Towards greener conferences: Addressing the sustainability of cosmeceutical samples

Abstract

It is widely known that during large-scale events, such as the annual EADV Congress, a great number of cosmeceutical samples are distributed to the delegates. The environmental impact of such products raises significant concerns due to the wasteful nature of samples. The publication by Salimi and Tso¹ in this issue places in the forefront sustainability implications such practices entail and proposes practical solutions for reducing environmental harm giving us food for thought on how to run greener meetings in the future.

Indeed, the most common practices linked to cosmeceutical samples are the single-use packaging plastics, the indiscriminately distribution and the negligent disposition of the products.¹ The magnitude of the problem should not be underestimated. Conferences of such size attract thousands of attendees, each receiving promotional specimens in quantities far exceeding individual needs. A significant portion of these items ends up discarded, contributing to plastic waste. The reliance on non-recyclable packaging exacerbates the problem, as these materials often end up in landfills, releasing harmful chemicals into the environment and microplastics.²

The authors clearly state feasible solutions to tackle this undesirable reality. Conference organizers are responsible for developing and implementing a green policy, part of which should be the inclusion of sustainable healthcare as a key conference agenda item. It is crucial that all the recyclable materials do not end up in landfills and so the conference could implement green policy, placing both recycling stations and boxes for reusable packaging. Delegates can also play an important part and make more sustainable choices by returning excess and unwanted items or even consider requesting samples from each company's local representative instead of collecting them at the conference.

On the other hand, industries must welcome the returned, unused samples from the delegates, as a part of the ‘reduce reuse recycle’ movement³ or donate them to the local community or charity. If there isn't a local representative of the company in an individual's country, the industry should be ready to assist the delegate to gain access to the samples through digital marketing. A carrier bag should be optional or the delegates should be invited to bring their own, packaging materials must be recycled and recyclable, and biodegradable/organic materials ought to be chosen over single use materials.

In order to minimize distribution of excess samples the adoption of digital sampling methods is required. By using QR codes, delegates can request product samples delivered to their homes, reducing the need for bulk distribution and minimizing waste. This approach has the added advantage for the industry as it provides companies with valuable insights into consumer preferences and enables a more targeted marketing strategy. The same technique can be applied to eliminate the paper leaflets and booklets that introduce the delegates to the products. It is important to take into consideration the fact that the world is going digital and that especially the younger doctors are already prepared to adapt to the new area.

Last but not least, a lifecycle analysis (LCA) is another crucial aspect that merits a significant role in discussions about sustainability. While the focus tends to be on waste disposal, the environmental impact of production is equally significant. The energy, water and raw materials required to manufacture cosmeceutical samples contribute to their overall carbon footprint. A comprehensive LCA would provide valuable insights into the most impactful stages of production and help identify areas for improvement.⁴

We live at a time that it is finally acknowledged that the protection of the environment is vital, that we all have a role to play in this endeavour, while more and more people are being concerned and want to do something about it. As Albert Einstein once said ‘we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them’. Studying and applying the solutions suggested by this perceptive publication¹ our somewhat outdated mindset can shift forward and we as dermatologists can contribute our share to the protection of our planet.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this article.