More than 3000 events take place at ETH Zurich every year. This has a significant impact on the university’s carbon footprint. In our efforts to be environmentally conscious, we have implemented a number of measures for IASS 2024 to minimise our footprint.
Waste Management
Bring Your Own Water Bottles: Swiss tap water is of excellent quality. During the symposium water dispenser are provided for drinking water. Fill your own bottle at our water stations – or at any faucet – this is how Swiss people do it! Zurich city boasts over 1,200 public fountains to refill your bottle anytime.
Bring Your Own Conference Lanyard: We all have plenty of lanyards at home that we no longer use. Instead of ordering hundreds of new ones, we ask you to bring your own lanyard to the symposium
Recyclable Symposium Badges: The IASS 2024 Badges are printed on 100% recycled paper, and may be recycled again at the close of the Symposium. Each badge is personal, has an Admission QR code, and contains all basic information for symposium participants.
Recycling Stations: The Swiss are world champions in recycling. Separate bins are provided for glass, cardboard, compost, paper, plastic bottles (PET), and metal. Please help us by using the correct bins.
Minimal Print Materials: IASS 2024 is striving to reduce printed materials at IASS 2024 and avoid waste. Whenever possible, we rely on digital documents and schedules.
Mobility & Transport
Public Transport: Zurich has an excellent public transportation system. With buses, trams, and S-Bahns, you can reach almost any destination in the city safely and efficiently.
Bicycles: Zurich hosts various bike hire stations and bike sharing systems that work without having a stationary infrastructure. You can get hold of a temporary bike in the city quickly and easily.
- Züri rollt rents bicycles for the day for free or for a small fee – ideal for exploring Zurich city.
- PubliBike is an E-bike sharing network with stations accros Zürich, including one conveniently located at ETH Hönggerberg; the symposium venue.
Campus ETH Hönggerberg: ETH Zurich is committed to accessibility: people with disabilities or people with special needs should reach out to the symposium organisiers to ensure their needs are met.
Catering
Seasonal, Regional and Vegetarian/Vegan menues: Our lunches are vegetarian and vegan, and feature seasonal, locally-sourced foods, keeping transport emissions low. Our catering partners have made pledges to support social and environmental sustainability. All beverages (e.g. wine, beer, soft drinks) are sourced from Switzerland.
Dietary Restrictions: At IASS 2024 we provide food that matches ethical convictions and religious identities. At your registration we indicated to notify whether you have any dietary restrictions and make every effort to cater to these needs.
Reduce Food Waste: Your participation and food preferences were asked in advance to plan our food procurement, to reduce food waste and disposal. Leftover food will be donated to students and food sharing organisations.
Compostable Plates and Cutlery: Compostable food packaging is used to minimise catering materials being sent to landfill. Compostable products are transformed into nutrient-rich soil. Please help us by disposing of compostable packing in the designated bins.
Social Sustainability
Partnership with AOZ: The Welcome Reception is catered by the AOZ, or “Asyl-Organisation Zürich,” which supports asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants. Established in 1985, it collaborates with government bodies to offer accommodations, legal advice, language courses, and integration programs. AOZ aims to facilitate the social and economic integration of migrants into Swiss society, ensuring their rights and well-being.