Sustainability
At the British Pharmacological Society, we know that running large-scale conferences has an impact on the environment. That’s why we are taking steps towards reducing our impact on the planet.
For the first time in 2024, we measured the carbon footprint of the event, using a comprehensive tool called TRACE by Isla. Building on this we measured again in 2025, improving the accuracy of our data and gaining an insight into the carbon footprint of our event. This has helped us to identify areas for reduction in the future. We will be measuring our carbon emissions again in 2026 by working with our venues and suppliers to measure the emissions we create from venue energy, travel and transport, event catering, and waste. You might have noticed in your registration form that we asked you how many miles you were travelling to attend the event and what mode of transport you were using. We’ll use all this data to form an accurate measurement of the total carbon emissions from our event
Guided by our findings, we are continuing to look at ways to reduce the impact of our event on the planet and have set up a Working Group specifically to evaluate and provide recommendations on changes we can make to the way we run our Annual Meeting.
Here are some areas where we are trying to reduce the impact of Pharmacology 2025 on the environment:
- We choose suppliers and venues with clear sustainability objectives and this forms part of our criteria when selecting who we will work with.
- Our event lanyards are all made with recycled plastic and our badges are plastic-free. We invite people to return their lanyards to us at the end of the event, so that we can re-use these in the future.
- To reduce printing, our detailed event programme will be available on our website and mobile app only.
- Our exhibition supplier works with a graphic recycling scheme to reduce exhibition waste. All the graphics on the BPS stand this year have been re-used each year since 2024.
- Speakers and staff will be encouraged to travel to the conference by public transport, wherever this is feasible. See information on travelling to Manchester.
- To support those wishing to travel from Europe without flying, we have secured discounted Eurostar fares for conference delegates. Please contact us for further details on how to access these reduced rates.
- This year, we have introduced a ‘minibus bursary’, to help universities to bring groups of students/staff to the event without needing to fly.
- Our event catering will be free from beef and lamb, with plenty of vegetarian and plant-based options available. Catering is one of the most significant sources of carbon emissions from any event. We plan to have one completely meat-free day at the conference, to reduce our emissions in this area.
City of Trees
We are fundraising for City of Trees and you will have the option to donate when you register for Pharmacology 2026 or at the event itself. You can also look at their public volunteering opportunities in case you would like to get invovled while you are in Manchester!
Sustainability at Manchester Central
Waste Management
- Manchester Central aims to divert all waste from landfill. After removing all recyclables from waste, anything non-recyclable is compacted into bales and transported to a Combined Heat and Power Facility. Here, energy is harvested from the residual waste to produce electricity and also steam which produces thermal heating.
- Kitchen and plate waste is sent to anaerobic digestion to be converted into fuel and fertiliser.
- Where possible, any unutilised food is donated to local charities:
- Left-over, packaged food is donated to the Mustard Tree or Homeless Project
- Raw/unprepped food i.e. fruit and veg is donated to Open Kitchen MCR
- Hot food from i.e. from buffets is donated to Eat Well
- They have recently invested in some new waste equipment within the recycling centre, which allows further improvements to waste monitoring processes:
- A set of scales that enables them to provide waste figures per event. Each individual bin is weighed and assigned to an event, before being taken offsite.
- Installed a general waste compactor, which has helped to reduce waste collections from three per week, to three per month on average; this has helped reduce transport and carbon emissions.
- Installed a Dry Mixed Recycling (DMR) compactor, which crushes all recyclable waste on site, meaning collections can be made in volume.
Energy Monitoring
- 160 smart meters have been installed, which precisely monitor electricity, water and gas usage and provide real-time information on energy usage.
- Dimmable LED lighting has been installed in over 90% of the venue.
- Passive infrared sensors (PIRs) have been fitted throughout the venue which turn lights on and off upon the detection of body movement.
Hospitality
- The venue purify and bottle water onsite using reusable glass bottles. They have also installed water fountains in both Central and Charter Foyers and all office spaces. This has helped to eliminate more than 5,000 bottles per year and encourages staff and visitors to say no to single-use plastic bottles.
- A herb cultivator has been installed which produces fresh, healthy, 100% organic herbs and greens right into the kitchens.
- Manchester Central has made a commitment to reduce single use plastic - straws and cutlery have already been eliminated.
- Re-usable cups are sold across the retail points with profits going to the “We love Manchester charity”. A £0.25 discount is offered to guests who have their own re-usable cups.
- They are proud to work with several local suppliers, such as Martins Bakers and Birtwistles Butchers, with a large majority of ingredients coming from within a 50-mile radius
- They have partnered with Klimato to present carbon labels on our menus, helping organisers to make carbon conscious choices.
We know that there is more we can do to reduce the impact of our activities on the planet. If you have ideas or feedback, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at meetings@bps.ac.uk and we would be happy to have to have a chat!
We are looking for a sponsor to help us offset our carbon emissions from Pharmacology 2026. If your organisation is interested in supporting our sustainability goals, please visit our Partner with us page and contact us for more information.
Visit Manchester
Explore Belfast's food, drink, galleries, spas, Christmas markets and other attractions.
Conference organiser
British Pharmacological Society
Telephone: + 44 (0)20 7239 0171
Email: meetings@bps.ac.uk
© Copyright 2026 British Pharmacological Society