Credit: Eventscase
The sustainability issue is not exclusive to the events sector. How will the perfect event appear in 2023 and in the years to follow as technology transforms various procedures across the event administration lifecycle and as demand mounts on event planners to “go green”?
The environment can be significantly impacted by both large-scale events and numerous little ones. Companies have a duty to minimise their negative effects on the environment, society, and the economy.
Learn how to plan an event that is sustainable by implementing simple, doable modifications.
A Sustainable Event is what?
One must first understand what a sustainable event is in order to plan ahead.
A sustainable event takes the environment into account and attempts to mitigate any unfavourable effects that may otherwise be noticed. The carbon footprint of sustainable events is reduced by including eco-friendly practises like recycling and water conservation.
Event planners have the option to take part in carbon-credit programmes. This enables businesses to fund environmental initiatives to balance off the carbon emissions, creating a carbon-neutral event.
As is the essence of long-term viability sustainable events need to benefit the neighbourhood where they are hosted in both a social and economic sense.
Here is a list of the top 5 sustainable event-planning strategies
1. Analyse the Effects Your Event(s) Will Have on the Environment
You must first think about the impact your event would have before you can make it more sustainable. Consider which components of your event are the least environmentally friendly.
- Will getting there be a problem?
- Will you have to use a lot of paper or plastic?
- Will a meal be provided?
Once these areas have been pinpointed, you are aware of where to put your attention in order to increase sustainability as a whole.
Your event’s environmental impact should be taken into account from the beginning, not merely as an afterthought. Making your event more environmentally friendly is beneficial for the environment and demonstrates your organization’s dedication to turning green.
2. Select Eco-Friendly Vendors and Locations
One of the most crucial decisions you will make while organising an event is the venue. Choose a site that represents your sustainability aims if you’d like to make the occasion more sustainable.
Try to select a location that:
- Has convenient recycling facilities or a sound internal recycling programme
- Uses water-saving fixtures and appliances, and there is a water conservation programme in effect
- Has an intelligent energy policy that aims to reduce waste there
- Where clever temperature controls are used
- Promotes the use of less plastic
- Possesses the adaptability to include your environmental objectives in your event
The MITEC and Four seasons in KL has this stance.
If you are organising an event, it is likely that you will need to purchase a variety of supplies, including food, beverages, and decorations. Look into your suppliers, and aim to purchase from those who take the most ecologically friendly business practises. To cut down on transportation emissions, you can also aim to shop from regional vendors.
3. Get Rid of Plastic
We are all aware of the harm that plastic may do presently. In addition to producing hazardous pollutants, it uses non-renewable resources and, if improperly recycled, may end up in our seas.
Try holding an event without any plastic at all. Use reusable glasses in place of plastic cups, and for meals, use reusable plates and cutlery made of metal or wood utilise only independent suppliers for your event who agree to utilise packaging alternatives other than plastic.
Additionally, consider your decorations. Mylar-covered helium balloons should be avoided. They may travel great distances and are not biodegradable, ending up in our seas.
4. Go Paperless
While paper is frequently substituted for plastic, why not get rid of both?
Although paper is more beneficial to the environment than plastic, it still requires the destruction of trees. If you need paper for your event, place paper recycling containers strategically throughout the space.
Rather to printing paper handouts, utilise digital tickets to reduce the environmental impact of your event. Instead, you may develop a mobile app or microsite that visitors to your event can use to read information. These are also an ideal pre-event marketing tool!
Also, it’s not unusual to have a lot of extra and used badges left behind after a company function. Even though some trash from occasions like these may be inevitable, waste from name tags and conference badges may be readily decreased.
Depending on the kind of conference badge you picked for your attendees, there are a variety of methods for recycling them. The most options for straightforward reuse and recycling are provided by choosing a plastic wallet with a paper or paper badge insert.
Consider putting some recycling containers or boxes near the exit so participants may throw their paper inserts right into the recycling if the conference cards have been printed with participant names, other identification, or dates. If your badge inserts don’t contain any printed identification, they may just be put away and used again at other occasions.
5. Serve Locally Sourced Organic Produce
Most events will have refreshments available. Your event may be made more sustainable by serving locally grown, organic food that also tastes wonderful. For a number of years, Make Venues has concentrated on supplying product that is obtained locally, and the quality speaks for itself.
By avoiding the need for product to be transported across great distances, purchasing locally helps you have a good social and economic impact on the neighbourhood. It also helps decrease emissions.
Serving a vegetarian or vegan food is another option you may consider. Malaysia always offers vegetarian and vegan alternatives, and since they’re so delectable, they frequently take the spotlight during buffets. The more environmentally friendly choice is to eliminate meat from your gathering.
Refrain from throwing away any leftover food. Give them to a nearby food shelter as an alternative.
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