A sustainable event
We care about ecology, and we would like you to know that this year’s conference in Cluj-Napoca has been organized with sustainability in mind. We understand the importance of reducing our carbon footprint and promoting eco-friendly initiatives, which is why we are continuously doing so.
The venue
We are going to organise the conference at the same venue and we are happy to say that it uses LED lighting and it is easily accessible for our attendees via public transportation. The closest bus station is located just 100 meters away and buses run frequently from the city center, making transportation to and from the conference a breeze.
Food catering
When it comes to catering, we wanted to offer a variety of options that suit different dietary needs while also promoting sustainability and reducing food waste. We have included vegetarian and vegan options, and, in addition, the venue makes a commitment to donate any leftover food to local charities or people in need.
Waste management
Same as previous editions, we are committed to effective waste management during the conference, thus you will find labeled bins for recycling available throughout the venue.
We will continue having a special bin for recycling plastic caps. The money collected from the caps will be donated to charity through Capace pentru suflete, a local organisation.
We are also very excited about our initiative that encourages participants to return their badges and lanyards in separate bins at the end of the event.
Coffee and water
We know coffee is important for our participants, so we continue to take great care in improving this aspect when it comes to waste management. We will continue using 100% biodegradable cups, but, most importantly, we would like to encourage you to join us in making this conference as sustainable as possible by bringing your own reusable coffee cup.
When it comes to water, we are thrilled to announce that we’ve totally reduced our plastic use. We will have two water coolers and glass bottles ready and waiting for you. And, most importantly, we encourage you to bring your own water bottle.
Merchandise point
When it comes to our merchandise point, we will offer eco-friendly swag options, such as reusable tote bags made by people with disabilities from atelierul de panza, porcelain cups handcrafted by Logo Cups, socks made by a local producer and t-shirts made from 100% organic cotton.
Reducing paper use
Every year we try to minimize printing on paper as much as possible. We send all useful information to participants about the conference through our newsletter, and this year we have prepared a Conference Handbook for you, where you can find any information you need. Plus, there is no need to bring a printed ticket; simply show it to us on your phone.
Supporting Adopta un Copac
In addition to these initiatives, and because our mascot, Ecma, is a bear, we will encourage our participants to make a donation to the Adopta un copac organisation.
Adopt a Tree (“Adoptă un Copac”) focuses on:
- Increasing forest cover in southern Romania to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
- Encouraging responsible behaviour around how forest resources are used.
- Educating the public about why forests matter.
Under the Viitor Plus umbrella, from 2007 to 2023 more than 32,600 volunteers helped establish 205 hectares of forest by planting 1,423,000 saplings in some of Romania’s least forested counties. Every contribution counts! Just 25 RON covers planting and long-term care for one sapling.
All this being said, we believe that it is important to come together as a community to address some of the challenges facing our environment. By taking action and focusing on sustainable practices, we can create a positive impact. We look forward to seeing you at the conference where we can collaborate and share more ideas on how we can improve.