper produced at the Sappi Stanger Mill in South Africa, one of only a few mills in the world using sugar cane fibre as its primary source of pulp. The pulp is a by-product of the local sugar production and is an annually-renewable resource as well as a recycled raw material.
• Online congress materials - All 6SCWC presentations, papers and abstracts will be available online at the congress website.
• The menu - All 6SCWC menus will be designed using local, seasonal produce. Condiments such as sugar and sauces will served in bowls instead of individual packages. Water will be served from jugs instead of individual bottles. Cloth napkins will be used instead of disposable paper napkins. The CTICC will also be instructed to make use of a food re-distribution programme for the duration of the congress to limit food waste.
• The venue - The CTICC has eco-friendly policies in place, including an automated electricity-savings programme to prevent waste by lights, air conditioning and escalators; water-use minimisation systems using drip-flow irrigation and dual-flush toilets; an inhouse recycling system; biodegradable cleaning agents; and the sourcing of local supplies to promote job creation and the sustainability of local farms and producers. The building itself achieves 77.1% compliance with the South African Energy and Demand Efficiency Standards.
• Accommodation - 6SCWC congress hotels will be encouraged to follow a green policy for the duration of 6SCWC. Click here to view the 6SCWC Congress Hotels greening practices. Delegates will be encouraged to assist with this policy by remembering to switch off their lights and air conditioning when they are not in their hotel rooms.
• Transport – The congress organisers will arrange for regular shuttles to and from the airport, thus limiting the need for individual transfers. The 6SCWC congress hotels have been chosen based on their proximity to the congress venue, thus negating the need for additional transport.
• Renewable energy - RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates) supplied by GreenX Energy in Cape Town can offset the electricity used during the congress week. Unlike a carbon trade, a REC does not simply offset carbon emissions (through tree planting, for example) it certifies the sale and use of electricity derived from renewable energy resources and generated sustainably.
• Banners and signage - Signage for the congress should be made out of recycled cardboard that is easy to be recycled again; instead of plastic non-biodegradable roll-up banners.
• Decor and flowers - The 6SCWC organisers will insist that all cut flower arrangements are indigenous flowers, and choose living plants where possible.
• Speaker gifts - Promotional and speaker gifts should be made from sustainable materials, use minimal packaging, and be sourced locally (e.g. beadwork, wire crafts, etc).
• Exhibitors and sponsors will be encouraged to provide only sustainable giveaways and limits will be placed on the number of delegate bag inserts. The use of sustainable materials such as soy-based inks and recycled paper will be encouraged as well or limited packaging.

Delegates at the congress are encouraged to adopt this green policy for the duration of the congress.