Small Steps – Big Impact
The Earth Overshoot Day reminds us year after year: we’re living beyond our means.
Events, too, have a responsibility to handle resources mindfully.
WordCamp Vienna 2025 demonstrates how sustainability can be implemented without fuss – but with real impact. Through many small decisions that, together, make a difference.
At a glance: 5 ways WordCamp 2025 is more sustainable
1. BYOL – Bring Your Own Lanyard
2. Fewer T-shirts, produced fairly & locally
3. Reusable bottles, distributed with intention
4. Central location, easily accessible by public transport or bike
5. Catering from local vendors directly on campus
1. BYOL – Bring Your Own Lanyard
Last year, WordCamp Central stopped producing lanyards. A small action that can have a big collective impact – for the sake of the environment. If you already have one at home, please bring it along.
And if you don’t have one? No problem – we’ll have a small number of extras on site for anyone who needs one.
Thanks for doing your part to reduce waste.
2. Fewer shirts – produced fairly & locally
Not everyone wants a new T-shirt – so attendees have the option to purchase a ticket without a T-shirt.
Those who chose one will receive a long-lasting organic shirt, fairly traded and fairly produced, printed in Vienna, using water-based, non-toxic inks. And not just anywhere: printing is done by Siebdruckeria, a local Viennese screen-printing studio that works exclusively with eco-conscious, water-soluble inks – free from plastic and heavy metals.
In this case, less really is more – especially when it’s done well. By the time this article was published, 43% of this year’s attendees had decided to produce one less T-shirt.
3. Reusable bottles
This year’s durable WordCamp bottles weren’t given out to everyone, but rather specifically to our speakers – as a small thank-you for their contribution.
If any are left over, they’ll be shared with volunteers, organisers or raffled off to attendees. A thoughtful approach that avoids overproduction while still showing appreciation.
Feel welcome and bring your own reusable bottle to avoid waste!
4. Climate-friendly access
The Campus of the University of Vienna – Altes AKH is centrally located and easy to reach by public transport, bike, or on foot. That reduces CO₂ emissions – and makes getting there more convenient for everyone. A conscious choice that aligns with the event’s overall approach.
5. Local catering, right from campus
The food is local, too: catering comes from the restaurant Gangl, directly on Uni Campus. Gangl attaches great importance to traceability of origin and sustainability, which is why its suppliers come from Austria and the surrounding area.
Short distances, local value creation, and significantly less CO₂ than trucked-in mass catering.
Tasty, practical – and purposeful.
Conclusion: Practical over perfect
Sustainability doesn’t have to be grand or complicated. Often, it’s enough to make conscious decisions – and act on them together.
WordCamp Vienna 2025 shows what that can look like: no perfectionism, no preaching – just many small, doable steps that truly make a difference.
