We believe in leading by example

At CleanMed, our commitment to environmental and social responsibility impacts every aspect of event planning and execution. From working with community stakeholders to seeking out carbon offset strategies and prioritizing local and sustainably sourced food, our goal each year is to bring you the most sustainable CleanMed conference yet.

We recognize that the single biggest contributor to an event’s carbon footprint is travel, which accounts for 90% of carbon emissions. At the same time, we recognize the value of human interaction, face-to-face meetings, and coming together as a network.

How do you strive to reduce carbon emissions and hold in-person meetings? Balance and transparency

With every annual conference, CleanMed aims to strike a balance between reaping the benefits of in-person collaboration with mitigating the environmental impact of such meetings. We do this by holding ourselves accountable and measuring sustainability targets with the help of MeetGreen, our sustainable event consultants.

CleanMed organizers follow an intentional event sustainability plan, which includes but is not limited to:

Rethinking, reducing, and reusing resources
Reducing onsite carbon emissions where possible
Offsetting carbon emissions for CleanMed staff and attendee airfare
Working with venues to prioritize local and sustainably sourced food
Eliminating disposable or single-use plastics where possible
Composting and/or donating excess food from meal events
Prioritizing waste reduction and providing recycling throughout the conference
Communicating with registered attendees prior to the conference to provide actionable ways they can help reduce the event’s environmental footprint

Producing a sustainable event involves a concerted effort across vendors and supply chains to help transform an industry

Eco-friendly venue selection

When choosing a host location for CleanMed each year, we begin by asking to see their environmental policy and relevant certification. We focus on choosing venues that:

Have good access via public transportation
Have energy-efficient lighting and HVAC and water-conserving plumbing fixtures
Provide their own technical support to reduce the need for equipment transportation
Offer opportunities for outdoor activities to make the most of natural surroundings

Waste minimization and diversion

Reducing waste at every level – from paper products to food waste – is critical to ensuring a sustainable event. Our waste plan for CleanMed includes the following strategies:

Eliminating handouts and other paper-based materials
Selecting sustainable options when printed materials are necessary
Replacing agendas and programs with a digital app
Ensuring paper and cardboard recycling bins are available
Distributing presentations electronically
Use digital options for feedback and surveys
Discouraging the use of paper note pads/business cards

Carbon reduction

Reducing the carbon emissions from large events is a key challenge to overcome. CleanMed organizers consistently look for ways to minimize environmental impact, including:

Minimizing the use of lighting, heating, and air conditioning
Choosing meeting rooms with windows that provide natural light
Actively promoting the use of public transportation, bikes, and walking
Utilizing carbon offsetting strategies and providing CO₂ offset options for attendees
Encouraging attendees to act sustainably – promoting energy and water efficiency

Sustainable and healthy catering

Like any other aspect of planning a large event, the food choices we make can have a significant impact on carbon emissions. CleanMed chooses to work with venues that:

Prioritize and provide sustainable food and beverage procurement
Partner with local and organic food suppliers
Support our partnership with Greener by Default to make plant-forward options the default and give attendees the choice to opt in for meals with animal products
Avoid the use of plastic water bottles

Climate-smart consumables

Like many of the everyday products people use and discard, meeting consumables account for a large percentage of waste. CleanMed strategies for climate-smart consumables include:

Using alternatives to flip charts (such as dry erase boards and digital projection)
Prioritizing digital, rather than paper-based, signage throughout the conference
Selecting reusable name badges that can be recycled/reused
Choosing eco-friendly alternatives to meeting materials

CleanMed 2027 and beyond

The one-of-a-kind community atmosphere experienced at the CleanMed annual conference both inspires our attendees and serves as a catalyst for the strategies, tools, and technologies that will drive our collective work forward.

While we understand the importance of offering virtual options when practical, we aim to make CleanMed 2027 as sustainable as possible so that healthcare leaders can continue to come together for a shared purpose.

As society faces future challenges, CleanMed is where we will continue to find solutions, foster collaboration, celebrate successes, and guarantee accountability. Practice Greenhealth and Health Care Without Harm remain committed to the sustainable planning and execution of future CleanMed conferences, actively working to ensure a sustainable and equitable future for all.