Sustainability at WCLDN 2019

This year we’ve made sustainability even more important than it usually is for us here in London (and much has been incorporated previously, as with many WordCamps around the UK and the world).

We wanted to consider as many aspects as possible this year, not only the obvious plastic/paper usage, but more – what do we really need, what can be changed to have a lasting effect, and how can we balance the cost to the environment of our WordCamp.

What are we doing differently this year?

Instead of the venue providing disposable, one-use cups and bottles of water, this year the swag will include reusable water bottles and hot drink cups. Some of you have plenty of bottles and cups and will be happy to bring these for use – so the tickets sold from now include the option to not have this swag provided to you. And we will order accordingly, thus saving more plastic and potential waste. Those of you who already have your tickets – look out for an email asking you about this.

  • Travel
    • Providing more information on public transport options – bus routes plus rail and tube links.
    • and you can cycle to the venue; there are public access bicycle railings outside the Tower Building (to the left, outside the Students’ Union).
  • Bring your own WordPress lanyard – many of us have one from previous WordCamps and this means we can forward what spares we have to the next WordCamp for use instead of more having to be made. You will still get your printed badge/ticket on registration.
  • Only producing enough of everything that we need – the swag, the volunteer t-shirts, the signage – as much as we possibly can within timings of things. Buying your ticket as soon as you can will help with this.
  • Printing – David in our design team has been reviewing the signage posters to see what can be printed more efficiently and be less wasteful, while still providing the direction needed by attendees
  • Wapuu stickers – most of us do like our Wapuus, however all that plastic! So we talked with the sponsor-in-kind, Sticker Mule, about how we can still have our Wapuu but in a more eco-friendly way. Labels is an answer – less plastic and less wastage, and of course we will only print what we need.
  • And our traditional “thank you” to the speakers and volunteers is different this year – but we will share more on this nearer to the event…

We welcome any other ideas – pop a comment here or get in touch.