Editor’s Note: This webcast originally aired on April 20, 2023. This post has since been updated to view the recording on-demand.
Ahead of Earth Day 2023, Commercial Integrator and rAVe [PUBS], teamed up to explore the topic of sustainability and AV. On Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 1 pm EST, manufacturers highlighted their sustainability measures, and experts discussed how to leave a smaller carbon footprint.
The 60-minute LAVNCH & LEARN was hosted by Dan Ferrisi, editor-in-chief of Commercial Integrator and Megan A. Dutta, editor-in-chief of LAVNCH [CODE]. The duo were joined by Christina De Bono, founder of Sustainability in AV (SAVe), who shared actionable tips for individuals and companies looking to decrease their carbon footprint.
The webcast also featured recorded interviews with the following:
- Rich Ventura, VP, Sony Electronics, Inc.
- Tim Troast, VP, Technology & Product Strategy, Legrand
- Althea Ricketts, VP, Corporate Initiatives, Shure Inc.
- Richard Jonker, VP Business Development AV-over-IP, NETGEAR
- Scott Freshman, COO, Visionary Solutions, Inc.
- Martijn Vanderwoude. vice president global marketing & business development, Philips Professional Displays at PPDS
“In 2019 alone, over 50 million tons of electronic waste including displays, cables, power supplies and other AV equipment was generated in North America and Europe, but less than 20% of e-waste is formally recycled,” says De Bono. “The AV industry has a large and growing impact on sustainability problems. While we contribute to these problems in several ways, the AV industry is well-positioned to make a direct positive impact in responsible waste management, carbon emission reduction and reduced energy usage. This LAVNCH & LEARN is the perfect vehicle to raise awareness, increase visibility and educate the AV industry on how to tangibly become a more sustainable organization.”
The event was sponsored by Legrand AV, PPDS, NETGEAR, Shure, Sony Professional Display Solutions and Visionary Solutions. In lieu of payment for sponsorship, each of the companies agreed to give $2K or more to the Earth-friendly 501(c)(3) charity of their choice.
PPDS, for example, elected to split its donation with $1k going to SAVe and $1K going to Trash Turtles, a youth-focused environmental awareness and clean up non-profit. “Trash Turtles was started by my niece when she was 10 years old,” states Alison Maxson, senior marketing manager at PPDS. “Our donation of $1K will go to support her annual Hope Scholarship fund that is giving out to a selected high school senior that has demonstrated their involvement in helping to keep and improve our environment.”
Shure elected to make a $2K donation to SAVe. “Sustainability is important to our associates and our customers around the world,” adds Althea Ricketts, vice president of corporate initiatives at Shure. “From the millions of batteries we save from going into landfills with our rechargeable technology, to the updates we’ve made in greener packaging, to improving energy efficiency at our facilities, Shure takes environmental responsibility seriously because it’s the right thing to do.”
View the webinar recording or read the webinar recap here.
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