MELBOURNE, Australia – Thanks to the collaboration with some of the best non-profit organisations in Melbourne, the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (Mice) is strengthening its sustainability of the show in 2023. Mice2023 announces that its sustainability partners are Co-Ground, OzHarvest and Reground. Each of them specialises in a different area of resource recovery that can benefit the coffee and café industry, and will be demonstrating their capabilities at the expo in August.
Mice2023 in Melbourne
“We want all visitors and exhibitors to know that we’ve put our best efforts into making Mice2023 the most sustainable event to date. We have a lot to celebrate this year, and it includes the number of sustainability partners and initiatives we have taking place throughout the show,” says Mice Show Director Lauren Winterbottom.
In partnership with exhibition and major event supplier, Harry the Hirer, Co-Ground aims to turn suitable exhibition materials into coffee carts for Co-Ground events. At the end of the show, reusable items from custom stands within the expo will be collected and turned into coffee carts.
“The aim with Mice this year is to create some assets that can further our social impact efforts through hospitality,” says Co-Ground Co-Founder and Managing Director Andrew Mellody.
“Waste is a massive problem in the coffee industry, and it’s a problem that we all need to solve,” he says. “Across the board, social responsibility and sustainability is more important than ever.”
“We are excited about working together with exhibitors to turn unwanted stands into coffee carts that can fund education, water access and Indigenous employment programs. These materials can have an ongoing social impact for years to come.”
Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, OzHarvest, will be on site to collect any remaining milk or food products to save being sent to landfill. A collection point will be available at the end of the show for exhibitors to donate any unused or unwanted items.
“OzHarvest is very excited to be teaming up with Mice this year,” says OzHarvest Victoria and South Australia Engagement Manager Alana Roberts. “The MCEC is an awesome partner of OzHarvest and regularly arranges the donation of surplus food from expos such as Mice.”
Alana adds that every meal collected from Mice will be diverted from landfill. “We are grateful for the opportunity to rescue all surplus food and coffee from the event and deliver it to charities that feed people in need,” she says.
Finally, local social enterprise, Reground, will be on site to collect coffee grinds to make compost for community gardens. The collection facility will be available every day during the show.
“We need to be extremely efficient in the way we collect coffee so we can get as much as possible,” says Reground Communications Manager Fiona Parsons. “Rather than just collecting the waste, we’re going to also start having conversations. It’s a massive opportunity to be there in-person and speak to exhibitors.”
Mice2023 will be partnering with such great associations and thankful to those who will contribute.
“It’s nice that the coffee industry is so forward thinking about sustainability and trying to drive a lot of these solutions themselves,” Lauren says.
She adds that the sustainability efforts of Mice will be a group effort, not only from the individuals attending but the team of organisations working together to reduce waste. “Partnering with these groups has been really beneficial,” Lauren says.
“Knowing that the waste will be sorted, and that leftover food and materials can be repurposed, is reassuring. The coffee industry celebrates each stage of the supply chain, and we want to make sure it doesn’t end at Mice. We want there to be an infinite cycle of usage, not waste. It’s really exciting to be at the forefront of these new features.”
Mice2023 will take place from 17–19 August at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. It is the largest coffee-dedicated trade show in the Southern Hemisphere and takes place annually.
Tickets can be purchased online here.
