Greening the Congress
The Local Host Committee, A&WMA and IUAPPA are committed to conducting the 15th IUAPPA World Clean Air Congress in an environmentally responsible manner. We have incorporated the following initiatives to ensure that sustainable and environmentally sound practices are followed:
Site Selection:
IUAPPA and A&WMA strategically chose to host the Congress in one of the world’s greenest and most livable cities. Vancouver has the lowest per capita greenhouse gas emissions of any major city in North America (4.6 tonnes per person). Over the past 10 years the number of vehicles entering Vancouver has decreased by 10% while walking as a mode of transportation has increased by 44%. In addition, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has committed to creating “the greenest city in the world by 2020” and will do so through the implementation of a long-term action plan: Vancouver 2020: A Bright Green Future.
Westin Bayshore Green Practices:
The Hotel Association of Canada has awarded the Westin Bayshore Vancouver a 4 Green Key rating, under the Green Key Eco-Rating Program. This rating is awarded to a hotel that has “shown national industry leadership and commitment to protecting the environment through wide ranging policies and practices. The Hotel has mature programs in place that involve management, employees, guests, and the public, and which have shown substantial and measureable results”.
A few of the initiatives taken on by Westin Bayshore include:
- Recycling blue boxes in all rooms.
- Optional linen cleaning program.
- “Make a green choice” program – guests receive a $5 voucher for choosing to forego housekeeping services.
- Only non-toxic cleaners are used in rooms.
- Newspaper delivery is optional.
- State-of-the art digital room thermostats which reduced energy consumption by 60%.
- Biodegradable or reusable cutlery and dishes.
- Leftover unused food and partially used shampoo, soaps, and lotions are donated to charity.
- Utilization of natural light to reduce electricity and heating.
Sustainable Meals:
- Congress meals at the Westin Bayshore are served using reusable china/silverware or biodegradable/recyclable disposable food and beverage containers whenever possible, prepared using organic food products from local farmers and producers as much as possible, and served with condiments bought in bulk to reduce packaging waste. Leftover kitchen grease is recycled at the Westin Bayshore.
- Attendees will have access to water dispensing systems at the Westin Bayshore during the Congress to minimize disposable water bottle use.
- The Westin Bayshore serves only Starbucks Café Serena Organic Coffee.
- Buffet tables and back bar units require no linens.
- Mugs are used at the Westin Bayshore rather than teacups and saucers to reduce dishwashing.
Waste Reduction:
- Recycling bins are available throughout the venue and biodegradable materials are composted.
- Reusable nametags will be used.
- Delegate bags will be reusable, recycled tote bags provided by a local company which employees at-risk and low income individuals.
- The Congress will be as paperless as possible:
- Registration, pre-congress communication, and participant evaluation will take place electronically.
- Congress proceedings will be available on-line; printouts will not be provided.
- Where printing of documents cannot be avoided, an effort will be made to ensure they are recyclable or biodegradable, have high recycled content, and are double-sided.
- Presenters and exhibitors will be requested to eliminate or limit printouts.
- Single portion package items (ketchup, cream, sugar, etc.) will be avoided where possible.
Opt-in Carbon Offsets:
Congress participants are encouraged during registration to purchase $25 worth of carbon offsets. Carbon offset donations will be combined and put towards supporting international greenhouse gas projects through Offsetters.ca (Offsetters). Offsetters sources credits from international Gold Standard carbon offset projects that meet the highest standards of environmental integrity and offer high social value in the developing world. All Offsetter funds are invested in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that would not otherwise have taken place without offset investment. These projects not only remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, but they also enhance ecosystems and provide additional benefits to communities.
Ways you can help to make the Congress greener:
We would like to invite all Congress participants to join us in our goal to incorporate environmentally responsible procedures and practices during the Congress. Please attempt to reduce, reuse, and recycle during your daily activities and encourage others to do the same. Below, are some ideas to encourage you to help us make this event a green success!
- Transportation:
- Walk! Vancouver’s downtown is one of the most scenic city centres in the world and is best enjoyed at a slow pace.
- Ride a bicycle – there are several businesses in Vancouver that offer hourly, daily and weekly bike rentals; most are located on Denman St. between Georgia St. and Robson St and are only a couple of blocks from the Westin Bayshore.
- Take the Skytrain, bus or seabus. Greater Vancouver’s public transit system is fast, convenient and a great way to see the region.
- If necessary, hail a hybrid taxi. The British Columbian government has implemented regulations requiring all new taxis in the city to be highly energy efficient vehicles (i.e. hybrids or high fuel economy vehicles).
- If you rent a car, consider renting one that is energy efficient and no larger than necessary.
- Carpool with fellow Congress participants.
- Hotel:
- Turn down housekeeping services (and receive a $5 voucher from the Westin Bayshore through the “make a green choice” program!).
- Reuse hotel linens and take quick showers to reduce water use.
- Turn off lights, TVs or computers in your hotel room when not in use.
- Avoid using disposable water bottles and coffee cups.
- Congress:
- Turn down printed documents or leave read documents for others to reuse.
- Turn in your name tag for reuse at the next event.
