Sustainability Isn’t Just a Buzz Word . .
. . it’s a necessity. As corporate events have the potential to generate significant waste and carbon emissions, integrating sustainable practices is crucial. This guide provides strategies to ensure your corporate events are eco-friendly, without compromising on quality or attendee experience.
The Importance of Sustainability in Corporate Events
Sustainable events not only benefit the environment but also enhance your corporate image. Companies demonstrating a commitment to eco-friendly practices often enjoy improved public perception and customer loyalty. Moreover, sustainable events can result in cost savings, particularly in the long term, by reducing resource consumption and waste management expenses .
Choosing a Green Venue
Selecting a venue with strong sustainability credentials is the first step. Look for venues that have LEED certification or are Green Key certified, which ensures they meet high environmental standards. Features such as natural lighting, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable materials significantly reduce the environmental footprint of your event .
Digital Solutions Over Paper
Going digital can drastically cut down on waste. Use e-tickets, online surveys, and event apps instead of printed materials. If printing is unavoidable, opt for recycled or compostable paper. Digital solutions not only reduce waste but also enhance attendee convenience and engagement .
Sustainable Catering Options
Food and beverage services are major contributors to event waste. Prioritise locally sourced, organic, and seasonal ingredients to minimise transportation emissions and support local farmers. Offering a diverse range of vegan and vegetarian options can significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with meat production. Additionally, use compostable or reusable cutlery and dishware to eliminate single-use plastics .
Eco-Friendly Transportation
Transportation often accounts for a significant portion of an event’s carbon footprint. Encourage the use of public transport, rideshares, and carpooling by providing attendees with detailed information and incentives such as discount codes. For local events, promote walking and cycling. Where possible, arrange group transportation like shuttles to reduce individual car usage .
Waste Management Strategies
Implement a robust waste management plan that includes recycling, composting, and reducing waste at the source. Clearly labelled bins for different types of waste can help attendees dispose of items correctly. Partner with local waste management services to ensure efficient handling and processing of recyclables and compostables .
Eco-Conscious Decor
Decor can often be wasteful, but there are sustainable alternatives. Use decorations made from recycled or upcycled materials, and consider incorporating living plants, which can be reused or donated after the event. Renting decor items instead of purchasing them can also reduce waste .
Carbon Offsetting
Even with the best efforts, some carbon emissions are unavoidable. Investing in carbon offset projects, such as tree planting or renewable energy initiatives, can help neutralise the environmental impact of your event. This not only benefits the planet but also sends a positive message to your attendees about your commitment to sustainability .
Educating Attendees
Sustainable events provide an excellent platform to educate attendees about environmental responsibility. Include informational displays about the sustainable practices you’ve implemented and encourage attendees to adopt similar habits in their own lives. This can create a ripple effect, spreading sustainability beyond the event itself .
Continuous Improvement
Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. After each event, gather feedback from attendees and assess the effectiveness of your sustainability initiatives. Use this information to make improvements for future events. Even small changes can make a significant difference over time
Planning sustainable corporate events requires thoughtful consideration and a commitment to eco-friendly practices. By choosing green venues, utilising digital solutions, offering sustainable catering, promoting eco-friendly transportation, managing waste effectively, and offsetting carbon emissions, you can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your events. Educating attendees and continuously improving your strategies will further enhance your efforts, making sustainability an integral part of your corporate identity.
ICE Hub
We’d like to thank Anita and Ken for the privilege of supporting them with their Ice Awards for the third time.
We produced a few video animations and presenters support graphics. We also designed the stage set in line with the budget, the venue parameters and of course with sustainability at the heart of the concept. We ran the awards show with the venue technicians and made sure all of the awards winners were made to feel special.
On the stage set, the Ice logo was made from cardboard suspended from the ceiling, which seemed to float in mid-air while casting its shadow on the white backdrop.
The lectern was made from cardboard boxes that were used during the days workshop activities. These elements were all used as a photo back drop later in the evening and re-purposed or recycled at the end of the event.
Low voltage LED lighting created a fabulous atmosphere and the on screen table displays showcased sponsors logos and information.
Of course all of that is useable for other events.
You can see the ICE Steps to sustainable guide by clicking here.
