Environmental friendliness - a trend in recent years not only in people's lifestyles and company activities, but also in the event industry. Therefore, event organizers also strive to implement this approach in their work and reduce the impact of each stage of the event on the environment.
“green” event will help minimize the negative impact on nature and spread the idea that mindful consumption is a manifestation of awareness and responsibility toward the planet.How to organize an eco-friendly event
First of all, it is necessary to define the goals of the event, the number of guests and the desired results. Then it is important to analyze the potential environmental impact of the event, identifying the main areas of preparation where a sustainable approach can be introduced. You don't have to force yourself or compromise the program: start with easily implemented steps. Even cleaning up the venue, if the event was held outdoors, or giving up plastic items can be a contribution to the environment.
Use of eco-friendly resources
When choosing a venue and service providers, give preference to those who support eco-friendly practices. For example, the use of renewable energy sources, biodegradable materials or organic products.
Waste management
Try to create conditions for separate waste collection and its further recycling. For example, find eco-points in your city that accept recyclables. Also, at the event, give preference to reusable or biodegradable materials for catering, venue decoration and props.
Reducing energy consumption
Optimize energy use by choosing energy-efficient equipment and lighting. Where possible, use natural lighting and turn off unnecessary devices to save energy.
Logistics planning
Reduce the number of individual trips to the event through carpooling or public transport. Also, for a small event, you can order a single transfer for participants by choosing an electric car.
Use of modern technologies
Use digital tools for event marketing and participant registration. Avoid creating printed materials and other paper-based information carriers. This will help reduce the use of resources needed to produce such products.
Education and engagement
Invite an expert as a speaker to the event who will give a thematic lecture for participants about sustainable lifestyles. You can also include in the program a community clean-up, participation in various campaigns, an eco-quest, a workshop on upcycling, waste sorting or recycling things.
Ideas for Organizing an Eco-Friendly Event
Projectors Instead of Banners
Abandoning PVC film banners for venue branding will be the first step towards eco-friendliness. These are replaced by projection systems that run on energy-efficient technologies and allow for bright decoration of the venue. Projectors also let you change the style of the space, indicate transitions to the next part of the program, and more. Renting such equipment is unlikely to be more expensive than printing, transporting, and installing banners.
Digitalization Instead of Printing
At each event, guests are given on average more than 1.5 kg of paper: leaflets, brochures, flyers, programs, diagrams, and so on. In most cases, these materials are disposable and end up in the nearest trash bin after the event. A more practical and nature-friendly approach is to develop an app or a social media account for the event. Information will be available in a few clicks, helping participants navigate the venue, learn more about the event, take surveys, make acquaintances, or leave a comment.
Monitors Instead of Signs
Not only projectors but also touch screens or LED displays can help decorate a room or an open venue. They can replace signs, advertisements, and other placards. The advantage of monitors is also that virtual information is easier to manage: it can be quickly changed or updated. Also, screens will help create an interactive zone with entertainment for event participants.
Say No to Plastic
A buffet or coffee break, as a rule, is not complete without plastic utensils. To make the event more eco-friendly, you can choose catering services that use tableware made from recycled or reusable materials: recycled paper, porcelain, glass, sugarcane, and so on. This also applies to venue decoration and the production of souvenirs. For example, the welcome zone can be digital, and stands can be made from wooden and cardboard materials. Instead of handing out badges and pens, invite participants to a common chat via a link or QR code, and offer online certificates or promo codes from partners as gifts. If gifts are unavoidable, let them be made from biodegradable materials: bamboo, cotton fabric, or kraft paper.
Food Sharing
There are online services that offer to calculate the amount of food per participant so that organizers can avoid unnecessary spending on products or catering. You can also ask guests to decide in advance on their menu choices. If some dishes remain after the event, it is more beneficial to give them to those in need rather than just dispose of them. This can be done through food sharing groups or channels on social media.
Fresh Vegetables and Fruits on the Menu
Replace sandwiches and desserts with seasonal produce. This will be not only eco-friendly but also healthy. You can cooperate with farms, bakeries, vegetable depots, and manufacturers: they will be glad to sell products that they cannot sell in time or that are nearing their expiration date. At the same time, do not forget about safety: the organization must have the appropriate license, and the products must be certified.
Potted Plants and Flowers
Avoid decorating the venue with single-use floral arrangements. It is better to create a “green” zone with potted plants — they serve several useful functions at once: they make the location aesthetically pleasing, purify the air, and zone the space.
Alternative Energy Sources
At outdoor events, you can use solar panels for venue lighting systems or device charging stations. Moreover, even participants can generate electricity: through movements on elliptical or exercise bikes in the recreation area. Thus, you can simultaneously generate electricity for the event and promote ideas of an eco-friendly and healthy lifestyle.
Maximum Zero Waste
Following the rejection of plastic and printing comes the minimization of used resources: water, electricity, and fuel. Organize an outdoor event or suggest that participants walk to the venue to reduce exhaust emissions into the atmosphere. An eco-friendly approach can also include refraining from using balloons, confetti, fireworks, plastic bags, and packaging.
Briefing, Gamification, and Education
Environmental education is never superfluous: not everyone knows how to sort waste correctly and that paper cups are not recyclable. In addition to installing sorting containers, as an organizer, you can conduct a briefing on waste separation for cleaning staff, catering services, and other personnel, as well as launch an information campaign for participants.
Since new knowledge is absorbed better in practice, you can add thematic games or quizzes dedicated to ecology to the event program. For credibility, invite authoritative speakers: representatives of environmental organizations, activists, volunteers, employees of eco-centers, or scientists who can share experience, research results, and official statistics. In addition, you can go on a tour of the nearest recycling facility or take part in a city cleanup, cleaning of public areas, tree planting campaign, and workshops on raw material recycling.
Human activity will always cause some harm to nature, but reducing our environmental impact is within our power. Making an event more eco-friendly and boosting participant loyalty is not as difficult as it seems: it is enough to use alternative resources and advanced technologies. This makes the event not only sustainable but also trendy and attractive to the audience. The team of the Aventura event agency shares a responsible approach to the environment, so when organizing events it uses professional and modern methods. We will help you hold any event with high quality and minimize its carbon footprint.
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