10 Top Tips for Making Your Event More Sustainable

10 Top Tips for Making Your Event More Sustainable

What is a Sustainable Event?

A sustainable event is one that encompasses an awareness of the impact that humans have on the environment. Sustainable events aim to combat these negative impacts and run successfully with very little damage to the environment. 

These sustainable events opt to practise eco-friendly procedures to ensure the event adheres to its aim of keeping the environment safe. These practices include a focus on recycling all materials and resources used to host the event and saving the amount of water consumed to make the event a success. 

By doing so, those conscious actions taken by the event hosts should also encourage positive and economic impacts within the local community. Hopefully, this should then pave the way for others to follow this example. 

Tips For Increasing the Sustainability of Your Event

Here are 10 tips to consider for your next event.

1. Determine the Environmental Impact of Your Event

The first step to creating a more sustainable event, is to create an overview of what the event is going to look like and pinpoint which areas are most likely to be the least eco-friendly. 

Identifying these areas is the first step to becoming more environmentally friendly, therefore making changes to other areas much easier.

2. Choose an Eco-Friendly Venue and Suppliers

An incredibly easy way to improve your impact on the environment is to host your event in an eco-friendly venue or opt for eco-friendly suppliers. 

Make it your mission to explore a venue’s in-house recycling policy (if they have one) and whether or not they are making a conscious effort to reduce their carbon footprint. Enquire about whether they have the flexibility to incorporate your own personal sustainability goals if you were to choose them to host your event. 

It’s also not a bad idea to note whether or not they have additional features, such as smart temperature controls installed in the building, to improve their carbon footprint further. 

3. Go Plastic-Free

Think about the materials you will need to make it a success and how these can be improved to make the event more sustainable.

For example, plastic cups are often a crowd favourite when it comes to parties; they're cheap, easy to replace and do the job, but they are not eco-friendly at all. Instead, consider using reusable glasses, metal or wooden cutlery and reusable plates to limit the amount of waste generated. 

Also, consider going helium balloon-free, especially those made of mylar, as these greatly damage the Earth. 

4. Go Paper-Free

Much like going plastic-free, you should consider doing the same with paper. Incorporate a system that uses digital tickets, encouraging fewer guests to print them out. This not only saves on the amount of paper waste but the amount of ink used and energy wasted printing them.  

5. Serve Organic, Locally Sourced Produce

You should also consider buying food and drink from local sellers, such as a local corporate catering company, to improve your social and economic impact further.

By buying from local businesses, there is a lesser need for transportation of the products across long distances; therefore making a reduction in emissions, contributing to the planet’s atmosphere.

6. Encourage Eco-Friendly Transportation

Take great consideration in choosing the location of your event’s venue. You should aim to choose one central to the guests that will be attending.

An ideal location is one within walking distance of a train station. This encourages guests to arrive by train rather than travelling by car or less advantageous modes of transport.

7. Use Projectors Over Print

Limit the need for printing by using projectors to display decorations for the party. Also, avoid providing guests with a physical, printed handout and encourage the use of an online sharing service to access any leaflets or posters. 

8. Opt for LED Lighting Options

When investigating the venue for your event, it’s also worth making a note of their lighting fixtures and whether or not they use LED lighting. 

LED lighting options are significantly more environmentally friendly than fluorescent lighting. There is less power needed to generate the light emitted, which subsequently saves energy and reduces carbon emissions. 

9. Go Outdoors

It’s worth considering, weather permitting, taking your event outside and taking advantage of the natural resources available. This includes light and a reduced requirement for air conditioning or heating facilities. 

Not only does this help to save the amount of energy used, but the amount of money spent at the venue on bills. 

10. Reduce Water Usage

You should also aim to reduce water usage by encouraging guests to bring their own refillable water bottles and ask for refills only when required. 

Sustainable Corporate Catering Service From Green Bike Food Co.

If you are thinking about hosting a sustainable event and are in need of professional catering services, look no further than Green Bike Food Co. We are highly experienced in delivering quality catering services across the Thames Valley in our fleet of electric vehicles.