Sustainability

For the first time in 2024, TEI has a sustainability committee. We are committed to ensuring the conference proceeding are organised with a commitment to ensuring efficient use of resources and reducing unnecessary waste. Given this is the first TEI conference with a sustainability committee, we outline our plans below to be transparent about our efforts and provide an educational resource for future events.

Physical Materials

  • Printed single-use event materials that are branded for TEI’24 are reduced to a minimum. All stakeholders are aware that the creation of such materials is to be avoided and instead, reusable conference material encouraged.
  • We also encourage attendees to minimise the use of once-of materials. If they are required, recycling opportunities will be provided at the conference venues.
  • We also encourage vendors to use digital business cards and provide prominent QR codes that leads to digital version of same.
  • We are re-using our staging and sets and reducing energy usage for lighting and sound also ensuring our audio-visual suppliers share our values.
  • Vendors have been asked to reuse their exhibition material as much as possible

Use of electronic Equipment

  • No new electronic devices are to be purchased for the event. All electronic equipment must be hired or used from venues/stakeholders. If the need for purchase of new equipment does arise, we encourage the purchase of refurbished devices.
  • Electrical equipment is to be used and handled with care, ensuring the expected lifespan is not negatively influenced e.g. through overheating.

Data storage/use/distribution

  • All files shared or submitted or redistributed should be compressed and optimised in file size. We recommend using tools such as https://squoosh.app/ for optimal image compression and reducing file sizes of any other filetype as much as possible without reduction of quality.
  • The storing of unnecessary copies must be avoided.
  • Sharing of files should be done through cloud storage rather than email transfer.
  • Unnecessary file transfer or storage of any kind must be avoided.
  • Recorded video footage must be culled, trimmed to only essential elements, compressed and stored in file-reducing formats such as .webm.

Waste Management

  • All venues must provide recycling bins next to every general waste bin for use of delegates.
  • No single use items are provided as part of the catering or promotion by the organisers or venues except were absolutely necessary (e.g. napkins).
  • We generally want to omit all single use items in general, except for very limited branded material such as signage relevant and required for the smooth operation of the event.
  • All venues must ensure that they recycle the waste collected in recycling bins.
  • All stakeholders are asked to recycle in line with recommendations by waste removal providers, mainly to keep cardboard, paper, plastics and aluminium clean, dry and loose. This must be communicated to participants to ensure foreign and Irish-based guests understand how to use the bins provided correctly.
  • Any dysfunctional electrical devices or empty batteries must be disposed of correctly at WEE/battery collection places and handled responsibly.
  • Glass materials are to be collected and recycled accordingly and separately.
  • Catering providers have been asked to dispose of unavoidable food waste through compost bins, ensuring no compostable materials end up in waste bins or contaminate recycling bins.

Energy use

All stakeholders must agree to reduce energy use in any operation related to the event, this includes:

  • Electrical devices must be turned off when not in use and used responsibly.
  • Windows and doors are to be kept closed in any heated room/area and Impact Ventilation practiced to ensure good air quality.
  • The maximum heating room temperature should not exceed 21C.
  • Wherever choices in the source of energy can be made, renewable energy source must be used.

Transportation

  • We encourage our delegates to make use of local transportation during their visit to Cork, and enjoy the wonderful nature walks throughout the city and local area.
  • If possible, we encourage public transport to the city, including rail and bus from all Irish Cities and Airports. If there is no alternative to flying, direct flights are preferred over indirect flights as they cause fewer CO2 emissions. Here are two useful sources regarding trasport and travel in Cork: https://www.transportforireland.ie/ and https://corknaturenetwork.ie/nature-walks/
  • Public Transport options between venues will be communicated to the delegates.

Catering

We will work closely with the catering teams across the conference venues to ensure that minimum waste is produced for catering purposes.

  • Where possible, we encourage plant based meals as standard and use of local produce.
  • We will ensure no single-use utensils are used for catering purposes.
  • Catering providers have been asked to provide food /drinks in a way that reduces food waste e.g. by providing self-serve options.
  • Catering providers have been asked to serve food in a way that leftovers can be donated.

Sustainability Co-Chairs

Lisa Zimmermann, MTU

Sarah Foley, UCC

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