ATW 2009 - Towards a Green Meeting

The 36th Aquatic Toxicity Workshop organizing committee hopes that the environmental footprint of the ATW 2009 will be as low as possible. All aspects of that event are planned with sustainable development and environmental considerations in mind. The organizing committee aim at reducing the negative environmental impacts by reducing wastes, reducing carbon emissions and increasing social benefits by, for example, purchase locally-grown produce.

Here are examples of concrete actions to reduce the environmental impacts of the ATW 2009:

• Attendees guide will be printed on ENVIRON 1000 paper containing 100% of post-consumer recycled fibres, which is Eco-logo certified as a bioenergy (biogaz) produce processed without chlorine;
• Abstracts will be available only in an electronic version on the ATW website;
• Use of public transport and car sharing (click here to have more information to plan your trip to La Malbaie);
• Estimate your carbone emission associated with your transportation to La Malbaie (round trip) in the following table and choose the amount you want to invest to offset it. You can pay this amount during the registration process on the website or on site during the workshop;

  For each 1000 km and each passenger:	CO2 (ton)	Offset cost
  Car	0.25	$7
  Bus	0.05	$1
  Train	0.10	$3
  Plane (short trip, less than 1600 km)	0.13	$4
  Plane (long trip, more than 1600 km)	0.60	$16

• Offset your carbon emissions (during the registration process). All the money will be used by the 36th Aquatic Toxicity Workshop organizing committee to participate to tree planting projects and support projects in developing country (energy infrastructure, etc.);
• Bring your pens, paper and bag!

The hotel Fairmont Manoir Richelieu is already committed in a green plan:

• The hotel uses durable dishes and tissue napkins;
• Guests have the option of no second-day sheet and towel change to save laundry energy and water;
• Recycling bins are available in guest rooms, meeting room and offices;
• A composting program is about to start for kitchen wastes in partnership with a local company;
• The hotel has a comprehensive energy management program (e.g., lights are turned off when not needed, 85% of fluocompact lights);
• The hotel has a water conservation program, in particular for the bathroom and shower uses;
• Purchase of Eco-source paint, without C.O.V;
• Rainwater is used for garden irrigation;
• Objects and food are given to local charity associations;
• Beluga adoption;
• Old cell phones are collected and sent to Mira Foundation;
• ...

For more information on the hotel commitment, please consult their Environmental policy.