If you’ve ever thought of organizing an event and you’ve seen how much goes into it selecting the right venue in addition to setting up equipment to ensure your guests feel welcome, and, of the course, making it memorable. We often forget that events can create a lot of waste and use up a lot of energy.
It’s time to make a change. The world is awakening to the fact that events do not need to be harmful to the environment. Promoting green events, whether you’re organizing a small offsite team or a large hybrid conference is not only the ideal thing to do but also a smart move.
Why go green with your event?
This is a number that may make you think An average 3-day event with 500 attendees can produce around 2,835 kg of waste, and consume around 300,000 kWh of energy. This isn’t just an incredible amount, but also an opportunity to make improvements.
Today’s attendees care about sustainability. They want to know that their preferred brands and businesses live up to their claims. If you are taking steps towards sustainable event planning, you’re more than only helping the planet, but you’re also making your audience aware that your values transcend the screen or stage.
Simple Waste Management: The Best Way to Reduce Clutter
Let’s start by removing waste. The pile of garbage that is left during events can be the best gold mine. This includes single-use items and food scraps as well as printed materials and brochures no one ever reads. The sustainable management of waste is more simple than you imagine.
Here are some modifications that can go a great distance:
1. Disposables should be replaced with compostable or recyclable alternatives.
2. Instead of printed event program make use of apps or QR codes instead.
3. Donate leftovers If you’re working with caterers, make arrangements to donate leftover food to local charitable organizations.
4. Create recycling stations in order to assist participants to dispose of their things in a responsible manner.
Moving forward is the aim, not perfection. Recycling or reducing the waste produced is a good thing.
Manage your Energy Like a Professional (Without Being One)
It’s not required to be a professional engineer to make smart energy decisions. One of the first steps to make changes is to be aware about the amount of power that events consume. And when we talk about energy management event strategies, it doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or tech it means being mindful of how you use them.
Here are a few ways to lower your energy consumption:
1. Choose locations that have been certified as environmentally sustainable or that use sustainable energy sources.
2. Make use of LED lighting and energy efficient equipment for AV and displays.
3. Host hybrid or virtual elements in order to cut down on the travel and venue requirements.
4. Simple is best Setups that are elegant usually require less power.
The idea is to create an experience that’s just as effective, but requires less resources.
GreenUP Checklist, Your Secret Weapon
The GreenUP Checklist is a great tool to get started. The checklist breaks each step into clear actionable steps.
This checklist is based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals which means that you’re aligned with something greater than just the event itself.
You can make a difference
It’s not about achieving perfection however, it’s about focusing. No matter how many steps you take, you’re helping shift the business toward a better future.
They’ll remember your memorable speakers, fun interactions, as well as the fact that your event was not dated or inefficient. Therefore, go ahead, take charge with conviction and demonstrate to your guests that caring for the planet is part of the experience.