This year at TEDxEastVan we are taking extra steps to make our event as green as possible. Here’s what we’re doing to further this campaign and how you can help.

Our local Green Team is made up of volunteers that are dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability before, during, and after the event. We recognize environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility and we are committed to hosting a green event.

Our vendors

We have done our best throughout our planning over the last few months to select vendors and contractors committed to sustainable practices. Our team will be establishing waste diversion stations and signage so that each and every one of our attendees and volunteers can easily dispose of any waste the right way.

To help reduce the waste at the event overall we will be using the Aboriginal Centre’s catering services with local food items served in compostable, reusable, or recyclable packaging and are minimizing single-use items. Our snack service will be provided by EnRoot who will provide zero packaging food items.

This is not just about reducing waste but also benefiting our community which is why we are also participating in a food recovery program with Food Stash. They will pick up any leftover meals and snacks and deliver them to one of twenty-six organisations they work with in BC including the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and Broadway Youth Resource.

And our favorite part, the ‘swag bag’. Our sponsors have opted to go with an electronic alternative to the physical swag bag, which will be electronic coupons full of fun, zero-waste treats for all attendees.

Getting there

We have done our best to select the event and after-party locations in close proximity to each other with access to public transportation to reduce environmentally-unfriendly travel. A big yellow school bus will be waiting outside the venue to transport attendees to our after party location and back. If you want to help out but need to drive you can always carpool with the awesome new friends you make at the event.

Here's what you can do:

• Vancouver has a vast range of options and very reliable public transport. Try taking the bus, skytrain or ride a bike to the event. Or, if you live close, enjoy some fresh air and walk to the event (before the winter sets in).
• We are encouraging all our volunteers and attendees to bring a reusable water bottle or mug to reduce the need for disposable cups on the day of the event.
• Take some time to properly sort your waste into bins provided and keep recyclables contaminant free and if you’re not sure just ask one of our volunteers.
• Participate in our ‘Share the Warmth’ clothing drive. Instead of discarding of your clean warm clothes, bring them to our event and the Move Share Care Network will set up a bin to collect the donations. They will then bring these to First United Church in the Downtown Eastside.