Sustainability Policy

As a proud SEDEX member, GEM Events recognises that businesses can have a negative impact on the environment. We are committed, and enjoy, finding ways in which we can reduce the impact of our work - both in the office and out. 

Policy

GEM Events is committed to protecting public health by conducting our operations and activities in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. We are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations. We recognise that reducing and, where possible, eliminating the environmental impacts of our activities is an important part of what we do. We strive to be a leader in our industry in achieving environmental excellence and will work with our employees and other internal and external entities to establish and follow principles that will guide our environmental practices.

GEM Events guiding principles and practices to achieve resource conservation, waste reduction, and sustainability overall are summarised below:

  1. Comply with mandatory requirements and conduct our activities and operate our facilities within applicable environmental laws and regulations
  2. Conserve energy and other natural resources
  3. Encourage employees to use mass transit
  4. Reduce, reuse, and recycle to reduce waste
  5. Minimise the production of hazardous waste
  6. Adopt green procurement practices
  7. Ensure all employees complete the environmental awareness training
  8. Continue to review and minimise the impacts of our activities

 

Responsibilities

a) Energy Conservation 

Employees shall:

  1. Turn off lights when not in use and use natural light when possible.
  2. Turn off, not just log off, all computers, terminals, speakers and other office equipment at the end of every work day.
  3. Turn off your power strip at the end of every work day. 
  4. Activate the power down features on your computer and monitor to enter into a low-power or sleep mode when not in use.
  5. Unplug equipment that drains energy even when not in use (e.g., cell phone chargers, fans, coffee makers, desktop printers, radios).
  6. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in desk lamps as opposed to incandescent lights whenever possible.
  7. Use the stairs when possible.
  8. Utilise videoconferencing and conference calls as an alternative to travel when possible. 
  9. Limit the use of space heaters.

 

b) Reduction of Materials Consumption

Employees shall:

  1. Avoid using paper by distributing and storing documents electronically.
  2. Print and photocopy only what you need and double side your jobs when possible.
  3. Tell staff and colleagues that you prefer double-sided documents.
  4. Use the back side of old documents for faxes, scrap paper, or drafts.

 

c) Reduce Fossil Fuel Consumption and Air Pollution

Employees shall:

  1. Ride mass transit or other alternative forms of transportation, whenever possible.
  2. Use carpools or vanpools, when possible, over single use cars.
  3. Telework one day a week, if possible.

 

d) Minimise Waste and Increase Recycling 

Employees shall:

  1. Use durable reusable beverage containers, plates, and utensils. 
  2. Reduce the amount of toner in documents that will be printed when possible. 
  3. Print documents in black and white or grayscale whenever possible.
  4. Recycle paper, paper products, plastic, binders, folders, catalogs, boxes, bottles, cans, batteries, electronics, toner and ink cartridges if located at the Bethesda campus .
  5. Recycle plastic and paper products in accordance with county regulations if located  Montgomery County facilities other than the Bethesda campus.  Plans for implementing such recycling will be developed by the Green Team. 
  6. Donate used furniture and electronics

 

e) Minimise Toxics and Hazardous Waste

  1. Do not pour toxic or hazardous substances down the drain. 
  2. Reduce the use of toxic chemicals and use less toxic alternatives wherever possible.
  3. Do not use or purchase mercury or mercury-containing equipment, unless approval has been obtained. 
  4. Design experiments, when possible, to use less toxic or hazardous substances.
  5. Purchase chemicals in the smallest quantities needed to avoid over-ordering.
  6. Dispose of hazardous chemicals appropriately.

 

f) Commitment to Green Purchasing

Employees shall:

  1. Purchase copier and printer paper that contains at least 30% post-consumer recycled content. 
  2. Purchase office supplies and furniture that contain the highest percentage of recycled and non-toxic content whenever possible.
  3. Purchase products that contain bio-based content whenever possible.
  4. Purchase computers and monitors with at least a Bronze rating. 


g) Increasing Awareness of GEM Events Impact on the Environment and Public Health

All employees are required to complete a Code Of Conduct and sustainability training upon joining.

 

 

 


It is our policy to:

  • Host events which are free from single-use plastic. We recently did this with Insomnia Gaming Festival in both Dubai and Saudi (the first time it was ever done in the region). 
  • Recycle as much waste material as possible
  • Avoid the use of paper wherever possible. For example, sending invoices and quotes via email as PDF files.
  • Recycling equipment that is no longer of use to the company. For example, giving away items such as computers and printers that we no longer use.
  • Keep energy usage low. For example, making use of low energy light bulbs throughout and ensuring that computers are shut down after work.
  • Reuse waste paper (from the printer) where possible, making use of the blank side for notes, etc.
  • Purchase products made with recycled paper. For example, paper towels, printer paper
  • Purchase products with a lower environmental impact. For example environmentally safe soaps and detergents.
  • Avoid unnecessary travel by making use of instant messaging, video and audio conferencing, telephone, and email.