Get ready for a sustainable EuroPerio10 congress in Copenhagen

  Posted by: Dental Design      10th June 2022

EuroPerio10 is set to be the most sustainable EuroPerio ever. The world’s leading congress in periodontology and implant dentistry will be held 15 to 18 June in Copenhagen, Denmark, one of the most sustainable cities on the planet.

The green initiatives are part of the European Federation of Periodontology’s (EFP’s) priorities for sustainability as an organisation and for the dental professional more widely. EP10 sustainability actions include:

• 50% less printed materials compared to EuroPerio9.
• All printed materials made from recycled paper.
• Congress lanyards made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
• Cardboard used for many congress signs.
• Single use carpet placed only in essential areas.
• Coffee breaks featuring seasonal treats sourced as close to the venue as possible.
• Free public transport tickets for delegates.
• Speakers flying to the congress will carbon offset their flights.

The traditional EuroPerio programme was more than 300 pages and 10,000 copies were printed, but now all essential information is in the congress app. EuroPerio9 used nearly 10,000m² of disposable carpet, and this will be reduced by at least 50% at EuroPerio10.

EuroPerio10’s keynote speaker is the former chair of the Danish Commission on Climate Change Policy, Katherine Richardson, who is currently a professor in biological oceanography and leader of the Sustainability Science Centre at the University of Copenhagen.

Professor Phoebus Madianos, EuroPerio10 chair, said: “Join us for the top science in periodontology while minimising waste, using planet friendly materials, and keeping our carbon footprint as small as possible. EuroPerio10 will showcase how to hold a world class face-to-face meeting that emphasises the health of people and our environment.”

The moves are in line with the EFP’s Sustainability Manifesto which highlights that small changes can have a large benefit. In addition to hosting sustainable events, the EFP’s environmental measures include having a green office (e.g. recycling paper, printing less, switching off machines and lights when not in use), using online meeting platforms to avoid unnecessary business trips, choosing transportation with the least damage for the environment, and encouraging dental professionals and commercial partners to adopt the manifesto.

Professor Nicola West, EuroPerio10 treasurer and EFP secretary general, said: “Sustainability is at the heart of the EFP’s strategic plan for 2021 to 2025, and key decisions will consider the environmental, social, and human impact. We are making sustainability a part of our culture and integrating green values in everything we do. Our actions now will determine the future of our planet and the EFP has just launched a newsletter in which our partners share what is being done across the dental sector. Join us and spread the message using #EFPlanet.”