As we work together to combat the impact of climate change, our industry needs to work together to find better, more sustainable event practices.
Not only is this critical to reduce emissions, but we need to meet the expectations of today’s attendees, who are far more environmentally aware and demand transparency and action.
Of course, it’s not always easy to make the switch to fully green events, but even just a few minor swaps or changes can have a huge impact.
To help you learn more, we’ve put together this handy guide on quick and easy ways to plan sustainable events.
Rethink your drinks
Plastic waste is particularly harmful to our environment and ecosystems, so finding ways to reduce the amount of plastic used is a great start.
One great option for green events is to consider alternatives to plastic single-use water bottles. In Australia, billions of water bottles are purchased each year, with more than 50% ending up in landfill.
Some event organisers are providing alternative hydration solutions, with glassware and carafes at smaller sessions and bubblers and water bottle refilling stations at larger ones.
Others are encouraging attendees to bring their own bottles, or leveraging the marketing opportunity and providing registrants with a branded reusable water bottle for use at the event and beyond.
If this isn’t workable for you, there are also lots of alternatives on the market you could consider for your sustainable event, such as water in cardboard cartons or glass bottles.
Water might be a popular choice, but it’s certainly not the only one. If you’re selling soft drinks or offering an open bar, try to use glass or other sustainable and reusable containers over plastic cups and packaging wherever you can.
Use less paper
A typical conference attendee produces just under 2 kilograms of rubbish every day. Paper-based collateral, like posters, brochures, pamphlets, programs and more, are a key part of the waste produced at events.
Thankfully, digital technologies are more available and affordable than ever. Making the switch to tech-forward options isn’t just better for the environment, but it can help you—and your exhibitors—save money on printing and courier costs.
A great place to start is at your registration desk. Digital registration options, such as onsite self-check in using kiosks or an event app reduces the need for paper registration lists. They can also help eliminate queues, require fewer staff and provide a smoother arrival process for your event attendees.
When it comes to pamphlets and brochures, a good alternative is to have some physical copies for those who want them while also providing a QR code to a digital or PDF version, which attendees can scan to download.
Sustainable event technology is always evolving, so it can be helpful to stay up-to-date about new innovations.
For example, evexus’ digital posters have helped lots of conference organisers reduce waste and run green events, all while giving attendees a more dynamic and interactive experience that boosts conversations and knowledge exchange.
Make eco-friendly swaps
Many manufacturers have jumped on the trend of green events, creating products that meet the demand for environmentally friendly single-use products.
Of course, catering is one of the biggest waste generators at events. On average, each attendee generates one litre of rubbish for every meal, meaning even small-scale events can have a massive waste output.
Where you can’t have reusable cutlery and crockery, consider eco-friendly alternatives, such as knives, forks and plates made from bamboo or cardboard. You can also find green alternatives for other common items, including napkins, decorations, coffee stirrers and straws.
If you want to offer condiments, consider having them at a station rather than providing single-use sachets.
Another consideration is coffee cups. While coffee cups appear to be paper, many are actually lined with plastic, meaning they can’t be recycled and end up in landfill. Australians use around 1.8 billion single-use coffee cups per year.
Thankfully, there are now some cool alternatives on the market, including ones made from compostable materials. Some companies, like Good Edi, have even innovated edible coffee cups made from oats and grains and even offer wholesale prices for event organisers.
Think end-to-end
Your event’s impact starts long before you open the doors and long after you turn off the lights. So, when it comes to finding ways to run more sustainable events, it’s critical to consider the bigger picture.
A simple first step is ensuring you choose the right venue. Try to find a venue that makes use of renewables or that has implemented energy efficient equipment. For outdoor events, you should find somewhere that uses fuel-efficient generators.
It’s also helpful to think about how your attendees will get to you. If you can, it’s a good idea to choose a location that can be easily accessed by public transportation. If attendees will be flying in, you can recommend they choose an airline that implements sustainable practices, such as one that offers the option to fly carbon neutral.
Additionally, you could try to work with suppliers who have green practices in-built. This might look like working with a catering company who focus on using locally sourced or fair-trade food, or employing an equipment hire company that is fully carbon-neutral.
Some event managers even work with local food banks and charities to donate any leftover catering, thereby reducing their green event’s food waste.
Go hybrid
While it’s not feasible for the event industry to go fully online, hybrid events have enjoyed enduring success since they rose to prominence during the pandemic.
When it comes to sustainability, hybrid events mean that you can expand your reach across the country and even the world without requiring attendees to fly or drive to you.
Innovations in cameras and technology have also made hybrid events more affordable and accessible to event managers at large, allowing them to broadcast everything from intimate round-table sessions to keynote addresses to a global audience with ease.
For example, evexus’ easy-to-use event management software allows you to live stream your event directly onto our platform. What’s more, we offer optional production packages, where our live team will work to deliver a seamless, professional broadcast experience.
Learn more
Interested in finding out how evexus can help you streamline your processes, reduce your footprint and accelerate your sustainable event success? Find out more on our website or get in touch with our friendly team to book a demo today.
