#WMS2025
#WMS2025
We’re aiming to make WMS 2025 our most environmentally sustainable Congress yet. We want all our delegates to be a part of our sustainability efforts, so this page gives you information about what we’re doing and how you can contribute.
Reducing the amount of meat on the menu. Meat comes with a high carbon footprint. It is also an element of many meals that makes it difficult to provide kosher or halal options. By reducing the amount of meat on the menu, we are reducing our carbon footprint while increasing the number of options with cultural dietary needs. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday will all be meat free days.
Providing less food generally. We all hate to see food going to waste, so we are working carefully with suppliers to make sure there is always enough food, but never too much. We have chosen food options that can be left out for longer, so the same snacks can be left out all day until they are gone instead of cleared away and thrown away.
Providing leftovers to service workers. We’re hoping there will be a lot less food at the end of each day. Because of local regulations, we can’t partner with a community fridge or other food redistribution charity this year, but we can allow people who work at the venue or for our suppliers to take leftover food away with them.
Reduce single use. From cups to cutlery, as much as possible will be washable. We will be using a combination of reuseable, washable and disposable food and drink service items. Please be mindful of this when you are disposing of your cups and plates and leave them on the side to be collected and washed if they are reuseable. Our approach includes printed and other materials
Encouraging you to bring your own. Unless you’re at the very beginning of your career, there’s a good chance you will have accumulated numerous lanyards from various jobs and events. With so many lanyards already in circulation, we want to try to avoid making more, so we’re phasing them out. We have a supply of lanyards left over from previous congresses, but we would like to ask you to bring your own. If you were at WMS 2024, you can use last year's lanyard. Unfortunately, we can't have people wearing anything other than plain or WMS lanyards because of the Congress accreditation rules. We’ll use up the ones we have left to give those who don’t have one to bring. We also encourage you to bring your own notebook and pen and your own water bottle to refill from our drinking water stations. The drinking water in Vienna is an exceptionally high quality and we want to reduce our reliance on single-use plastic.
Going local. As much as possible, we are using locally sourced ingredients and products. During our networking events, people serving the food should be able to tell you about where the food or drink has come from. You can also look out for the information cards on serving trays, which will feature allergy information as well as information about where the food has come from.
Prioritising public transport. Vienna has an excellent public transport system and the Congress Centre is well connected to all parts of the city. This year, we are offering every delegate a complimentary travel card for the duration of the Congress. You will receive your Metro ticket when you collect your name badge from the registration desk when you first arrive at the Congress. This means you will need to make your own way to the Congress venue from the airport or central train station. Only one Metro ticket can be provided per delegate. It is your responsibility to look after your complimentary ticket. Unfortunately, if you lose it or it gets damaged, you will have to replace it yourself. Replacement tickets are available to buy within Vienna's Metro stations. While you have your Metro ticket, you will be able to use it for all journeys within Vienna, including for your own social activities.
Look out for members of the Environmental Sustainability Committee at the Congress, they'll be keen to talk to you about our sustainability priorities and ask you questions about your own sustainability pledges during refreshment breaks.
