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Most people recognize that global warming exists and understand that something must be done to protect the precious natural resources on this planet and reverse the alarming damage we have done in the last 40 years. If we continue along the path we are currently on, life as we know it will cease to exist. But what can we do to reverse this dangerous trend and help safeguard and preserve the earth for generations to come?
The solution lies in every single one of us. There are steps we can take as individuals and organizations that collectively make a b
ig difference. Call it a grassroots approach. As an event planner, it is my responsibility to plan and produce events that minimize waste and promote sustainability. I am in a unique position to educate people and empower them to take action. Below is an article I wrote for the Business Council on Climate Change (BC3) listing easy tips we can all use to reduce the impact of our event activities on the environment. Whether you are planning a backyard BBQ or an international conference, you can make an impact, one step at a time. By sharing this information, I hope to enable my clients, vendors, participants and even competitors to take a hard look at what they do and choose to make a difference. We only have one chance to get this right so our efforts should start NOW!
Tips for Greening Special Events
In this day and age, it is no longer acceptable to ignore the impact of special events on the environment. From parties, meetings and 
weddings to sporting events, festivals and concerts, there are numerous events generating waste and creating huge impacts on the environment. According to the Green Meeting Industry Council, a typical 5-day conference for 2,500 attendees will use 90,000 cans or bottles, 75,000 cups and 87,500 napkins, most of which ends up in landfill. The 2007 US Green Building Council’s Greenbuild Conference generated 44 tons of waste. That’s just one event! During 2001, the
In recent years, however, there has been a groundswell within the industry to address wasteful practices and promote a better, more sustainable way of doing business. Event planners, producers, suppliers and venues have made strides to develop more sustainable approaches to event production with the goal of reducing environmental impact. By creating and managing a comprehensive program to eliminate event-related waste, the organizers of Greenbuild were able to divert 91% of the waste generated by their event from landfills, a shining example of what can be
done.
As a long time event planner in
Planning
o Put someone in charge of your event’s green program and give them the authority to make changes.
o Set goals and track progress. Calculate your carbon footprint and pledge to reduce it.
o Do your research. There are tremendous eco-related resources out there to help you plan your event.
o Get the word out about your sustainability program and enlist participation early from participants.
Transportation
o Encourage participants to walk, ride a bike, carpool or use public transportation.
o Facilitate roomshares among participants
o Employ low or no emission vehicles as shuttles, event staff vehicles, airport transportation, etc.
Vendor Selection
o Use venues that employ sustainable business practices.
o Enlist vendors and exhibitors to be part of your “Green Team” and hold them to the same standards as your event production team.
Sustainable
o Organic, sustainable food choices
o Locally sourced foods
o Print event materials using natural dyes on recycled/organic materials
o Reduce the amount of printed communications to participants.
o Limit printed collateral to one page.
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Waste reduction
o Recycle leftover event materials
o Limit food waste by limiting serving sizes and compost leftovers.
o Conserve Electricity and Water throughout the event venue.
o Re-use event supplies, such as pencils, pads, table cloths, décor, etc.
o Encourage participants to bring their own water bottles and provide refill stations throughout the venue.
o Encourage participants to bring their own eating utensils and dishes.
o Use compostable serving utensils, dinnerware, napkins, etc. whenever possible.
o Collect and Re-use name tags, IDs and event collateral.
o Work with exhibitors and other participants to limit the amount of printed materials left over after the event.
Advocacy and Documentation
o Educate attendees on what is recyclable, compostable or trash.
o Create measurable goals for waste reduction and promote your waste reduction efforts to whoever will listen.
o Provide an opportunity for participants to submit suggestions for further greening practices.
o Leave behind a legacy that shows your commitment to sustainable event production and provides a guide for future efforts.
If you are planning an event, these tips should help you produce an eco-friendly event. Keep in mind, reducing waste requires everyone’s participation. It is imperative to communicate your efforts to attendees and get them on board early. After the event is over, remember to thank attendees for their efforts and give them the results. In this way, we can start to curb our wasteful use of valuable resources and set a course for more responsible living.
Get Your Head Out Of The Sand And Choose To Make A Difference