You’re planning an event. How can you make sure it’s sustainable and environmentally friendly?

1 Choose a green venue

The first step to plan a sustainable event is to choose a venue that has eco-friendly features and practices. Look for venues that use renewable energy sources, have efficient lighting and heating systems, offer recycling and composting facilities, and have green certifications or awards. You can also consider the location and accessibility of the venue, and choose one that is close to public transport, bike lanes, or carpool options to minimize the travel emissions of your attendees.

2 Minimize waste and materials

The second step to plan a sustainable event is to minimize the waste and materials that you use and generate. You can do this by opting for digital or reusable alternatives to paper, plastic, or disposable items. For example, you can use online registration, e-tickets, and mobile apps instead of printed materials, provide reusable or compostable cups and plates instead of single-use ones, and use decorations and signage that can be reused or recycled. You can also encourage your attendees to bring their own water bottles, bags, and utensils, and provide water refill stations and recycling bins at the venue.

3 Choose sustainable catering

The third step to plan a sustainable event is to choose a catering service that offers sustainable food and beverages. You can do this by looking for caterers that use local, organic, and seasonal ingredients, avoid food waste, and provide vegetarian or vegan options. You can also ask them to use minimal packaging and avoid single-use items such as straws, napkins, and stirrers. You can also consider the type and amount of food and beverages that you offer, and avoid serving bottled water, alcohol, or meat-heavy dishes that have a high environmental impact.

4 Engage your speakers and sponsors

The fourth step to plan a sustainable event is to engage your speakers and sponsors in your green efforts. You can do this by communicating your sustainability goals and expectations to them, and asking them to support your initiatives. For example, you can ask your speakers to use digital or reusable materials for their presentations, avoid giving out promotional items or swag, and travel by low-carbon modes if possible. You can also ask your sponsors to align their products or services with your sustainability theme, and avoid sponsoring items or activities that are wasteful or harmful to the environment.

6 Evaluate and improve

The sixth and final step to plan a sustainable event is to evaluate and improve your performance and outcomes. You can do this by collecting feedback and data from your attendees, speakers, sponsors, and staff, and analyzing the results. You can also use tools and frameworks, such as the ISO 20121 standard or the Event Sustainability Toolkit, to measure and report your sustainability performance and impacts. You can also use the lessons learned and best practices to improve your future events and share your knowledge and experience with others.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?