A Sustainable Desert Townhall: Ecocoast’s Commitment to Eco-Friendly Practices

Published on 26 Nov ‘24

Ecocoast employees participating in sustainable practices during a desert townhall, with eco-friendly activities and workshops.

Last Friday, 96 Ecocoast employees gathered for a Townhall in the middle of the desert. With perfect weather and a stunning backdrop, the event was an opportunity for reflection, team bonding and a celebration of sustainable practices. A key highlight was a workshop led by Sustainability Consultant Mariska Nell, where attendees learned to upcycle old T-shirts into no-sew tote bags, a fun and practical way to embrace zero-waste living.

Sustainability at the core

At Ecocoast, our solutions are designed to benefit marine environments – monitoring, protecting and regenerating coastlines and waterways. But we know that sustainability must go beyond the solutions we engineer and offer to you, our clients. It has to run through every aspect of our organization. That’s why we focused on organizing this Townhall with sustainability front of mind, ensuring the event aligned with our values and demonstrated our commitment to making a positive impact.

A zero-waste approach to event planning

Sustainability was woven into every detail of the day. Single-use items like plastic water bottles, cutlery, crockery and garbage bags were avoided entirely, with reusable alternatives taking their place. Cardboard boxes and hessian coffee bags were used for waste management, reinforcing the importance of reusing materials.

Recycling was also a top priority. All glass bottles and aluminium cans used at the event were collected and sent for recycling, ensuring they avoided landfills. Food waste was minimized with a buffet-style approach, allowing staff to serve themselves. Any edible leftovers were shared with drivers and catering staff after the event.

Water conservation efforts

To conserve water, marine toilets were used on-site, significantly reducing water consumption.

Protecting the desert environment

The event followed a strict carry-in, carry-out policy, leaving the desert untouched. This practice ensured the desert landscape was as pristine after the event as it was before. Locally sourced food and refreshments supported nearby suppliers and reduced the environmental impact of transportation.

To further reduce emissions, carpooling was encouraged both for travel to the camp and within the camp itself. These small but meaningful steps contributed to a more sustainable event.

Inspiring sustainable practices through education

Mariska Nell’s workshop on adopting a zero-waste lifestyle added depth to the day’s agenda. Her talk provided actionable tips on refusing, reducing, reusing and recycling waste, inspiring our colleagues to embrace these principles in their daily lives. The hands-on upcycling session, where we transformed T-shirts into reusable tote bags, was both creative and practical, leaving everyone with a reminder of the power of sustainable choices.

Ecocoast employees embracing sustainable practices during a desert townhall

Reflecting on the day

This desert Townhall was more than just a team-building event. It was a reflection of Ecocoast’s values and our dedication to sustainable practices. While our solutions already protect and regenerate marine environments, we recognize that our impact must be holistic. By integrating sustainability into every aspect of our operations, we reinforce our mission to create meaningful environmental impact while driving forward innovative marine solutions.

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A special thank you goes to Two Hands Consulting for helping us organize this incredible event. Their expertise and dedication ensured the day was a perfect balance of fun, education and environmental consciousness, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

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