Driving and Ensuring Sustainability for Events

The average event attendee generates over four pounds of waste a day during a typical event. If a 100-person event is held over three days, that would generate 1,200 pounds of waste equivalent to 40 garbage bags or a six-yard commercial dumpster. Add in more people and more days, and the amount of overall waste quickly multiplies.?

As in-person events become prevalent again, all event planners must focus on sustainability. Wherever people gather, no matter what kind of event, there will always be waste generation.

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Attendees want to know how event organizers, and the venue’s administration, address sustainability. Here are some ways event planners can ensure that sustainability is implemented and executed for their next event.

Focus on Clean and Renewable Energy

One ideal way to achieve sustainability at an event is to power them through clean and renewable energy. This, of course, could be a challenge, especially given that organizers will rely heavily on the venue’s energy sources. Yet, the good news is that many venues are already taking steps in this direction.

When sourcing a venue for your next event, find out if they have replaced their lighting with LEDs, cutting down on electricity consumption. Ask if the venues have incorporated solar panels on their roofs or solar glass panels on windows that can help generate electricity. Finally, ask if the venues have implemented sophisticated HVAC systems that can monitor heating and cooling and adjust as needed so that attendees always feel comfortable no matter what the weather is outside. Another option is to ask the venues about their LEED certifications and best practices.

Reduce Carbon Footprint Through Smaller Production and Food Waste

It’s no secret that many events, whether for one day or a week, produce a ton of waste. From unwanted paper to uneaten food, it all adds up and unfortunately often ends up in the landfill. Event planners must reimagine and redesign their events to utilize sustainable materials and strive for zero waste.

This starts with signage, furniture, and other materials that will be used throughout the event. Event construction materials should be chosen with low-impact materials like bamboo, cork, sustainably manufactured laminates or recycled aluminum. From there, drill down and consider how much of that construction and furniture can be recycled or reused after the event, or even at another future event.

Regarding food, take steps to source food from sustainable sources. Minimize emissions associated with food and catering through seasonal, organic, and where appropriate local products, eliminate high-carbon foods, and take a regenerative approach to food production and waste.

Finally, have a plan in place to donate uneaten food to a local charity or other organizations that could distribute it to their community. The same can be down with those beautiful floral centerpieces in the middle of tables; donate them to a local senior center to brighten their days.

Keep Things Moving with Responsible Freight and Travel?

For an event to be successful, everything from attendees to materials must get from point A to point B on time. Yet, that means that event planners rely heavily upon freight, delivery, and transportation companies to do their part in doing their jobs on time and also while focusing on sustainability.?

When it comes to freight, make sure that the company you are working with utilizes or aims to work toward a goal of zero-emission logistics. If that’s not possible, consider working with local vendors in the event’s area to cut down on travel times and delivery costs.?

For attendees, offer incentives for them to cut down on their carbon footprint when traveling. One way is to work with your event’s travel partners to offer an incentive to take an alternative mode of transportation, other than airlines. If they have to fly to the event, perhaps offer them a discount to purchase a carbon offset package that will generate funds to help support projects that reduce carbon emissions and fund local environmental jobs in the area.?

Achieving sustainability is a core goal for many events today. By focusing on energy, food, logistics and travel, event planners can help reduce their event’s overall carbon footprint and take a big step in helping ensure their organization’s overall environmental goals.

Are you seeking fresh ideas to ensure sustainability at your next event? Reach out to me today for a strategy session! www.abcdandcompany.com