Sustainable Event Launch

The Office of Environmental Sustainability this week launched the Monash Sustainable Events and Sustainable Catering Guides to a large audience of Monash staff and students.  Attendees browsed displays by the University Club, The Den, Monash Meeting Point, Wholefoods, Corporate Express, Oxfam and others, tasting food and beverage samples and obtaining information on the many sustainable catering options available.

Launching the guide Paul Barton, Director, Office of Environmental Sustainability, said food had a significant environmental impact on the Monash Community.

 “The food we eat at Monash is a big player in terms of the environmental agenda,” Mr Barton told the audience.  But it wasn’t just the food that needed to be considered when planning a sustainable event, added Mr Barton.  Transport, energy, water, waste and procurement were all aspects that need to be considered. As well as the opportunity to communicate about sustainability issues to a wide audience through our events.

Ambassador for the launch of the guides, Kerrie Edwards, Executive Assistant to Vice Chancellor, Professor Ed Byrne, said “If we all think green we are going in the right direction to help the environment.”  She told the audience: “These are simple steps and if we all adopt them it will be making a difference.

 Copies of both the guides, together with reusable checklists for all types of events, can be obtained at the Office of Environmental Sustainability website at http://www.monash.edu.au/green.

Mr Barton said the push towards sustainability both in planning events and in all aspects of university life was not only helping the environment but was also good business.

“If we can do this we can save money by cutting down on energy consumption in many different forms.”