ASTRO is committed to doing its part to mitigate the effects of climate change on patient care and promote environmental sustainability practices within our field. While we recognize that face-to-face events, such as ASTRO’s Annual Meeting, offer a valuable way for our specialty to connect and network in person, we also understand the importance of organizing a meeting that is environmentally and socially responsible in terms of its consumption and production. In that spirit, below are some of the green initiatives that you will see at ASTRO 2025 and ways that you, as an attendee, can help lessen the meeting’s environmental footprint.
ASTRO
- Holderless name badge is made of recyclable material and bins are available to recycle your badge and lanyard.
- As part of ASTRO’s ongoing green initiatives, we are excited to provide attendees with a complimentary water bottle in their registration bag, courtesy of water bottle and hydration station sponsor – Mevion Medical Systems. We encourage attendees to utilize their water bottle at one of the many water refill hydration stations at the Moscone Center during the meeting.
- For areas such as Posters, Industry-Expert Theaters, and the ASTRO Resource Center, structures and signage have been or plan to be reused.
- Aisle carpet in the Exhibit Hall is made from 25% recyclable materials and reusable at future events. Once it is no longer usable, it is 100% recyclable.
- Digital signs are used outside of meeting rooms to display the session schedule.
- All posters are digital, thereby eliminating the waste that comes from traditional paper posters.
- Easel and meter board signs are made of a recyclable material.
- A meeting app, the Annual Meeting Portal, has been employed for meeting schedule, exhibitor directory and other helpful information and digital options are used for attendee feedback and surveys.
- A fully virtual meeting has been implemented for those unable to attend or travel to the meeting in person.
Venue - Moscone Center
As the host venue for the 2025 ASTRO Annual Meeting, the Moscone Center is an industry leader in the area of sustainable practices. The Moscone Center currently holds the US Green Building Council's highest level of certification, LEED Platinum for Existing Building Operations and Maintenance for the entire campus. Some examples of specific green efforts include:
- The Moscone Center solar project is the largest rooftop solar installation by area in San Francisco and generates fewer carbon commissions per visitor than many other major convention centers in North America.
- The Moscone Center’s drainage system captures and treats over 15 million gallons of groundwater annually for re-use in plumbing, landscape irrigation, and street cleaning, effectively acting as a mini water treatment facility.
- The Moscone Center and its catering partner, SAVOR, operate an on-site composting program that captures all food waste, compostable serveware and utensils from events.
- SAVOR, Moscone Center’s exclusive caterer, also provides plant-based, climate-friendly catering, using compostable packaging and donating unused food.
- Zero-waste stations with color-coded bins are located throughout the Moscone Center to support San Francisco’s composting and recycling initiatives.
- Each year, the Moscone Center diverts over 1,200 tons of material from landfill, including 200+ tons donated to local schools, food banks and nonprofit organizations.
- Water bottle refill stations are located throughout the building.
Visit the
Moscone Center website to learn more about their sustainability practices.
Hotels
Click on the links below to learn more about sustainability programs that many of ASTRO’s official hotels have instituted to reduce their environmental impact.
What can you do as an attendee to reduce your environmental footprint while attending ASTRO 2025?
- Use the complimentary water bottle provided in your registration bag to take advantage of water refill stations located throughout the Moscone Center.
- Choose to reuse your towels, skip daily housekeeping and remember to turn off the lights in your hotel room during your stay.
- Use recycling bins located throughout the convention center and in hotels to dispose of waste materials.
- Exchange contact information with exhibitors using the scan code on your badge, thereby limiting the use of paper business cards.
- Most of ASTRO’s official hotels are conveniently located within walking distance to the Moscone Center. ASTRO provides complimentary shuttle service to the convention center for some of the hotels at a further distance.
