A gigantic worm farm has been delivered to the Adelaide Convention Centre, ready to chomp its way through up to 350kg of organic waste each week.
The "organic digester" - solar powered and able to hold up to 800,000 worms - is one of a raft of measures the Centre has implemented to establish its green credentials to international and national clients as part of its Gold Service, Green Attitude philosophy.
Meanwhile, the Centre is planting a drought tolerant garden and is hosting its first Go for Green conference package this week, an Australian first allowing convention organisers to both reduce and offset carbon emissions caused by their event.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has chosen the package for its National Rural Financial Counselling Conference using renewable energy, items such as notepads made out of recycled paper and low food mile catering. ACC will also donate $5 for each of the 180 delegates attending the event to carbon offset plantings in South Australia through Trees for Life's Carbon Neutral program.
"Adelaide is one of the greenest cities in Australia, committed to limiting the State's greenhouse gas emissions by 108% of 1990 levels before 2012 and to 40% of 1990 levels by 2050," Adelaide Convention Centre Chief Executive Alec Gilbert says.
"Promoting a green convention centre in a green city is a powerful combination, further establishing Adelaide's reputation as Australia's Convention City.
"We are committed to creating a meeting and events industry that is both sustainable and responsible and the worm farm, drought tolerant garden and Go for Green packages are examples of ways we are achieving this."
The worm farm will be used to dispose of food that is left over from the thousands of meals that are served at the Centre each year. Fertiliser created through the break down of the organic waste will be used to sustain the drought-free garden which will include interpretive signage to help visitors create their own drought tolerant gardens at home.
Already Adelaide Convention Centre recycles about 10 cubic metres of paper and composts seven tonnes of food scraps in Biobins each month.
It purchases renewable energy, demands recycled stock for all its print jobs, will increasingly require its suppliers to have "green" credentials and is working with Zero Waste SA to develop guidelines to minimise waste at public events. An Environmental Committee, reporting directly to Mr Gilbert, continually looks at ways to minimise waste and ensure environmental best practice.
Further information: Jodie van Deventer, Deventer PR & Communications, on 0427 408 588 or jodie@deventer.com.au
