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ICC Sydney’s refreshed signage supports waste reduction

12 Oct 2021

At ICC Sydney, we believe that knowledge is indeed power and education can bring about progress. To this end, we are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations, working with our partners and clients to facilitate sustainable events. We also recognise our responsibility to demonstrate leadership and make a positive contribution towards the waste crisis in Australia and the business events industry. Key waste management systems and processes are critical to the achievement of this objective.

The challenge in the business events context

The global convention and exhibition industry is one of the largest producers of waste in terms of industry size. As we emerge from the COVID crisis, we need to turn our attention and efforts to the climate crisis. For ICC Sydney, this means working with our clients as partners so that together we can reduce and divert waste from landfill.

Waste reduction – practical, visible and streamlined

In 2021, through a very thorough review process across all Departments, ICC Sydney’s CSR team has enhanced our waste signage program by identifying additional waste streams and seeking out educational and communication avenues for our clients, team members, suppliers and event attendees where to place their waste materials.

Located throughout ICC Sydney’s front and back of house areas at various touch points, the refreshed waste signage features striking colours and appealing imagery. This simple but effective messaging increases the ease with which event attendees can identify the correct place for their waste while further streamlining the waste management process, encouraging further diversion from landfill.

Complementary to our efforts to reduce waste from entering landfill, ICC Sydney’s Edible Centrepieces initiative allows clients to replace floral arrangements with table centrepieces from seasonal fruits, vegetables and herbs, sourced from the venue’s New South Wales-based network of suppliers. These unique arrangements are able to be displayed in complimentary recycled vases.

Post-event, the ICC Sydney Culinary Services team uses the produce to donate nutritious meals to the Matthew Talbot Hostel which serves food to men that are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Not only does this reduce waste but contributes to giving back to community members most in need.

Together we can make a difference

At ICC Sydney, we are dedicated to making constant small improvements to our Corporate Social Responsibility practices in order to deliver positive outcomes for our clients, attendees, team members and the broader community. As part of this process, we aim to not only minimise our water and energy expenditure but to reduce waste wherever possible, with the help of our new company wide waste signage program as well as our edible centrepieces initiative.

We invite all our clients, suppliers and attendees to take a moment to view the new signage and consider how you dispose of your waste next time you visit us – we are confident that together we can make a positive impact on our environment.