Help us Achieve a Greener SXSW 2010

If you are one of the 20,000 industry professionals who are starting to make plans to attend SXSW Music, Film or Interactive in 2010, you may also want to find out about ways in which you can reduce your carbon footprint during our events. You can start planning now on how to reduce carbon emissions at SXSW by using less energy, using cleaner energy and supporting companies that are doing the same.

What SXSW is Doing to be Green!

Paperless Planning

Whether you are registering for SXSW, applying for a music showcase or submitting a film, we are proud that switching to secure web-based communications has made SXSW more efficient and has greatly reduced the amount of paper used in our offices.

The SXSW paperless revolution was kick-started in 2003 by the Music Department with the switch to an electronic showcase application option. By 2007 the artist application process was completely paperless. For the 2008 season, the Registration Department went paperless and saved 12,000 sheets of paper a year! In the last two years the Interactive and Film Departments have made the switch from paper to online as well.

Solar Power at SXSW

For SXSW, sustainability begins at home. Or more specifically, on the roof. Since installing an array of solar panels on our building over a year ago, we have generated 7,143 kilowatt hours of clean energy, making a significant dent in our electric bill and our carbon output.

Since our staff lives and works in Austin, SXSW has a vested interest in reducing our carbon footprint year round. As a dynamic company, we know that our greatest challenge lies in simply managing our carbon output while continuing to foster the growth of our event. In that spirit, we hope our efforts towards sustainability help create a greener, cleaner city.

SXSW Goes Carbon Neutral

SXSW became a carbon neutral company in 2006. Since then, SXSW has remained committed to our carbon neutral status. We continue to find new ways to lower our footprint and offset our carbon every year.

Solar Pump

We are excited to announce our unique partnership with the Roskilde Festival and Austin-based Sol Design Lab, in a mutual exchange that will explore both the artistic and practical applications of clean energy.

Read more here!

Green Transportation & Lodging

Hotels

Since 2007, more than half of SXSW's official hotels have attended an annual "sustainable hospitality" brainstorming session; hosted first by SXSW and then by the ACVB. The hotels reported initiatives that ranged from using all CFL bulbs to installing grey-water recycling for irrigation. Other green practices employed by various hotels include water-conservation fixtures, staff conservation training, use of renewable energy and guest room recycling. 76% of hotels surveyed agreed that implementing ‘green actions’ generates new business. Click on the following for more information on how choose a green hotel!

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Transportation

With thousands of people flocking to SXSW every March, there can be a substantial increase in the amount of carbon emissions released into our environment. Each SXSW attendee, however, can do their part in helping to reduce their carbon footprint. There are a number of environmentally-friendly ways of navigating Austin during SXSW while also decreasing your carbon footprint. Find out more information by clicking below.

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Green Marketing

When considering which products and services to use to market your company or artist at SXSW, we recommend that you make informed, environmentally sustainable choices. Though at times it is seemingly inconsequential, a combination of small actions significantly aids in the reduction of environmental impact. We have made the following adjustments to our collateral material in an effort to make more environmentally-conscious marketing decisions. Find out more about our marketing sustainability initiatives by clicking below.

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