Sustainability

At the Royal Microscopical Society, we are committed to reducing waste, and making all of our activities more environmentally friendly and sustainable. This is especially important to us at our flagship event, mmc2025 incorporating EMAG 20235event.

We have already made a number of improvements to the way we operate at the RMS. If you would like to hear more about our environmental activities, you can view the RMS Sustainability Statement.

Initiatives at mmc 2025 incorporating EMAG 2025

  • Working with event:decision to undertake a sustainability impact report which will help track our carbon footprint and benchmark mmc across environmental, social and governance standards

  • Promoting the use of public transport

  • Choosing a sustainable venue, with excellent transport links - Manchester Central Sustainability Strategy 

  • Not printing conference material but making it accessible online and through the conference app

  • Reusing existing event materials like pens and notepads, no new materials created

  • Where possible, using local suppliers

  • Including vegan options and sustainable catering

  • All bottled water in session rooms replaced with glass jugs

Recommendations for sponsors

We encourage all the companies who are supporting our events to help us by:

  • Building reusable and modular structures, using responsible sources, sustainable construction materials instead of single-use structures where possible

  • Asking your constructors to create as little waste as possible and to recycle all pallets

  • Replacing printed communication with digital materials where possible

  • Offering sustainable and responsibly sourced give aways

  • Choosing sustainable materials for graphics where possible

  • Limiting single use plastic throughout your stand

  • Choosing reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable packaging wherever possible

  • Combine packages to save on delivery and choose a courier with sustainablility credentials

  • Choosing more sustainable travel options

Current Initiatives

Name Badges 

All name badges at RMS events are now made of recyclable materials. We encourage all delegates to either recycle their badges at home, or they can hand their badge back to a member of RMS staff at the end of an event for it to be recycled. 

No Single-Use Plastics

We no longer produce single-use branded items at RMS events, instead, we are offering existing materials such as pens and notepads.

Printing

We have reduced the amount of printing associated with each event, instead turning to electronic alternatives. This includes no longer providing a printed meeting booklet or resources, and instead emailing the resources out in advance of the meeting. Any printed materials that may be used at meetings is printed on sustainably sourced paper, and always recycled after the event. 

Suppliers

The RMS aims to work with suppliers with clear sustainability policies. Octanorm shell scheme and panels are re-used, except where damaged. The exhibition carpet is produced using zero latex, zero water and delivers significantly lower carbon emissions compared to traditional flooring. It is made from one material, and so every carpet can be easily recycled. 

 How can you help? 

  • Prioritise sustainable travel options, Manchester has an extensive multi-modal public transport network
  • Help to minimise waste by bringing your own reusable items
  • Make use of the recycling facilities within the venue
  • Consider going vegan for one day
  • Utilise digital versions of documents and programmes, most of which can be found on our app

Ideas & Suggestions 

The Society is always open to ideas and suggestions in help increase our sustainability efforts, if you have any suggestions, please email Katie Reynolds.