After completing a waste assessment through an on-site audit, two Dell Technologies Forum events were the first to achieve zero waste event certification by SCS Global Services (SCS), a third-party sustainability and environmental certification company headquartered in Emeryville, Calif.  

Organized by Kestone Global and in consultation with Saahas Zero Waste, these two Dell regional events in India were held in Mumbai and Bangalore and achieved 98.64% and 92.88% diversion, respectively.  

From New York to Bangkok, Dell Technologies produces a number of these regional B2B conferences that feature thought leaders and tech experts, use-cases and the company’s latest products and solutions, and networking with like-minded tech advocates, 

How it worked: The third-party certification from SCS was awarded to the tech events for their successful diversion of waste from landfill through recycling, composting, waste-to-energy, and resale. Waste diversion efforts included recycling and compost receptacles, onsite sorting teams, and efforts to utilize reuseable event equipment. 

What they’re saying: “The events were an integrated approach with the teams involved, to juxtapose sustainability with technology,” said Sandip Pattanaik, national head, experiential marketing at Kestone Global, an integrated marketing and event solutions company with more than two decades of experience working with global brands. “We wanted to develop a format for the events that was truly forward-thinking and could set a model of sustainability and zero waste for future events to come.” 

Big picture: Indu Kannan, Senior Vice President of Kestone Global added, “At Kestone, our mission has always been to elevate experiences and reshape the future of events by seamlessly blending innovation and technology. This milestone event stands as a testament to our ability to push boundaries, delivering India’s first-of-its-kind sustainable events and setting a bold new benchmark for responsibility, impact, and the future of our industry.” 

Why it matters: “When you implement zero waste initiatives, the benefits can be significant—reducing waste generation and recovering valuable resources," said Arun Murugesh, vice president sales and marketing for Saahas Zero Waste, an Integrated Management Systems Certified social enterprise offering comprehensive waste management services. “We knew that third-party verification of our efforts was essential for the validity of the claims and their impacts.” 

Looking ahead: "These events prove that it is possible for industry leaders to host a world-class event that not only takes into consideration the waste footprint, but also proactively addresses the problem by identifying partners and putting processes into place to ensure waste diversion from landfills," said Inna Kitaychik, director, textile exchange and zero waste for SCS Global Services. 

Context: The 40-year-old SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. The SCS Zero Waste Certification program aims to recognize events, projects, and facilities that demonstrate waste diversion and reduction achievements.