Environmental Responsibility at the Défi sportif AlterGo
At AlterGo,we firmly believe that environmental responsibility is a natural extension of our mission. We are convinced that social inclusion and environmental stewardship are inseparable and essential to ensuring that everyone can live in a healthy and balanced environment.
Since 2012, the Défi sportif AlterGo team has been committed to an environmental responsibility initiative aimed at maximizing the positive impact of our event while minimizing its ecological footprint. This initiative reflects our commitment to integrating sustainable practices into all of our activities and promoting an environmentally responsible way of life.
Our goal is to make the Défi sportif AlterGo an inspiring model of an environmentally responsible event. To achieve this, we encourage our partners, participants, and the broader community to adopt similar sustainable practices. Together, we can help build a greener, more inclusive future.
A Journey Toward Environmental Responsibility
In 2024, the Défi sportif AlterGo achieved a Level 2 certification under the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ) standard for responsible event management for the organization of the Défi sportif AlterGo.
The event was certified by the Réseau des femmes en environnement (Network of Women in Environment) and its Quebec Council for Eco-Responsible Events.
Initiatives implemented
Responsible Procurement
Timeless medals: We use timeless medal designs to minimize future production needs and encourage a sustainable approach.
Equipment rental: We rent our audio-visual equipment, chairs, and tables to avoid unnecessary purchases and reduce our environmental footprint.
Continued prioritization of local purchasing: We prioritize local purchases, such as maple products and apples as gifts for international athletes, as well as eco-friendly tote bags made in Quebec for VIP guests.
Plastic reduction: We have eliminated plastic water bottles by providing drinking fountains and water refill stations.
Eco-friendly tableware: We use only recyclable or compostable tableware to reduce our environmental impact.
Social impact
- Equipment lending to community organizations: We lend our equipment to other organizations to support the community and encourage the shared use of resources.
- Free event for everyone: We ensure that our event remains free and accessible to all, with no financial barriers.
- Food surplus donated to La Tablée des Chefs: Surplus food is donated to La Tablée des Chefs to help reduce food waste and support people in need.
- Accessible venues: All of our event sites are fully accessible to people with reduced mobility, ensuring an inclusive experience for everyone.
- Partnerships with local organizations, hotels, and major suppliers: We develop partnerships with community organizations, hotels, and key regional suppliers to strengthen our positive impact on the local community.
Waste Management
- Waste sorting stations: Compost, recycling, and landfill waste sorting stations are available at all event sites to promote responsible waste management.
- Reuse of coroplast signs: We reuse coroplast signs whenever possible to reduce the amount of waste generated by our events.
- Responsible of disposal damaged materials: Damaged materials are sent to the local ecocentre or to Uni-Recycle to ensure they are disposed of or recycled responsibly.
- The Green Team: A dedicated Green Team is present at event sites to educate participants, promote sustainable practices, and ensure effective waste management.
Awareness and Communication
- Creation of a Green Committee: We established an internal Green Committee, with three training sessions provided by the Quebec Council for Eco-Responsible Events to strengthen our knowledge and practices in sustainability.
- Sustainable Development Action Plan and Environmental Responsibility Policy: We developed a Sustainable Development Action Plan in partnership with the Quebec Council for Eco-Responsible Events and implemented an Environmental Responsibility Policy.
- Newsletter and social media awareness campaign: We published an article in our members’ newsletter and shared a Facebook post titled “8 actions qui rendent le Défi sportif AlterGo plus écoresponsable” to encourage sustainable behaviours.
- Sustainability quiz: We continue to offer sustainability-themed quizzes on cafeteria tables to raise awareness about sustainable development and inspire environmentally responsible actions.
Transportation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Management
- Carbon offsetting: We partially offset carbon emissions generated by the travel of our volunteers and our team.
- Promotion of public transportation: We inform visitors and volunteers about available public transportation options to help minimize our carbon footprint.
- Facebook awareness campaign: We encourage participants to use public transportation to attend the event, as highlighted by the results of a volunteer survey.
- Partnership with the Société de transport de Montréal (STM): As the official transportation provider of the Défi sportif AlterGo, the STM has been transporting international athletes for many years. In addition, the STM generously provides OPUS cards with transit passes, distributed through a draw among volunteers. This partnership encourages the use of sustainable transportation by providing volunteers with a concrete incentive to choose greener mobility options.
- Partnership with the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL): The RTL provides transportation for our national and international athletes from the South Shore.
