The University of Ottawa showcased sustainability as host of the Acfas conference

The environmental impact of conferences and events, especially those that welcome thousands of attendees like this one, can be substantial. Fortunately, the University of Ottawa has made every effort to ensure the conference was as environmentally sustainable as possible. 

To this end, the Office of Campus Sustainability is piloting a new sustainable events guide with the Acfas conference as its first big test run. Here are some of the initiatives that were implemented that we think could apply to other conferences too!

The University of Ottawa aims to become carbon neutral by 2040, so all attendees were urged to consider the environmental impact of their travel to the conference. If attendees were travelling less than 500 kilometres, they were encouraged to take the train, and all attendees were sent a discount for VIA Rail. Attendees could also use public transit to travel from the Ottawa International Airport or Ottawa Train Station to the university. The team of 250 volunteers were also encouraged to take active or public transportation. 

Whether by hopping on a train or carpooling with colleagues, every effort to reduce carbon pollution counts. 

Behind every successful sustainability initiative is a dedicated team of volunteers committed to its implementation. In this case, we assembled a passionate group of individuals to spearhead our green efforts. From monitoring waste management to stopping food waste, our “Brigade Verte” was at the forefront, ensuring the conference aligned with the highest environmental standards.

Another uOttawa goal is to become a zero-waste campus by 2050. We have over 350 recycling stations on campus, making it easier for attendees to compost and recycle. We expected 80% of the waste created to be compostable and come mainly from paper coffee cups and leftover food. This is why compost bins were placed in all the major event areas. 

While conference swag may be a staple of many events, most swag ends up at your local Value Village (or here at the uOttawa Free Store), if not in the trash. Consequently, we took a different approach: in keeping with our commitment to sustainability, forgoing traditional swag items. Instead, we focused on providing attendees with meaningful experiences and valuable knowledge they could carry forward long after the conference ended.

In today’s digital age, there’s no excuse for excessive paper usage, so we minimized paper consumption at the conference by embracing digital alternatives whenever possible. From digital event programs to electronic communication, we harnessed technology to reduce our environmental footprint and promote sustainability.

Disposable cups and containers are a significant source of waste at events. To prevent this, Friendlier reusable containers were used for lunches during the conference. This was the first time expanding the University's existing Friendlier program beyond pre-packaged food. Over 2300 meals were served in reusable containers, which reduced the number of disposable containers going to the landfill, saved resources, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. 

Since plastic bottles have been banned on campus for over 10 years, attendees were encouraged to bring their own reusable bottles. here are over 210 water fountains with goosenecks on campus to refill water bottles easily. Moreover, all food service providers on campus offer a reusable mug discount, since coffee cups are another major source of waste on campus.

By prioritizing reusables over disposables, we minimized waste and promoted sustainable practices.

Food waste is a pressing issue that often goes overlooked at conferences. To address this, we partnered with St. Joe's Supper Table to donate 144.77kg of extra unopened food from the event. We also helped to keep the team of 200+ volunteers well-fed by bringing leftover food to the volunteer lounge. By redirecting surplus food to those in need, we not only reduced waste but also made a difference in our community.

If you are an event host, check out our Green Events Guide. From event hosts to organizers to attendees, everyone has a role in making a conference more eco-friendly and sustainable!