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Sustainability

At the Royal Microscopical Society, we are committed to reducing waste, and making all of our activities more environmentally friendly and sustainable. 

We have already made a number of improvements to the way we operate at the RMS. If you would like to hear more about our environmental activities, you can view the RMS Sustainability Statement.

Initiatives at elmi2024

  • Promoting the use of public transport

  • Choosing a sustainable venue, with excellent transport links - ACC Liverpool, Sustainability

  • Not printing conference material but making it accessible online and through the meeting app

  • Reusing existing event materials like pens and notepads, no new materials created

  • Where possible, using local suppliers

  • Including vegan options and sustainable catering

  • All bottled water in session rooms replaced with glass jugs

Recommendations for sponsors

We encourage all the companies who are supporting our events to help us by:

  • Building reusable and modular structures, using responsibly sources, sustainable construction materials instead of single-use structures where possible

  • Asking your constructors to create as little waste as possible and to recycle all pallets

  • Replacing printed communication with digital materials where possible

  • Offering sustainable and responsibly sources give aways

  • Choosing sustainable materials for graphics where possible

  • Limiting single use plastic throughout your stand

  • Choosing reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable packaging wherever possible

  • Choosing more sustainable travel options

Current Initiatives

Name Badges 

All name badges at RMS events are now made of recyclable materials. We encourage all delegates to either recycle their badges at home, or they can hand their badge back to a member of RMS staff at the end of an event for it to be recycled. 

No Single-Use Plastics

We no longer produce single-use branded items at RMS events, instead, we are offering existing materials such as pens and notepads.  

Printing

We have reduced the amount of printing associated with each event, instead turning to electronic alternatives. This includes no longer providing a printed meeting booklet or resources, and instead emailing the resources out in advance of the meeting. Any printed materials that may be used at meetings is printed on sustainably sourced paper, and always recycled after the event. 

Suppliers

The RMS aims to work with suppliers with clear sustainability policies. Octanorm shell scheme and panels are re-used, except where damaged.

Ideas & Suggestions 

The Society is always open to ideas and suggestions in help increase our sustainability credentials, if you have any suggestions, please email Katie Reynolds.