How to Make Your Events More Sustainable
Although the world is much more eco-conscious these days, there’s still a lot to do, and global change requires everyone to make an effort. For businesses, it’s crucial to consider sustainability in every aspect of their operations, such as hosting sustainable events.
With so many elements to consider, prioritising sustainability can seem like a tough ask. But it’s entirely possible if you work with the right people and consider vital aspects such as digitalisation, waste and carbon footprint reduction, and energy-efficient technology. In this blog, we’ll explore sustainable events and what factors you need to consider.
Picking the Right Venue
Before you can plan an event, you need a venue. Ideally, choose eco-friendly venues that allow you to implement sustainable practices easily. Also, keep green certifications and environmental accreditations in mind, and choose venues with a good reputation for sustainable practices and positive contributions to environmental causes.
Beyond this, it’s essential to learn about a venue, whether their lighting and technology are energy efficient, and if there’s easy access to public transport. The latter is significant when considering carbon emissions for those travelling to the event. If you’re unsure where to start or what type of venue you need, our team can help!
Reduce Host and Attendee Waste
When it comes to reducing waste, you should start before the event begins. Opt for digital invitations and other resources instead of paper. Use email or social media to invite attendees, RSVP, and distribute event information. This reduces the amount of waste produced and aligns with the digitalisation attendees come to expect from modern events.
To further improve your efforts, choose reusable or compostable tableware and set up recycling stations. Food is another important consideration for sustainable events, specifically food waste reduction. Work with eco-conscious caterers, opt for buffet-style service by estimating your food requirements ahead of time and pick locally sourced menu options.
Don’t forget about drinks! Rather than hundreds of single-use plastic bottles, you can provide water stations where attendees can refill reusable water bottles. You could even include water bottles as merch to encourage this. The same can be said for reusable coffee cups rather than paper cups.
Energy-Efficiency
A key aspect of hosting sustainable events is minimising energy consumption while maximising environmental accountability. Incorporating renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power can significantly reduce an event’s carbon footprint. Also, implementing LED lighting is a simple yet effective solution that conserves energy without losing the quality of light or aesthetics.
Venues with smart technology compatibility for heating, cooling, and lighting systems help optimise energy usage throughout the event. If this is an option, it can prove helpful for optimal energy use while still meeting your requirements. Your event planner can discuss this with you, as they’ll have the experience and expertise to guide you through the best energy-saving practices.
Another big part of sustainable events is cultivating an environment that educates attendees about energy-saving practices, such as using reusable materials and minimising waste. This not only inspires and engages guests but also contributes to a greener future.
Rethink Your Catering Solutions
Sustainable event catering definitely presents a challenge, but it’s also a great opportunity. Embracing local produce and inventive menu options can entice attendees while minimising food waste. Consider sourcing ingredients locally, prioritising in-season produce, and offering varied portions to reduce waste. Incorporating more plant-based options and minimising high-impact foods like beef can further enhance sustainability, but it all depends on your audience.
Investing in durable utensils and tableware, optimising washing practices, and increasing cold/raw menu items all contribute to energy efficiency.
Partner with Eco-Conscious Event Planners
Sustainable events often require more consideration, time, and planning than those that aren’t eco-conscious. Not when the result of your efforts is a successful event that helps you to support global change. Rather than being part of the problem.
Organisations across all sectors work with professional event planners, utilising their skills, connections, and experience to deliver a sustainable event to remember. While researching event companies to partner with, consider sustainability and how they contribute to the environment both through events and every day as an enterprise.
How Do We Build Sustainable Events?
We work with customers at many different stages of their sustainability journey and event planning process. Whether you’re on step one of planning a fully sustainable event or hoping to adjust a few aspects to make your event greener, we can help.
Within our event framework, we’ve created a way for you to implement sustainability into your event while ensuring accountability at every stage of the planning process.
What Else Are We Doing to Help?
Word of the Street is dedicated to helping make the world a better, healthier place. Isla is the sustainability body for the events industry, and we’re a member of it! Partnering with Isla allows our team to undergo sustainability training, from which we created KPIs to drive the entire company to be greener in everything we do. Whether we’re ensuring best environmental practices at sustainable events or spreading the word throughout the industry to inspire others, we champion sustainability.
Sustainable Events with Word on the Street
Prioritise sustainability in your event with the help of Word on the Street. Leaning on a depth of knowledge that allows your event to be green without compromising quality. Get in touch to find out more!