ASFA's Green initiatives

ASFA aims to be as ‘green’ as possible in the planning and implementation of all its activities, particularly for its national conference.

The 2011 ASFA Conference venue, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), is one of Australia’s leading convention centres and has a long and proud tradition of environmental practices which have expanded and developed to become embedded in mainstream policy.

The BCEC has recently won the sought after IMEX 2010 Green Supplier Award. This award was developed by IMEX and the Green Meetings Industry Council to recognise environmental excellence and innovation within the meetings industry. It acknowledges the Centre’s commitment to sustainable development and work practices and its achievements in energy efficient initiatives, resource recovery, water conservation and commitment to change.

ASFA’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy

ASFA is committed to the conservation of our environment as well as acting in an ethical and socially responsible manner in the interests of our members and the wider community.

What can you do? – A reminder

What are Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre’s current policies?

What has ASFA as an organisation done?

What can you do? - A reminder 

• ASFA asks that wherever possible to take the most direct flight and consider purchasing carbon offsets through the airline’s Carbon Offset program. You will find most airlines have introduced a carbon offset program.
• ASFA will encourage delegates to return their lanyard and badge to be recycled by providing specific bins to collect these items.
• ASFA will encourage our delegates to use public transport where available and we will organise coaches to minimise multiple trips for related networking events.
• ASFA aims to reduce the amount of material brought to the conference and will encourage delegates to collect exhibitor information on USB/memory sticks or provide details to exhibitors so that information can be subsequently emailed.
• Use the recycling bins throughout the conference venue and dispose of waste appropriately.
• Exhibitors - Reduce the amount of printed material you bring to the ASFA Conference. Where printed goods are on offer, try to use recycled paper stock and best practice environmental printing procedures.
• Exhibitors - Offer to send exhibitor information to delegates via e-mail post conference.
• Exhibitors - Consider the types of giveaways you provide delegates and their impact on the environment.
• Exhibitors - During bump in and bump out reduce and recycle your waste.

What are Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre’s current policies? 

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre strives to be a world leading sustainable event facility. The Centre is committed to achieving ecologically sustainable development through a balance of environmental, social, economic and cultural factors.

Some of BCEC’s green initiatives are listed below:

• Creation of an electronic ‘Dashboard’ to measure the Centre’s energy conservation and waste reduction to continually monitor sustainability performance against benchmark targets .
• The purchase of Green Power for the Centre’s Administration Offices resulted in saving of 103 tonnes of Co2 emissions during the last 12 months.
• Installation of a Bio Bin producing on average 54m3 of compost each year from the organic waste generated by the venue. Compost produced by the Bio Bin is used as a soil conditioner or as a fuel source for Green Power generation.
• Reusing discarded event materials (banners, signage, purpose built stands etc) by sending them on to Reverse Garbage (approx 23m3 in the last 12 months).
• The Centre has an ongoing commitment to source local produce and partner with suppliers to reduce environmental impacts empowering clients with choices which reduce embedded emissions and food miles for their events.
• Installation of a 36,000 litre rainwater tank for storage of water used for cleaning and general purpose use.
• Creation of an ice well to house left over ice and water from events at the Centre for reuse for cleaning purposes.

For more information on Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre’s green initiatives please visit www.bcec.com.au.

What has ASFA as an organisation done? 

In October 2009 ASFA received a ‘Sustainable Footprint’ certificate in recognition of an ongoing commitment to Carbon Reduction in our business operations.

ASFA was also proudly presented with the NSW Corporate Social Responsibility Award for the 2008 National Conference and Super Expo, at the Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) National Awards. This award acknowledged ASFA’s commitment to the conservation of the environment and best practice for green events.

ASFA has introduced a number of initiatives within the workplace and at ASFA events that are more environmentally friendly.

Our first steps to making this happen have included:

• The ASFA Secretariat has motion sensing lights.
• The printers are set to double sided printing.
• A going green policy regarding recycling and reusing stationery has been provided to all staff members.
• Name badges are recycled at state events.
• All staff members are asked to ‘think’ before printing and have been asked to reduce waste.
• Separate bins have been provided for paper recycling and food scraps.
• The building managers of our premises are also committed to reducing the environmental impact of the resources used in the building.
• Staff switch off computer monitors whilst away from their desks.
• Reduction in hard copy promotional material and increase in e-brochures.
• ASFA is committed to using venues who implement green procedures.

ASFA is continuing to develop our knowledge of ‘Green’ initiatives and the environmental impact of our business. We understand it is a slow process but are committed to continually delivering on this project and seek your support in reaching this goal.

If you have any suggestions, please contact the “Going Green” Project Manager at ASFA.