Sustainability at Evolution 2020
In service to the goals of our three sponsoring societies (ASN, SSB, and SSE), the conference organizers and the Joint Meeting Committee are committed to providing a conference incorporating sustainable practices. This commitment starts with our choice of the conference location as we aim to offer conferences at venues that minimize carbon expenditures for the majority of attendees while providing diverse and interesting environments and amenities. For those opposed to long-distance travel, we also move the conference annually so it is in close proximity to a new group each year. During the conference we strive to reduce waste and carbon expenditures.
Following is a list of strategies and goals that we plan for Evolution 2020 in Cleveland, OH, and ways you can help. If you have ideas for additional ways to reduce our carbon footprint, please contact us.
Find out how you can help below.
What we are doing
What the Huntington Convention Center is doing
Following is a list of strategies and goals that we plan for Evolution 2020 in Cleveland, OH, and ways you can help. If you have ideas for additional ways to reduce our carbon footprint, please contact us.
Find out how you can help below.
What we are doing
- Reducing our carbon footprint - for the first time this year we are including a $5 donation to reduce our carbon footprint in your registration. After the conference, the collective funds will be donated to the Centennial Forests Fund of Cleveland Metroparks. You have the option to opt out of this fee if the funding organization does not allow this type of expenditure (please note that federal funding agencies in the US and Canada - NSF, NIH, and NSERC do not restrict this type of expenditure, although NSF requires that you comply with your own university's travel policies). For those traveling longer distances to attend, we encourage you to consider making an additional donation to the Centennial Forests Fund or conservation organization of your choice.
- Facilitating ride sharing - check out our ride share google sheet to find or offer rides to/from the conference.
- No bags, no bling - several years ago we committed to reducing waste by not handing out bags full of paper fliers and other items that most attendees immediately discard.
- No printed programs - we have ceased to offer printed programs to reduce paper waste. This saves on the order of 150,000 pages per conference! You will have the option of printing out portions or the entirety of the program from the online program if you wish, or better to make a short custom schedule online and/or use our mobile app.
- No plastic bottles - we will strive to reduce plastic bottle waste during the conference by offering water and other refreshments in large dispenser containers.
- No plastic badges - for the first time this year we will be using paper name badges to avoid waste associated with the plastic name badge holders used in the past.
- Eating better - increased relative representation of quality vegetarian over meat options at our catered events.
What the Huntington Convention Center is doing
- Single stream recycling - the convention center is committed to reducing waste by using compostable food service materials whenever possible. There are recycling containers throughout the convention center for your convenience.
- Locally grown and yummy - the convention center caterer uses only in season, locally sourced, organic, and antibiotic/hormone free food products. Some of the food served is grown in the farm located adjacent to the convention center outside of the Grand Ballroom.
- No waste, no worries - unused food is donated to local foodbanks and other non-profit organizations. Food waste is used for compost to generate methane for electricity production.
- It's green and underground - the convention center is covered by a green roof and is mostly built below grade. This construction provides reduced heating and cooling expenses, and the green roof serves to filter storm water drainage.
- It's certified gold - the features described above plus energy efficient lighting and low-flow plumbing has earned the convention center LEED Gold Certification.
What you can do
- Travel smart - you can reduce your carbon expenditure by traveling by train (the Amtrak station is right next to the convention center) or bus to the conference, or car/vanpool (check out our ride sharing google sheet to find or offer rides). If you fly, then look for other attendees to share a ride to downtown from the airport, or take the Rapid Transit system.
- Bring a cup - the largest amount of waste that we cannot control is the use of disposable plastic cups during breaks and receptions - bring a cup for your liquids!
- Bring your own lanyard - we have reduced the badge waste as much as we can by providing paper badges, but you can help us do more by providing your own lanyard. A necklace with a single clip for the badge will work fine (badges have a single hole in the middle and are printed on both sides).
- Walk and ride - one of the great things about Cleveland is the availability of public transportation, and e-scooters and bikes are available all over town. There are many excellent feeding and watering establishments within a short walk of the convention center. Take a stroll to find some inspiring libations.
Photo: CC BY-SA 2.0, Bernard Dupont, "Forest along the boardwalk"