Lavoisier’s Law of Conservation of Matter states that “nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed.” While originally a principle of chemistry, it offers a meaningful lens through which to view sustainability. In the context of event planning, this idea reminds us that every material we use - whether it’s a printed badge, a food container, or a flyer - doesn’t simply disappear after the event ends. It has an afterlife, whether as waste, recycled material, or as something renewed or repurposed.
Taking inspiration from Lavoisier’s Law of Conservation of Matter, Trust-IT adopted a more conscious and practical approach to sustainability when supporting the organisation of the BioDT Final Event. Since the BioDT project itself focuses on biodiversity and digital tools that support climate resilience, it felt only natural to reflect those same values in how the event was delivered.
For the BioDT Final Event, we partnered with a local catering provider who used compostable packaging and sourced ingredients from local producers. To avoid food waste, we brought all leftovers back to the office and shared them with our colleagues.
We also made a point of not printing unnecessary materials, such as flyers. Instead, we provided plantable badges made from seed paper, which attendees could take home and grow into wildflowers (in this way, something typically discarded can become something living). A small plantable cube gift was also distributed to participants, offering a creative and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional event giveaways.
At Trust-IT, we are working towards reducing the environmental impact of the events we support, whenever possible - by limiting waste, rethinking materials, and designing experiences with sustainability in mind with local suppliers.
As we continue to support projects working on climate challenges, we’ll keep applying this mindset to how we plan and deliver our activities - because sustainability isn’t just about research, it’s also about everyday choices.
