The Canadian Water Summit isn't just Blue: it's Green!

As organizers of the Canadian Water Summit, the Innovolve Group has partnered with a host of leading suppliers to make it a green event! Below are some of the behind-the-scenes efforts that ensure the Canadian Water Summit is a green meeting.

Water

Reduced consumption due to the following initiatives at the International Centre:

• Retrofitting of plumbing fixtures & other water-consuming equipment.
• Replacement of majority of toilets to low flush. Changed the automatic flushing system in the men's washrooms to a 'demand flush' system which has saved tens of thousands of gallons of water per year. Upgraded 40 rooftop HVAC units that saves 11,000,000 gallons of water per year.
• State-of-the-art kitchen is equipped with cooking ovens save in upwards of 70% in water and 50% hydro via EcoSmart Technology.
• Internal offices now have coolers and reverse osmosis water systems installed in lieu of bottled water; a "Thank You for Abstaining from Bottled Water Usage" policy is in place for all internal and client hosted meetings.
• Bulk filtered water stations are available options instead of bottled water, to reduce the use of plastic containers.

Recycling

• Diversion of all recyclables from area landfill, including glass, plastic, paper and other recyclables.
• The kitchen recycles all of its used cooking oil into biofuel.
• All paper products such as cocktail napkins and bathroom tissue are made from 100% recycled material.
• The majority of retail packaging and serving materials are PLA compostable or 100% recyclable
• No plastic bags or boxes are offered at retail outlets or for 'to-go' lunches; reusable lunch bags are offered
• In lieu of paper/cardboard signage the International Centre encourages use of all LCD screens within the conference centre rooms

Bullfrog Powered

• Electricity used by the conference will be offset with 100% green, emissions free and renewable electricity courtesy of Bullfrog Power – our Energy Sponsor. As a result, renewable electricity that is certified under Environment Canada's EcoLogo program will be added to the grid.

Energy consumption

• Energy use has been reduced and indoor air quality improved through the use of high efficiency Merv 11 filters at the venue.
• Filtered outdoor air is used whenever possible.
• Over the past two years, electricity consumption has been reduced by 335,0000 kWh throughout the venue by retrofitting light fixtures
• One third of hall 1 roof at the venue is set up as a cool roof that delivers high solar reflectance and high thermal emittance - this lowers the temperature in the hall by 10 to 12 degrees in the summer. Plans are in place for the completion of the hall 1 roof by the end of this year.

Transportation

• The Canadian Water Summit is fully accessible by public transit (GO Bus from Toronto's Union Station to the Malton GO Station. Pearson Int'l Airport: Bus stop is located near the venue's front entrance on Airport Road, serviced by Mississauga Transit).

Registration/Communications

• 99% of all registrations for the Canadian Water Summit are processed via an on-line registration system. Also, delegates are asked not to print their conference confirmation notice, as a listing of delegate registrations will be available on-site.
• All delegate, sponsor and speaker communications take place via email
• Delegates are asked to recycle their eco-friendly name badges
• On site, delegates will only receive those conference materials that are of great importance in partaking in a well-run Water Summit.

Food & Beverage

• Locally sourced food & beverage focusing on 'in-season' options where possible, will be served during meal functions - endorsed by Foodland Ontario, Greenbelt, 100 Mile Market and the Wine Council of Ontario.
• The International Centre has food share programs with Second Harvest, the Mississauga Food Bank and Knight's Table.
• Excess organic food waste is collected and hauled for compost.

Venue

• The Canadian Water Summit takes place at one of the first major event venues in Canada to staff a dedicated Manager of Corporate Sustainability. The International Centre houses a diverse task force of over 25 staff to implement, manage and maintain their CSR initiatives. The Centre is a founding member and acting ambassador of the Partners in Project Green Hospitality Consortium group VASE (Venues Aligned for Sustainable Excellence).

Accommodations

• Out of town guests of the Canadian Water Summit are invited to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport. The hotel has a 4 Green Key Hotel Rating, is a member of Partners in Project Green and is working on its LEED Certification.

If you have further ideas for how we can green the Canadian Water Summit, we'd love to hear from you: green@watersummit.ca