d2e down2:earth

D2E – Put down the styrofoam cup and walk away slowly …
Could you imagine an event about treading more lightly on the earth ... that left a big fat environmental footprint? Neither could we.

That’s why we are making every effort to minimize the impact of Down:2:Earth.

So how are we doing it? 
By doing exactly what we encourage attendees to do: be conscious of our choices. There’s the obvious stuff, like cutting down on printed materials, and using un-dated cloth banners that can be reused for several years. But there’s also some not-so-obvious stuff, as you’ll see below.

Board of Advisors

• We convened a Board of Boston’s eco-experts to help us cut through the greenwashing and find the best businesses, organizations, and speakers to participate in D2E. We meet with them on a regular basis to make sure we're staying between the lines.
  

D2E Powered by Renewable Energy

• Brighter Planet will offset the electricity used by the Hynes Convention Center during our three-day event with renewable energy.

Conscious Printing Practices

• All of our postcards and posters will be printed on recycled paper with vegetable-based inks by the local worker-owned printing cooperative, Red Sun Press.

Cutting Our Carbs (Carbon, that is …)

• The D2E organizing staff went on a Low Carbon Diet. We calculated the carbon dioxide emissions we personally create in a year and worked as a team to lose 5,000 pounds of CO2 each!
  

Greening our Office:

In addition to shrinking our individual carbon footprints, we’re reducing the impact of our business operations as well. Some highlights of our green office include:

• Furnishing our space with freecycled furniture
• Recycling our waste paper with Earthworm, Inc.
• Drinking our locally roasted coffee from reusable mugs
• Commuting to work via public transportation, on foot, and by bike
• Contributing our old yogurt containers to TerraCycle & Stonyfield Farm’s Yogurt Brigade, to become pots for plants
• NOT printing emails ... because isn't that the point? And printing everything double-sided when we need to.

Sustainable Business Practices:

• Down:2:Earth has joined the Sustainable Business Network of Boston – an organization of business leaders committed to promoting high ethical standards in business and environmentally sustainable practices.

The Hynes Convention Center

We chose the Hynes to host Down:2:Earth because of its location in the heart of Boston, easy accessibility via public transportation, and the pedestrian-friendly Newbury Street neighborhood. They have been a great partner!

The Hynes Convention Center was the first in the nation to join EPA’s WasteWise program—and the first in Boston to implement a food-waste diversion into their waste reduction and recycling efforts. Here are more ways they are helping D2E walk the talk:

 Energy Use

• We’re reducing lights, power, and HVAC use during exhibitor move-in and move-out in the exhibit halls.
• Sensor-controlled lighting is used throughout the convention center, in its executive offices, as well as meeting and conference rooms to turn off lights when not in use.

Water Conservation

• BYOB (bring your own bottle) to D2E! We’ll have water coolers available throughout the space for our attendees, rather than offering bottled water for sale. 
• Restrooms have low-flow toilets and other water-saving devices.

Waste Reduction

• Recycling: We’re providing recycling receptacles for paper, plastic, and glass throughout the exhibit hall. Additional materials recycled in the Hynes include aluminum, cardboard, food waste and grease.
• Composting: Aramark collects food waste and sends it to local farms to be composted.
• Donation: All pallets and carpet padding left from events and deliveries are donated to local organizations. Old carpet is shipped to a recycling facility in Framingham for recycling into cement blocks and asphalt to be used on state highways.
• Purchasing: More than 80% of the bathroom supplies, such as hand towels and toilet paper, contain recycled content, and more than 80% of the cleaning products for carpets, floors, kitchens and bathrooms are environmentally responsible.

Food:

Aramark is making sure that D2E attendees learning about sustainable food are not forced to eat burgers and chips on styrofoam plates! They are working on a special menu for our eco-conscious attendees, including vegetarian options, locally grown fruits and vegetables, free range chicken, environmentally preferable fish, organic bread, and vegan desserts, all served in biodegradable packaging. Cool!