GreenITStrategy.com

Within Microsoft recently we have undertaken a number of initiatives to make our events more environmentally friendly.  At TechReady, an event for internal softies to attend, they have published a number of initiatives, including:

• All attendees will be given a reusable water bottle to fill at water cooler stations throughout the TechReady venues. Biodegradable cups will also be available at each water cooler station.
• The majority of conference-created collateral, including pocket guides and notepads, will be printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper (processed chlorine-free, printed with vegetable-based ink).
• Badge holders will be collected at the end of the event to be reused at future TechReady events.
• The Conference Store will be stocking a variety of environmentally friendly merchandise.
• Prizes for evaluation completion will include various solar-power gadgets.
• Air-conditioning/heating and lighting will be minimized during off-hours to minimize power consumption.
• Disposable plates and bowls utilized during certain meal times are made of 100% organically-grown bamboo, a renewable and biodegradable material. Cups, napkins and boxed lunch containers are also made with biodegradable and recycled materials.
• Menus will incorporate a variety of locally-grown and organic ingredients. Left-over food will also be donated to area food banks.

They had a similar initiative last year which resulted in:

• Recycled 14,240 pounds of mixed paper, glass, cans and plastic
• Recycled 12,400 pounds of cardboard
• Diverted 26,400 pounds of organic waste from the landfill and sent to compositing facility
• Saved 38,000 disposable water bottles from the waste stream
• 5,000 pounds of leftover food was donated to the Farestart program for those in need
• Nearly 700 badge holders were collected for reuse

At the Microsoft Australia Partner Conference this year, we have an award for Environment and Sustainability Solutions based on the Microsoft Platform. Check out Nick Mayhew’s Partner blog for details – judging will commence soon so if you are a partner, get your submissions in!

And finally in Australia at TechEd 2008 we are planning our own environmentally friendly initiatives – more announcements in this space soon!!!

Although some people might argue this is all contributing to greenwashing, I personally think that if Microsoft can improve the environmental efficiency of their events, it’s a huge boon for everyone, from the people that receive the unused food from the events (homelessness is a massive problem everywhere), to the attendees who can also feel good about recycling and reusing.