The events business is infamous for being environmentally unsustainable, but as more emphasis is put on waste reduction and lowering carbon footprints, the industry is taking heed and adopting green practices. Environmental sustainability is one of those annual event trends that keeps growing. Many people, not only those in the scientific community, have spoken and written extensively in recent years about their growing concern over the negative effects of pollution and climate change. As a result of all of this collaborative activism, hundreds of people have shown their support for environmental protection. The popularity of sustainable event planning has grown to the point where it is now a movement unto itself.
What is a Green Event?
Any event that is planned and carried out with special consideration for environmental, economic, and social issues is considered sustainable. Sustainable events certainly require more planning and thought than traditional events, but there are numerous advantages to doing so. Sustainable events not only benefit the earth as a whole, but they also demonstrate to clients or visitors that your company or organization is passionate about sustainable event management and actively working to make changes. Additionally, attendees of sustainable events frequently feel good about going to a gathering that openly supports their own ideals, which enhances their entire experience.
Venue
Almost every item on your event sustainability checklist will in some way be influenced by the location of your event. But filling up the gaps rather than starting from scratch is also quicker and less expensive. Consider the following while selecting a location for your event:
- Is it situated close to the city’s center with quick access to public transportation?
- Does the location have lodging close by for multi-day events so that extra travel can be avoided?
- Does the location have additional amenities like composting toilets, energy-efficient systems, good waste management practices, and natural lighting?
Waste
Waste reduction can take many different forms. Events have various options to reduce waste, from using recycling and cutting out needless paper products to choosing giveaways that won’t be thrown in the trash right away. A lot of paper is utilized for everything from worksheets and posters to agendas and brochures. You can save money, lessen event trash, and preserve a few hundred trees by avoiding them and choosing digital, environmentally friendly alternatives.
- Post the agenda, venue map, and brochures for your event on your event website and event app rather than printing (and reprinting) them. Future changes will be simpler, as a result, of saving money and reducing waste.
- Put in reusable cup water stations and avoid using straws.
- If you want to cut costs and waste, disposable plates and disposable dinnerware sets are an excellent choice. They are also quite simple to use and clean up.
Food
The food for your event is a great opportunity to implement practical, environmentally responsible adjustments. Leaning toward plant-based meals is a fantastic place to start because the meat and dairy sectors are particularly sensitive in terms of their impact on the environment (and, of course, on animals).
- Pick ingredients that are in season. You can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by designing a meal that uses local, in-season ingredients rather than importing produce from far away. Additionally, seasonal, local food simply tastes better!
- Think plant-based. Vegan or vegetarian diets have a milder effect on Mother Earth and its inhabitants, and vegetable production is less damaging to the environment than raising livestock.
- Pick drinks that have the Sustainability Trophy by Slow Food, which is awarded to wineries that protect the environment.
LED Lighting
Did you know that LED lighting is much more environmentally friendly than conventional fluorescent lighting? It is true that LED bulbs use less power per lumen produced. This lowers carbon dioxide emissions and lowers greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. One LED bulb will roughly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half a ton. Replace conventional lightbulbs with LED lighting and enjoy the cozy glow of sustainability!
Organize Your Event Outside
If at all possible, think about holding your event during the daytime outside. This is much more energy-efficient than an indoor event (consider lighting, heating, and air conditioning, etc.), and it might even end up saving you money over time! Additionally, hosting a sustainable event outside really emphasizes your dedication to eco-friendly event planning.
Partner With the Local Community
You increase your event’s carbon footprint due to shipping when you purchase items from far locations. Additionally, there is more trash due to the additional packaging, and it also costs a lot more money. You have the opportunity to give back to the neighborhood by making use of local services and merchants.
In the near future, minimizing the negative effects will rank highly in the commercial and social sectors all over the world. Your event may benefit both the environment and you and your attendees by making simple, thoughtful changes.
Author: Bella Clarks
