Live events can leave a large carbon footprint. Marketing materials, logistics and energy supply are just some of the things that contribute to an events carbon footprint. This is why it is important for events companies to look at creating sustainable events that have less of a negative effect on our environment. Here are some of our practices and top tips which reduce the carbon footprint of our events.
RECYCLING
This sounds like a simple step, but so many people forget to have a recycling scheme at their events. Equipping the venue with recycling bins is the first step to take. These can be used by event staff disposing of large amounts of waste, or by attendees looking to throw away their cup. If there is any food and drink left over, rather than throwing it in a landfill, you could consider putting it into compost.
To encourage people to recycle, you could create interactive games and competitions based around recycling in the breakout rooms.
MINIMISE WASTE
Minimising waste at events fits in nicely with a recycling scheme. There is a large amount of waste that is produced at events, from food and drink to lanyards and marketing materials.
Any unused marketing materials for the event can be recycled too. Rather than throwing it away, try reusing it at your next event if it is relevant.
Think about your use of paper as well. Most of the paper used at an event will eventually end up in the bin, so consider where you can cut your use of paper. It could be electronic tickets, a digital event agenda, or double-sided copies.
GO LOCAL
Buying local materials and food is a good way of reducing the carbon footprint of an event. Rather than getting supplies from elsewhere, you can reduce the environmental effect of logistics by sourcing supplies from a local company.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Events rely heavily on electricity for a range of things. Lighting, heating, audio, visual – basically everything at an event runs on electricity. As important as electricity is, it does add to an event’s carbon footprint, so think about ways you can use renewable energy.
Some venues are now run off renewable energy. For example, the Barbican Centre in London is now powered completely by renewable energy.
You can even get your attendees to create their own renewable energy. Equip break out zones with ‘energy seesaws’ and ‘energy bikes’ to help drive renewable energy. Attendees can have a bit of competitive fun whilst creating energy to power the event.
SINGLE-USE PLASTICS
Single-use plastics are a very important factor to consider when creating sustainable events. This is so often overlooked but causes a massive amount of avoidable waste that sadly often ends up in landfill. This can be avoided through using cardboard alternatives to straws, cups and other single-use plastics you find at events. These cardboard alternatives can then be recycled after the event.
If you need a helping hand creating sustainable events, UKSV can help. We have planned, organised and executed many sustainable, eco-friendly events. Contact UKSV on info@uksv.co.uk or call +44 (0) 1425 480444.
