Sustainability at SXSW

Planning for a Greener SXSW 2009

If you are one of the 20,000 industry professionals who are starting to make plans to attend SXSW Music, Film or Interactive in 2009, you may also want to find out about ways in which you can reduce your carbon footprint during our events. Did you know that a carbon footprint has two parts: primary - emissions generated by the things you do and secondary - emissions produced in the manufacturing of products and services that you buy? You can plan to reduce both at SXSW by using less energy, using cleaner energy and supporting companies that are doing the same.

Paperless Planning

Whether you are registering for SXSW, applying for a music showcase or submitting a film, we are proud that switching to secure web-based communications has made SXSW more efficient and has greatly reduced the amount of paper used in our offices.

Factoid: The SXSW paperless revolution was kickstarted four years ago by the Musicfest Department with the switch to electronic showcase applications. Two years ago the Registration Department went paperless and saved 12,000 sheets of paper a year. Last year was the turn of the Interactive Department year to move from paper to online and this year the Film Department are making the switch.

Green Up Your Accommodations

When choosing from hotels at http://sxsw.com/attend/hotels/ select the icon to display the hotel's environmental policy document posted on the hotel’s amenities page.
When you book your hotel consider ways to get around -- walking, pedicabs, public transportation--as options to taxis and rent cars.
When you check in, let your concierge know that you want to support any specific environmental actions they may have put in place during SXSW.
Remember to turn off your lights and water when you leave your room. Set your air conditioning a few degrees higher while you're out.

Factoid: In 2007 and 2008 more than half of SXSW's official hotels attended a "sustainable hospitality" brainstorming session that we hosted and 35 responded to our ‘Green Actions’ Survey. Of these, 27 have installed energy saving measures, 25 have installed guest key card systems and 24 have installed compact fluorescent bulbs. 21 SXSW hotels have office recycling facilities, 16 use water conservation fixtures, and 20 train staff in conservation and energy procedures. Just 2 hotels purchase renewable energy but 4 hotels offer guest room recycling facilities and 5 survey guest views on their Green Actions. 76% of hotels surveyed agreed that implementing ‘green actions’ generates new business. How does your SXSW hotel stack up? (Source 1)

Travel to SXSW

Book non-stop flights when possible -- takeoffs and landings are the most fuel-intensive part of air travel
Consider alternatives to air travel when practical
Consolidate business flights so they are multi-purpose
Read up about the pros and cons of Carbon Offsetting and make an informed decision (Source 2)

Factoid: Carbon offsets enable individuals and businesses to reduce the CO2 emissions they are responsible for by offsetting, reducing or displacing the CO2 in another place, typically where it is more economical to do so. Carbon offsets typically include renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects. (Source 2)

Factoid: one ton of CO2 (a flight from New York to London) correlates to the volume of a swimming pool, 10 metre wide, 25 metre long and 2 metre deep (Source 3)

Factoid: Aviation contributes to climate change in a number of ways. Aircraft emit carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX), they cause vapor trails and influence the formation of cirrus clouds, all of which increase the natural greenhouse effect. (Source 4)

Marketing at SXSW

When you are considering which products and services to use to market your company or artist at SXSW, we recommend that you think about how environmentally sustainable they are and make informed choices. It’s the combined impact of small actions by you and many other like-minded people that all add up to reduce environmental impacts.

Advertising

If you advertise with SXSW, rest assured that all SXSW directories and event publications are printed on FSC Certified paper. A product bearing the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) seal originates from a well-managed forest. (Source 5).
Whichever printing company you select to communicate your message, choosing FSC certified papers is just one of many ways for your business to demonstrate environmental and social responsibility.
We recommend that you talk to your SXSW Sales rep about the many environmentally friendly opportunities to place your message during SXSW

Big Bag Inserts

The SXSW Sales team is offering several eco-friendly Big Bag insert options and is encouraging companies to select useful or biodegradable items to select in the Big Bag.
If you are printing an item to insert in the Big Bag, then ask your printer for options using FSC certified paper, recycled paper and vegetable dyes.
Print your materials in Austin to avoid transport costs and potential delays through US Customs.

Official Parties

High Beam Events will be happy to help make your official private party as environmentally friendly as possible by offering greenware catering supplies.

Travel during SXSW

Walk when practical -- central Austin is relatively compact and pedestrial friendly--stroll along the 10-block pedestrian zone on Sixth Stret
For a wide range of public transport options during SXSW, refer to the page on the SXSW website For a wide range of public transport options during SXSW, refer to the page on the SXSW website http://sxsw.com/getting_around/
For a second year, SXSW has hooked up with Bicycle Sport Shop to offer delegates a wide selection of rental bikes to suit every riding style: road bikes, mountain bikes, comfort bikes and tandems.
Why not use pedicabs instead of taxis?
Please don’t bring your car into the downtown area if at all possible
CapMetro bus services are inexpensive and the routes are extensive. Plan your travel at www.capmetro.org.
CapMetro's 'Dillo trolley-buses provide free travel east/west on 5th and 6th streets and north/south on the Congress avenue corridor
If you must hire a car, hire a hybrid or diesel vehicle
Participating Enterprise Rent-A-Car locations offer customers the opportunity to benefit the environment by offsetting the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated by their car rentals.

Factoid: Avoiding just 10 miles of driving every week would eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year! (Source 6)

Factoid: By opting to pay $1.25 per rental, Enterprise Rent-a-Car customers will fund certified offset projects that work to remove CO2 released into the atmosphere. This cost is based on the average CO2 emissions generated by our average rental. And they will match customer contributions dollar-for-dollar up to a total of $1 million. Through this program, they have joined with TerraPass to help their customers make an easy, sustainable choice to make their car rental "carbon neutral." (Source 7)

Energy

Do invest in rechargeable batteries for your mobile gadgets
Don’t forget to remove the phone charger from the socket when you’re done
It’s a good idea to switch off your equipment at source when not in use
Turn off your computer monitor anytime you are away from your desk for at least an hour

Factoid: In the UK leaving appliances on standby creates one million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year. This wastes enough electricity to power UK street lighting for over 4 years, produces enough CO2 to fill over 20 million double decker buses or over 730 million hot air balloons and wastes electricity equivalent to the annual energy needs of nearly 400,000 homes. (Source 8)

Factoid: Using power management features on your computer can save more than 600 KWh of electricity and more than $60 a year in energy costs. That equates to nearly half a ton of CO2 – more than lowering your home thermostat by two degrees Fahrenheit in the winter or replacing six standard light bulbs with compact fluorescents (Source 9)

Factoid: In a recent poll, 57% of workers said they turn off computers at home when they are done using them, whereas only 34% do so at work (Source 10)

Expand Your Eco Awareness

Attend panels during SXSW Film, Interactive and Music Conferences that have a green agenda.

Read one book: "The Weather Makers" by Tim Flannery.
Subscribe to one newsletter: www.treehugger.com.

Don’t Toss Your Trash

Think before you buy – reduce your consumption and avoid packaging
Fast fashion is bad for your carbon footprint – buy vintage clothes on South Congress
Find ways to communicate your message without generating a waste stream
Ask for recycled paper when you photocopy or print
Refill your drinking water bottle from water fountains in the Austin Convention Centre
Look around you for a recycling bin before you toss that unwanted paper, empty bteer bottle or plastic container.

Eating and Drinking

Drink tap water in restaurants not bottled water
Request locally grown organic produce that’s in season from the menu
Reduce your meat consumption
Ask for Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar
Check out Texas beers and wines!

Factoid In May 2008, Austin City Council approved Resolution No. 20080522-024 directing the City Manager to eliminate City purchase of disposable plastic water bottles for use inside governmental facilities in City Hall and to present a plan to the City Council for reducing plastic bottle use in all City operations (source 10)