At the Kent Event Conference and Event Centre located within the Kent Showground, we are committed to integrating sustainability into all aspects of our operations. We recognise the importance of minimising our environmental impact, promoting social responsibility, and supporting the local community. Therefore, we have developed the following sustainability policy to guide our actions and ensure continuous improvement:

1. Environmental Conservation:
2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: We will minimise waste generation by implementing effective recycling and waste reduction programs throughout the showground.
3. Energy Efficiency: We will strive to reduce energy consumption by implementing energy-efficient technologies, optimising heating and cooling systems, and promoting energy conservation practices.
4. Water Conservation: We will monitor and minimize water usage by implementing water-saving technologies, repairing leaks promptly, and promoting water conservation awareness among our staff and visitors.
5. Sustainable Transportation: We will encourage the use of public transportation, carpooling, cycling, and other sustainable modes of transportation among our staff and attendees. Additionally, we will provide adequate facilities and incentives to support these efforts.
6. Sustainable Procurement: We will prioritize the procurement of environmentally friendly products and materials, including those that are locally sourced, recycled, or certified as sustainable.
7. Social Responsibility:
8. Community Engagement: We will actively engage with the local community to support charitable initiatives, promote local businesses, and contribute to the overall well-being of the community.
9. Diversity and Inclusion: We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment where all individuals are respected, valued, and provided with equal opportunities.
10. Health and Safety: We will prioritise the health and safety of our staff, visitors, and the community by implementing robust safety protocols, providing adequate training, and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment.
11. Continuous Improvement:
12. Monitoring and Evaluation: We will regularly monitor and evaluate our sustainability performance, set measurable targets, and strive for continuous improvement.
13. Stakeholder Engagement: We will actively engage with our stakeholders, including staff, customers, suppliers, and the local community, to gather feedback, share best practices, and collaborate on sustainability initiatives.
14. Compliance and Transparency: We will comply with all relevant environmental regulations and standards, and we will strive to maintain transparency by regularly communicating our sustainability efforts and progress to our stakeholders.

• Printed materials are kept to a minimum.
• All marketing materials promoting the event are conducted electronically
• Conference delegate badges made of paper (FSC certified) and no plastic badge wallets are used
• We reuse conference lanyards
• We are working with sponsors to minimise materials they, or delegates, dispose of whilst at the conference
• The conference guide is printed on recycled paper and a limited run is produced
• The exhibitor information is available on a QR code so no exhibitor pack is printed
• We will not supply single-use plastic water bottles
• We are using reusable crockery instead of disposable coffee cups at the conference
• Conference topics include ESG, responsible sourcing, supplier diversity, sustainable innovations, circular economy

• Calculate your carbon footprint using the WWF environmental footprint calculator. Whether you’re able to attend or not, it’s a great tool for tracking your impact on the planet and learning about what changes you can make to limit it
• Please make sure to deposit your lanyard and badge in the reuse/recycle boxes provided at conference registration – you can even automatically register for the next event at the same time
• Please follow the waste separation instructions at the venue
• Be thoughtful about all conference-related printing that you do and aim to reduce this where possible
• We encourage delegates to bring notepads made from scrap paper
• Send fewer emails – research commissioned by OVO Energy in 2019 found that if each UK adult sent just one less ‘thank you’ email a day, it would save over 16,433 tonnes of carbon a year – the same as 81,1522 flights to Madrid or taking 3,3343 diesel cars off the road

• Take steps to ensure your stand design and build is as reusable as possible and accessible to all
• Avoid using dates and event details on your stand and marketing equipment
• Purchase equipment that is designed to last
• Ensure equipment is as recyclable as possible when it is no longer usable. Alternatively, see if it can be donated
• All delegates should be able to attend and enjoy your stand. Ensure your stand is accessible to all, and that all delegates are treated equally
• Spread the word – share your environmental work and encourage environmentally responsible behaviour by your staff, contractors, and customers
• Inform stand staff and volunteers about your sustainability actions
• Follow The Green Blue on social media, sign up to the quarterly newsletter, and share the free resources found on The Green Blue

Work to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!

• Please be mindful of waste before, during and after the event. Try to bring as little as possible with you (but don’t forget your refillable bottle)
• Eliminate the use of single-use plastics on your stand, including plastic bags
• Avoid plastic packaging; instead opt for recyclable or biodegrade packaging
• Go one step further and request that any suppliers also avoid using plastic packaging
• Provide paper bags (ideally made from recyclable / FSC sources) or reusable tote bags
• Only offer sustainable and recyclable promotional giveaways
• Think! Is the giveaway practical and useful? Can it be re-used? Is it recyclable? Is it sourced from an ethical/ sustainable supplier?
• Join the refill movement, ensuring you only use re-usable water bottles and/or re-usable coffee cups on your stand
• Encourage stand staff and volunteers to bring a re-usable bottle or provide one. Refill stations will be provided throughout the venue: locate and promote your closest refill point to those on the stand
• Reduce the use of paper and printing in preparation, during and after the event
• Go digital: try using USB sticks, QR codes, URLs or emails instead of printed leaflets and brochures
• Make any printed materials timeless – no dates or event details so they can be reused
• Only use FSC-certified paper and ensure as much printed material as possible is recyclable
• If you need to print, consider the source of paper, use only vegetable-based inks and avoid laminating
• If staying in a hotel, consider its location (distance to the venue / accessibility to public transport) as well as the hotel’s sustainability credentials
• Check to see if the hotel has an environment or sustainability policy in place. For more information explore the local accommodation information
• Use public transport or car share where viable to get to the venue, before and during the event
• Take a look at the venue’s travel information
• Look into hiring an electric vehicle if a few of you are travelling, it may be cheaper than expected. Use the postcode WC2B 5DA on ZapMap to find the nearest charge points