Delivering a technology experience that was both world class and sustainable.
In November 2019, in the midst of Australia’s bushfire crisis, drought and water restrictions, GPJ partnered with IBM to formulate a sustainability manifesto, “To make an impact on the market, not on the planet.” This manifesto would guide the design of IBM’s Cloud Innovation Exchange in Sydney and all of their A/NZ events thereafter.
We employed numerous tactics, including limiting the provision of single-use plastics, reducing food wastage with OzHarvest and Matthew Talbot Hostel and using ethically sourced and locally roasted coffee. We also recycled lanyards and badges, repurposed event build and stored a significant amount for reuse. We used 100% recycled materials where possible, provided food service packaging that was 100% compostable and donated 50 litres of water to Rural Aid for every litre consumed at the water stations.
Our action-based approach delivered some impressive results, including:
- 166,000 litres of water donated to our drought-affected farmers via Rural Aid
- 1950 coffees made from ethically grown and locally roasted beans were served in compostable cups without plastic lids
- 155m2 of event build was recycled from prior events
- 2000+ lanyards collected for reuse
- 6 pieces of custom-built furniture and plants donated to a local public school
- 1500+ delegates received a handmade, recycled, Australian native, seed-paper ‘Thank you’ card as they left