A sustainable café and a fully recyclable cardboard tradeshow stand were among the initiatives in conscious waste reduction and energy management showcased at the recent Waste Expo and All-Energy Australia conference, hosted at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
These initiatives align with the venue’s own industry-leading sustainability practices.
The Zero Waste Café, operated by the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, featured 33 per cent plant-based items, no plastic packaging and all reusable cutlery, crockery and glassware. Leftover items were donated to food rescue organisation, OzHarvest.
To coincide with the expo and Sustainability Day, Goldfields Cafe served locally roasted speciality coffee, hot chocolate and certified organic and fair-trade tea, in edible cups, made from locally sourced oats and grains.
Furthermore, a fully recyclable cardboard stand, designed by Enphase and Opal, a leading sustainable packaging manufacturer, was unveiled. It featured a cardboard life-size house that is fully recyclable, eliminating over 80 per cent of waste that traditional expo stands generate.
