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.

How to organize an environmental event

First, it is necessary to determine 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 implemented. It is not necessary to act by force or at the expense of the program; start with easily achievable steps. Even cleaning up the location if the event was held outdoors or refraining from using plastic items can contribute to environmental protection.

Use of environmentally friendly resources

When choosing a venue and service providers, give preference to those who support environmentally 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 further recycling. For example, find eco-points in your city that accept recyclables. Also, give preference to reusable or biodegradable materials for catering, venue decoration, and props at the event.

Energy consumption reduction

Optimize energy usage by choosing energy-efficient equipment and lighting. Whenever possible, use natural lighting and turn off unnecessary devices to save energy.

Logistics planning

Reduce the number of individual trips to the event by carpooling or using public transport. For a small event, you can also arrange a single transfer for participants by choosing an electric car.

Application of modern technologies

Use digital tools for marketing the event and registering participants. Avoid creating printed materials and other paper-based information carriers. This will help reduce the resources needed to produce such items.

Education and involvement

Invite an expert speaker to the event who will conduct a thematic lecture for participants on sustainable living. The program can also include a cleanup day, participation in various eco-friendly activities, an eco-quest, upcycling workshops, waste sorting, or item recycling.

Ideas for organizing an environmental event

Projectors instead of banners

Abandon PVC banner constructions for branding the venue as the first step towards ecological responsibility. These items can be replaced with projection systems that operate using energy-efficient technologies and allow for vibrant venue decoration. Projectors can also change the venue's aesthetics, display transitions to different parts of the program, and more. Renting such equipment is unlikely to be more expensive than printing, transporting, and installing banners.

Digitization instead of printing

On average, guests at each event receive over 1.5 kg of paper: leaflets, brochures, flyers, programs, maps, and so on. In most cases, these materials are disposable and end up in the nearest trash bin after the event. Developing an application or creating an event account on social networks is more practical and beneficial for the environment. Information will be available in just a few clicks, helping participants navigate the venue, learn more about the event, take surveys, make connections, or leave comments.

Monitors instead of signs

To decorate indoor or outdoor spaces, consider using not only projectors but also touch screens or LED displays. These can replace signs, advertisements, and other plaques. Monitors also have the advantage of easier management of virtual information: it can be quickly changed or updated. Additionally, screens can help create an interactive area with entertainment for event participants.

Plastic reduction

Buffet or coffee break, as a rule, do not do 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 the decoration of the venue and the production of souvenir products. For example, the welcome zone can be made digital, and stands can be created from wooden and cardboard materials. Instead of handing out badges and pens, invite participants to join a group chat via a link or QR code, and offer online certificates or promo codes from partners as gifts. If gifts are necessary, 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 expenses on products or catering orders. You can also ask guests to pre-select menu items. If there is leftover food after the event, it would be more beneficial to donate it to those in need rather than simply disposing of it. 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 not only be environmentally friendly but also beneficial for health. You can collaborate with farms, bakeries, vegetable bases, and producers: they will be happy to sell products that are not sold in time or close to expiration date. However, safety should not be forgotten: the organization must have the appropriate license, and the products must be certified.

Potted plants and flowers

Refrain from decorating the venue with floral arrangements that are used only once. It's better to create a "green" area with potted plants - they serve several useful functions at once: make the location aesthetic, purify the air, and zone the space.

Alternative energy sources

Solar panels can be used for outdoor events to power lighting systems or device charging stations. Moreover, even participants can generate electricity through movements on elliptical trainers or stationary bikes in the rest area. This way you can simultaneously obtain electricity for the event and promote ideas of an eco-friendly and healthy lifestyle.

Maximum Zero Waste

In addition to refusing plastic and printed materials, it is important to minimize the use of resources: water, electricity, and fuel. Organize the event outdoors or encourage participants to walk to reduce emissions into the atmosphere. An eco-friendly approach should also include abstaining from using balloons, confetti, fireworks, polyethylene bags, and packaging.

Training, gamification, and education

Environmental education is never superfluous: not everyone knows how to properly sort waste and that paper cups are not recyclable. In addition to setting up sorting containers as an organizer you can provide waste separation training for cleaning staff, catering services personnel and other staff members as well as launch an information campaign for participants.

Since new knowledge is better absorbed in practice, the event program can include thematic games or quizzes dedicated to ecology. To ensure credibility, invite authoritative speakers: representatives of environmental organizations, activists, volunteers, employees of eco-centers, or scientists who can share their experience, research results, and official statistics. In addition, you can go on a tour of the nearest processing plant or take part in a city clean-up, cleaning public areas, tree planting campaigns, and workshops on raw material processing.

Human activities will inevitably impact the environment, but reducing this impact is within our control. Enhancing the event's eco-friendliness and participant loyalty is not as challenging as it seems; using alternative resources and advanced technologies is often sufficient. This not only makes the event sustainable but also trendy and appealing to the audience. event agency "Adventure shares a responsible approach to ecology, so when organizing events, it uses professional and modern methods. We will help to conduct any event with high quality and minimize its carbon footprint.