d2e Footprint

D2E – Put down the styrofoam cup and walk away slowly …
Could you imagine an event about treading more lightly on the earth ... that left a big fat environmental footprint? Neither could we.

That’s why we are making every effort to minimize the impact of Down:2:Earth.

So how are we doing it?
By doing exactly what we encourage attendees to do: be conscious of our choices. There’s the obvious stuff, like cutting down on printed materials, and using cloth banners that can be reused for several years. But there’s also some not-so-obvious stuff, as you’ll see below.

Board of Advisors

We convened a board of Boston’s eco-experts to help us cut through the greenwashing and find the best businesses, organizations, and speakers to participate in D2E.

D2E Powered by Renewable Energy

Mass Energy will offset the electricity used by the Hynes during our 3-day event with renewable energy.

Conscious Printing Practices

All of our post cards and posters will be printed on recycled paper with vegetable-based inks by the local worked-owned printing cooperative, Red Sun Press.

Cutting Our Carbs (Carbon, that is …)

The D2E organizing staff is on a Low Carbon Diet. We calculated the carbon dioxide emissions we personally create in a year, and are working as a team to lose 5,000 pounds of CO2 each!

Greening our Office:

In addition to shrinking our individual carbon footprints, we’re reducing the impact of our business operations as well. Some highlights of our green office include:

Furnishing our space with freecycled furniture
Recycling our waste paper with Earthworm, Inc.
Drinking our locally roasted coffee from reusable mugs
Commuting to work via public transportation, on foot, and by bike
Contributing our old yogurt containers to TerraCycle & Stonyfield Farm’s Yogurt Brigade, to become pots for plants

Sustainable Business Practices:

Down:2:Earth has joined the Sustainable Business Network of Boston – an organization of business leaders committed to promoting high ethical standards in business and environmentally sustainable practices.

The Hynes Convention Center

We chose the Hynes to host Down:2:Earth because of its location in the heart of Boston, easily accessible via public transportation, and the pedestrian-friendly Newbury Street neighborhood. They have been a great partner!

The Hynes Convention Center was the first in the nation to join EPA’s WasteWise program—and the first in Boston to implement a food-waste diversion into their waste reduction and recycling efforts. Here are more ways they are helping D2E walk the talk:

Energy Use

We’re reducing lights, power, and HVAC use during exhibitor move-in and move-out in the exhibit halls.
Sensor-controlled lighting is used throughout the convention center, in its executive offices, as well as meeting and conference rooms to turn off lights when not in use.

Water Conservation

BYOB (bring your own bottle) to D2E! We’ll have water coolers available throughout the space for our attendees, rather than offering bottled water for sale.
Restrooms have low-flow toilets and other water-saving devices.

Waste Reduction

Recycling: We’re providing recycling receptacles for paper, plastic, and glass throughout the exhibit hall. Additional materials recycled in the Hynes include aluminum, cardboard, food waste and grease.
Composting: Aramark collects food waste and sends it to local farms to be composted.
Donation: All pallets and carpet padding left from events and deliveries are donated to local organizations. Old carpet is shipped to a recycling facility in Framingham for recycling into cement blocks and asphalt to be used on state highways.
Purchasing: More than 80% of the bathroom supplies, such as hand towels and toilet paper, contain recycled content, and more than 80% of the cleaning products for carpets, floors, kitchens and bathrooms are environmentally responsible.

Food:

Aramark is making sure that D2E attendees learning about sustainable food are not forced to eat burgers and chips on styrofoam plates! They are working on a special menu for our eco-conscious attendees, including vegetarian options, locally grown fruits and vegetables, free range chicken, environmentally preferable fish, organic bread, and vegan desserts, all served in biodegradable packaging. Cool!