Green Meetings and Green Culture

Since May 2019, Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens have been proud bearers of two Austrian Eco-Labels (ÖU) and thus destinguiished as a Green Event Location and since 2022 also as a Green Museum.
Philipp Gamper, Head of Marketing & Events, tells us about the certification process and sustainable developments at Crystal Worlds.

Since the foundation of Swarovski, a principle of fairness for the community and the environment has been established in its global corporate culture. The decision to become certified with the Austrian Eco-label was made because it is a recognised and accepted certificate in the field of sustainability, while demonstrating sustainable practices to the outside world as a socially conscientious company.

Relatively few adjustments and conversions had to be made for certification, as some criteria were already fulfilled. The Swarovski Crystal Worlds obtain the electricity from the company’s own hydroelectric power plant, which also supplies electricity for the e-charging stations in the visitors’ car park, regulated water consumption, regional suppliers for example “Tiroler Goggei” from the neighbouring municipality Kolsass, while the Zillertal Bier brewery produces an exclusive Swarovski Crystal Worlds beer “Zillertal Nine Five 95”, coffee supplies are sourced from the Unbound coffee roasting company from Wattens and regional lemonade-makers, Chabeso, supply the Resaurant Daniels Kristallwelten. When it comes to maintaining the gardens, Crystal Worlds rely in part on animal support. Lawn mowers not only cut up grass, but also insects and small animals. Sheep, on the other hand, eat much more slowly and allow insects to escape. As a result, the green areas are not 100 % homogeneous, but they also promote the biodiversity of plants and insects.

“The greatest challenge, and one that required a great deal of time and effort, was digging up the documentation and thus proof of existing sustainable activities, as well as finding the relevant documents and compiling the figures, data and facts that were relevant for certification”, Philipp tells us.

At the moment, relatively few customers are still deciding to hold a certified event. However, the Swarovski Crystal Worlds team provides active support and shows sustainable alternatives. All in-house events are organised as environmentally friendly as possible.

Philipp’s tip for a green meeting

“If a location is already certified as a Green Event Location, then the prerequisites for a Green Meeting are already fulfilled to a large extent, i.e. there is little or nothing to prevent it from happening. So, go for it!”

Author
Kathrin Horntrich
Digital Communications & Community Management
kathrin.horntrich@convention.tirol