Sustainability

ANZCA is committed to minimising the health impact of climate change and promoting environmental sustainability and has taken measures to reduce its environmental impact. Learn more about ANZCA’s sustainability initiatives here.

Be connected reusable scrub caps

How do I get my hands on a #ASM23SYD reusable scrub cap?
Some of our in-person meetings, in the lead up to the ASM will be giving away an #ASM23SYD reusable scrub cap! Keep an eye out for them and make sure you pick one up.

How can I get my institution onboard with change?
Replacing disposable theatre hats with a washable cloth variety has been shown as a sustainable and economically viable alternative in many hospitals. Following a comprehensive literature search, and with input from several fellows, ANZCA has developed a LibGuide to support this.

Visit the ANZCA environmental sustainability page for some tips that might be useful in approaching your hospital.

“The choice of scrub hat has not been demonstrated to have any impact on risk of surgical site infections and we therefore advocate that reusable, freshly laundered and lint free hats are embraced as one way we can reduce the impact of our practice. Please engage with your institutions if reusable scrub hats are currently not sanctioned for use, otherwise get shopping!”

Dr Ann Lee and Dr Jessica Devlin-Hegedus

Read the full article in the ANZCA Bulletin page 64

Carbon offset – why your registration contribution matters

How did we get here?

To achieve its goal of understanding and mitigating the impact of the event industry on greenhouse gas (GHG) and climate change, ICC Sydney is working in collaboration with the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) to measure the estimated carbon footprint of events held at ICC Sydney.

To begin, the venue is working with the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) to undertake a pre-event carbon footprint assessment. A three step methodology has been used to estimate the carbon footprint of the ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting 2023:

Define: Define the assessment boundary of the event.
Identify: Identify all important sources of GHG emissions to be included in the assessment.
Calculate: Calculate the estimated carbon footprint of the event in consideration of relevant Australian reporting legislation and calculation and reporting guidelines.

The estimated GHG emissions associated with each identified GHG source within the assessment boundary has been calculated individually, using the new Event Carbon Calculator tool, developed by Edge Consultancy on behalf of EEAA. This data has been compiled to determine the overall estimated carbon footprint of the event, or carbon emission profile.

The pre-event carbon footprint assessment also allows for ANZCA to work in collaboration with ICC Sydney to seek sustainable solutions during the event planning stage, including opting for more carbon-friendly catering, providing biodegradable lanyards and recycling stations and reducing paper waste by going digital.

Thanks to the team at ICC Sydney and their work to estimate our carbon footprint, we are offering delegates the option to purchase carbon offset credits to help us reduce our carbon footprint and minimise the impact of our ASM.

Where does my offset go?

ANZCA has partnered with Australia’s first carbon offset provider and environmental not-for-profit, Greenfleet to take climate action and reduce the carbon footprint of this years’ ASM.

The event offset with Greenfleet covers the average carbon footprint of a person attending an in-person event. It takes into account the transport to and from the event, the average utility use, food consumption and waste management for a one-day event. When you offset your emissions, Greenfleet will plant trees in a legally protected forest that will capture your emissions over their lifetime.

At time of registration, you have the option to contribute an extra:

$2 – Offset carbon footprint for 1 day of the meeting (FPM Symposium delegates)
$4 – Offset carbon footprint for 2 days of the meeting
$6 – Offset carbon footprint for 3 days of the meeting
$8 – Offset carbon footprint for 4 days of the meeting
$10 – Offset carbon footprint for 5 days of the meeting

Greenfleet offsets carbon emissions on behalf of our supporters by planting native, biodiverse forests in Australia and New Zealand. As they grow, these forests remove carbon from the atmosphere, conserve biodiversity and build critical habitat for our wildlife. Greenfleet has been delivering climate action for over 25 years. Since 1997, they have planted more than 10 million native trees across 500 legally protected forests that will remove 4 million tonnes of carbon throughout their lifetime.

You can learn about Greenfleet’s projects and see where they are growing here.

What ANZCA is doing to reduce our carbon footprint at the #ASM23SYD

– Bring your own keep cup and water bottle to Sydney! Washing stations will be available in the HCI exhibition, making it easier for delegates to use these whilst onsite.
– As part of the college’s commitment to environmental sustainability we have eliminated printed registration brochures, handbooks, and pocket programs from Annual Scientific Meetings (ASM).
– Providing access to the ASM scientific program virtually and promoting the onsite ASM mobile app and our virtual platform OnAIR.
– In most cases we use digital signage and where possible single use signage has been eliminated. If printed signage is required, we ensure it is printed on recycled material and able to be recycled.
– The ANZCA 2023 lanyards are made of bamboo which is a renewable resource and eco-friendly product that will break down over time. We will have dedicated recycling stations in key areas at ICC Sydney.

Something we are proud of – did you know for the 2019 ASM in Kuala Lumpur, not one single use plastic water bottle was served as part of delegate catering or speaker refreshments? We are committed to ensuring this is the case for future ASMs. Your support of this is well noted and we need your help to ensure this is upheld.

What you can do to reduce your carbon footprint at the #ASM23SYD

– Make sure you recycle your lanyard! Look at out for the recycling stations
– Pack, take and use your own keep cup and water bottle to the 2023 ASM. Filtered water stations and washing stations will be available throughout the healthcare industry innovation centre and on all levels outside the main meeting rooms.
– Where possible, reuse hotel linen, as this will help save water.
– Choose to offset the carbon emissions of your flights. Most airlines offer this for a small fee.
– At time of registration choose to offset your in-person conference experience. The 2023 ASM will be offset to Greenfleet.

Here are some of the ways ICC Sydney and our suppliers are working for better outcomes

– ICC Sydney is part of the first precinct in the world to be awarded the highest accolade of 6 stars under the Green Building of Australia’s Green Star Communities certification.
– ICC Sydney is working with the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) to undertake a pre-event carbon footprint assessment. The pre-event carbon footprint assessment also allows for ANZCA to work in collaboration with ICC Sydney to seek sustainable solutions during the event planning stage, including opting for more carbon-friendly catering, providing biodegradable lanyards and recycling stations and reducing paper waste by going digital.
– To learn more about ICC Sydney’s commitment to sustainability and the environment, please visit their website.
– We’ve engaged with Harry the Hirer, who will build our healthcare industry exhibition and have worked with them to identify more sustainable options for the healthcare industry exhibition. Their approach to events includes the four R’s – Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle, Reduce! Read more here.

How we work with the healthcare industry exhibitors and sponsors to reduce their environmental impact

We encourage sponsors and exhibitors at the 2023 ASM to take responsibility for their own footprint.

This includes:

Eliminating single use flyers/brochures/signage and utilising the virtual event platform for online documents.
The 2023 ASM exhibition company Harry the hirer can recycle fabric banners that can be made into mattress fillers.
Harry the hirer is a hirer company and all items used for the exhibition area are re-used multiple times. Booth panelling/walls can be re-used up to ten times.
Recycling all package where possible and consider what you are bringing in and taking all items and material back to their office.
Using reusable coffee cups and water bottles throughout the duration of the ASM. A wash station and hydration station will be placed in the HCI area to help encourage delegates with this initiative.