The Society for Cinema and Media Studies is committed to fostering a greener and more sustainable future, as reflected in its sustainability efforts for the SCMS 2025 conference. Recognizing the urgent need for environmental responsibility, SCMS aims to reduce its ecological footprint, minimize waste, and promote eco-friendly practices.

Here are actions we're prioritizing this year to make progress toward our goals:

Community Impact

This year, we're offering attendees ways to give back to our host city, Chicago, through donations:

• Sarah's Circle: SCMS is proud to partner with Sarah's Circle, a Chicago organization dedicated to providing support and housing for women experiencing homelessness. Attendees are encouraged to donate unopened hotel toiletries (such as soaps, shampoos, and conditioners) to help those in need. Collection bins will be available at the Registration area, and all donations will go directly to Sarah's Circle to support their mission.
• Openlands: SCMS is proud to partner with Openlands, a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to tree planting, conservation, and enhancing urban green spaces. This partnership helps offset emissions from conference travel by supporting initiatives that promote environmental justice and public health throughout Chicago. Each $100 donation contributes to offsetting approximately 10,000 lbs of CO2e. SCMS will make a donation to Openlands and encourage our members to join us in supporting the Chicago community through this impactful cause. To donate, please visit the Openlands Donation Page.

Signage

We have significantly reduced the amount of signage used at our conferences, retaining only what is essential for a well-organized and easily navigable experience.

Reusables

We encourage attendees to bring refillable water bottles. Refillable water bottles will also be available for purchase at the registration desk.

Ways you can make an individual impact:

• Recycling: Use paperless check-in/check-out and digital billing. Take advantage of the hotel's recycling bins and reduce water and electricity use in your room. You'll also find bins at the Registration area to recycle name badges and conference programs.
• Moderate Consumption and Plant-Based Foods: Take only what you need at food functions, and consider choosing at least one plant-based meal each day to help reduce the carbon footprint associated with food production.
• Be Energy Smart: Remember to turn off lights when you leave your hotel room and participate in the hotel's linen reuse program to conserve water.
• Public Transportation:
• From O'Hare Airport: Take the Blue Line 'L' train to downtown, with easy transfers to other lines if needed.
• From Midway Airport: Take the Orange Line 'L' train directly into the Loop area, where you'll have access to buses and other train lines.
• For additional ways to get around sustainably, please refer to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) website.
• Chicago Airports: The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has implemented numerous airport industry-leading initiatives to improve natural resource conservation, operational efficiency, social responsibility and economic viability at O'Hare and Midway International Airports. The CDA continues to seek creative ways to reduce emissions and energy use, conserve water and natural resources, salvage and recycle materials, reduce waste, and educate passengers and the local community.
• Carbon and Energy Goals: O'Hare is working toward reducing its carbon emissions and energy consumption as part of a city-wide commitment to sustainability, aiming for a carbon-neutral future. Both airports have implemented energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems, and infrastructure upgrades to support this.
• Waste Reduction: O'Hare has established programs to reduce waste and promote recycling, with a focus on reducing passenger-generated waste and achieving a high recycling rate. Waste composting and single-stream recycling programs are available throughout both airports.
• Water Conservation: Both O'Hare and Midway are actively working on water-saving initiatives, including rainwater harvesting, low-flow fixtures, and drought-resistant landscaping to reduce water use over the next decade.
• Ground Operations: To reduce emissions, O'Hare encourages airlines to use single-engine taxiing and has streamlined shuttle bus services for its consolidated car rental facilities, reducing the number of trips and emissions.
• Climate Resilience Investments: The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has allocated funds to bolster climate resilience at both airports, including flood management systems and infrastructure designed to handle extreme weather events.
• Electric Ground Equipment: Many airlines operating at O'Hare, including United and American, are transitioning their ground equipment-such as bag tugs and belt loaders-to electric. The CDA is also investing in charging infrastructure to support this shift toward electric ground operations.
• For more information about sustainability initiatives at Chicago's airports, visit The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA)'s Environment page.