How to Keep Every Phase of the Event Sustainable

There's the Before, the During and the Post...how do we make it green?

When it comes to your event, you need a game plan from start to finish (but you event planners out there already knew that). But in that game plan, you need to find a way to incorporate eco-friendly practices in every step. Here's exactly how:

Uh Oh...The Pre-Show!

When planning the event, there's a ton of things that you can consider and incorporate into the event that will really make it over the top, but still sustainable. During the planning, pre-event stage, where the most time is spent, here's what you can do:

🍃Figure out the best time and place

-Have the event somewhere that is LEED certified

-Make it so that the event is earlier than intended, so natural light can be used rather than light bulbs and fixtures

-Make sure that the event is accessible to everyone and anyone attending, so less emissions are blown into the air

🍃Utilize digital tools

-If possible, try to have meetings over video chat services like Skype or Cisco Webex

-Invest more time and/or money into digital advertising or print it on recycled paper

-Send out e-vites instead of physical, paper invitations

🍃Food, Food, Food!

-Always go for sustainable, local food choices, to minimize CO2 emissions from travel

-Go for foods that are in season because they're guaranteed fresh and not mass produced

-Support local farms!

During the Big Day

Even though you're definitely going to be busy running around making sure that the event is going smoothly, if you want to run a successful sustainable and eco-friendly event, you MUST keep these in mind:

🍃Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

-Ensure that trash and recycling bins are accessible anywhere guests are going to be and compost bins are in the kitchen

-Make sure that guests know where to find the trash and recycling bins are

🍃...Lights!

-Turn off lights when they are not in use

-Invest in solar panels for the event, so any energy that may be needed will be through the energy conserved from them

Aww...it's all over?

And lastly, post-event may just be the most crucial part of the event process because this is where the major cleanup is. Here's what to do:

🍃Cleanup, cleanup, everybody do your share!

-Make sure all trash goes in their respective bins

-Donate whatever food you can to local food banks or throw them into compost bins to sell to local farms

-Donate leftover flowers to local business that may need them

🍃Going cyber...again!

-Send out online surveys to guests, staff and other people involved to get their opinions on the event, rather than send them paper ones

You got it?

This is only but an abridged checklist to a great green event! Check out my other articles and the sources I used to make this one. Have fun, be green and good luck!

Sources

“Green Events Guide.” UW Sustainability, green.uw.edu/green-events-guide.

"Green Event Planning Guide: Keeping It Green When You Plan Special Events." americarecyclesday.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Green-Events-Planning-Guide-20111.pdf.