PPB December 2019

Gr een Pr oduc t s 12Ways Conference Pros Are Creating Waste-FreeMeetings The Australian Marine Sciences Association and event management organization Encanta created a near plastic- free annual conference this past July in Fremantle, Australia, and then developed these tips to help other organizations do the same. Their tips should whet suppliers’ and distributors’ imaginations for ways they can better serve eco-minded meetings and hospitality industry clients. 1 Stiff cardboard name badges with no plastic pockets 2 Bamboo lanyards with metal clips (for name badges) 3 100-percent jute/cotton conference bags (can be repurposed as shopping bags) 4 Option to pre-purchase a cup with an AMSA logo 5 Espresso coffee carts with returnable cups that were washed and returned fresh each day 6 Water jugs with glassware (or to refill personal water bottles) 7 No packaged mints 8 Sustainably sourced pencils and sharpening stations 9 Printed pocket program for daily use 10 Reusable plates, silverware and glassware 11 Delegates were asked to bring their own reusable water bottles and coffee cups 12 Dates were omitted from new banners for reuse at subsequent events Source: Convene magazine, the publication of Professional Conference Management Association. Brittany Glenn is a Dallas, Texas-area based writer and a former associate editor of PPB. An educational tool and promotional product in one, the Craft Gift Box Paper Straws are biodegradable and available in black, red or blue. This is a great choice for companies that want to communicate the message that reusable straws help reduce the amount of waste from single-use plastic straws, thereby protecting the planet’s oceans and marine life. Print a logo on the front of the box; the back of the box features the benefits of using eco-friendly straws. Peerless Umbrella Co. / PPAI 112666, S9 / www.peerlessumbrella.com If your client is interested in going green from head to toe, these Recycled Polyester Shoelaces will fit right in. They are domestically produced, dye sublimated and come in various widths and lengths. BamBams / PPAI 255565, S9 www.bambams.com | DECEMBER 2019 | 53 GROW