Environmental Statement 2010

Baxter Travel Media is committed to making RTTF 2010 an environmentally responsible event and is working closely with all stakeholders to plan and implement a conference which will reflect green meeting best practices. The intent of this environmental statement is to inform and educate our stakeholders of the actions being taken to make RTTF carbon neutral by minimizing our environmental footprint and offsetting what cannot be reduced any further.

1. Venue

   RTTF's 2010 host venue will be The Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Road, Toronto, Ontario M8X 1G5.
   The following initiatives will be in place for October 14, 2010:
   

   Environmental Initiatives

   • Elimination of pesticide usage on grounds.
   • Diversion of recyclables: including cardboard, glass, cans, plastic, organic waste.
   • Reduction of packaging with produce suppliers to avoid cardboard usage.
   • Reduction of usage of harmful products for the environment (bleach, drain openers etc.).
   • Implementation of a recycling committee to control our recycling program.
   • Recycle Inn soaps, shampoo, conditioner and body wash with a charity that sends the remaining unused portions to Africa.
   • Creation of a group of volunteers on Earth Day to clean up the Humber River Valley.
   • Addition of bicycle racks to encourage staff to bike to work.
   • Member of the "Seafood Watch Program" (we do not serve endangered fish species).

   Food, Beverage and Catering Services

   • Use of cloth, ceramic and glass instead of paper and plastic.
   • Use of cream pitchers and sugar bowls rather than creamers and sugar envelopes.
   • Use of juice pitchers and cereal bowls instead of individual packages.
   • Use of water pitchers instead of bottled water.
   • Use of mugs and biodegradable cups instead of recyclable plastic
   • Purchase of products and services that meet environmental specifications wherever these are available such as fair trade coffee, organic and locally grown foods.
   • Meals will be planned according to seasonal fruits and vegetables available locally. The menu is to be decided based on these considerations.
   • Information on the source of all food and beverages, especially if fair trade or local will be made available.
   • Donate leftover food to a charity such as Second Harvest.

   Lighting, Energy and Water

   
   Promote energy and water efficiency to participants and outline The Old Mill's current initiatives for conservation. These are:

   Lighting:

   • Replacement of incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving bulbs in the guest rooms.
   • Replacement of florescent lights with electronic ballast florescent lighting in kitchen, back hallways, and storerooms.
   • Installation of light sensors to control outdoor lighting.
   • Installation of motion sensors in smaller meeting rooms, washrooms and storerooms.

   Energy:

   • Implementation of Johnson Energy Management System for heating and air conditioning.
   • Installation of digital thermostats in guest rooms with programmable set back heating and cooling temperatures.
   • Installation of electric pilots on gas stoves to encourage chefs to turn off gas.

   Water Savings:

   • Replacement of traditional toilet tanks with "low consumption" water-saver flush tanks in public washrooms.
   • Introduction of water-saver flush tanks in public washrooms.

   Waste Reuse, Recycle and Reduction

   • Inform conference participants of waste reduction and recycling programs by promoting environmental awareness in RTTF's pre-convention communication.
   • Separate waste at the source for future recycling. Provide visible bins.
   • Use appropriate recycling bins in all areas, place in central locations, readily available and clearly labelled.
   • Give purchasing priority to recyclable and post-consumer recycled products.
   • Use drymark eraser boards rather than paper in presentations.

2. Carbon Emissions

   

   All activities related to the event create a Carbon Dioxide (CO2e) footprint. Our sponsor, Pinchin Environmental will conduct an emissions assessment which will include:
   • Direct emissions from the conference venue
   • Transportation of attendees, organizers, presenters to and from the Conference
   • Accommodation
   • Emissions associated with disposal of waste products
   The result of the assessment will be made available at the conference.

3. Carbon Neutral Conference

   

   The emissions' assessment report will provide us with the approximate amount of CO2e generated by the conference.
   
   Following strategies to further reduce the environmental impact of the meeting activities, we will offset what cannot be eliminated. Our carbon offset provider will allocate the equivalent CO2e in offset projects such as renewable energy.

4. Distribution of Conference Material

   We are committed to using paperless technology as much as it is possible. This will include the distribution of speakers' presentations, event information and the publication of the RTTF showcase edition. The event program and speaker biographies, which will be distributed on the day of the conference, will be printed on recycled paper, using vegetable-based inks.
   
   RTTF conference bags and/or any other items which may be distributed to the delegates will follow a green procurement strategy and will include materials made of natural fibres which can be recycled and are biodegradable.
   
   We encourage our sponsors to also distribute their promotional material in a paperless manner and/or on recycled paper where possible.

5. Staff, Delegate and Sponsor Transportation

   Although we aim to make RTTF carbon neutral, we encourage all the participants to find the most environmentally friendly way to come to the venue. This may include taking public transportation, sharing car rides with colleagues, taking a non-stop flight, coming by train or coach, if time and distance allows, and if nearby, walking or biking.
   
   We will update the environmental statement periodically.
   
   Please help us to make RTTF 2010 an environmentally responsible event.
   
   Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions and/or suggestions.