A Book on Sustainable Event Planning
There’s nothing wrong with a having a party! But if you run an office do (or events planning business), here are some simple affordable swaps, to make your event greener and safer for all concerned.
How We Gather Matters is packed with stories and case studies from major festivals around the world, this is required reading for anyone in the events industry. Leor Rotchild is a pioneer in the sustainable events industry.
Read up on food safety for people & pets. If animals are nearby, learn of pet-friendly flowers and read up on pet safety at Christmas. Never face indoor foliage to gardens, to stop birds flying into windows.
Pick a Venue with Green Values
If booking an outside venue, choose one with strong eco credentials including recycling systems, and energy-saving lights and solar panels.
Send Paperless Invites and Materials
Rather than waste trees, send out invites digitally to save on paper and postage. Avoid sending plantable invites to homes with pets, as many wildflowers are not safe near animal friends.
Include info on the invite about how the event is sustainable, and ask people to use the recycling facilities, when they arrive.
Plan for a Zero Waste Event
- Use reusable name badges. Ask guests to hand them back at the end.
- Offer tap refill water stations with glasses or refillable bottles instead of giving out single-use plastic bottles. If you’re ordering catering, ask for pitchers and crockery, not plastic kits.
- Skip goodie bags unless they offer something useful and plastic-free. If you include gifts, keep them practical (like reusable water bottles), rather than promotional pens or mugs.
Opt for Plant-Based and Organic Menus
Offer plant-based menus that use local organic and seasonal food, for a lighter impact on the planet. This also helps to support local farmers, which surely is what good business is all about?
Also serve up filtered tap water and artisan vegan sodas, beers and wines, again to support local business. Include plenty of gluten-free and nut-free options, to cover common allergies.
The Goodness Project offers corporate hampers including vegan wines, beers and chocolates, in sustainable packaging. You can also include personal messages, for each recipient.
The range includes Booja Booja luxury artisan vegan chocolate boxes, sold in many flavours like Hazelnut Crunch, Midnight Espresso, almond salted caramel, cherry cognac, cherry Bakewell and Yuletide spice.
Avoid Balloons, Fireworks, and Loud Noises
Many corporate events still are not aware of the harm that balloon releases do (they take six months to biodegrade, and meanwhile explode and fall to mostly to the sea, where they are eaten by endangered sea turtles, who think they are their favourite food of jellyfish).
If balloons land on the ground, they can cause belly ulcers in cattle, or choke wild horses (including balloon string).
Read our post on fun balloon alternatives, like recycled paper garlands. Also read up on reasons to avoid releasing fire lanterns (again they harm wild creatures and can cause fires).
Fireworks again may seem ‘fun’, but they are not fun for birds, pets and wildlife, all of whom are terrified of these polluting items that cause acid rain and again are fire hazards. If you do use them, tell everyone beforehand, and choose ‘quiet fireworks’ that are less harmful.
Also be considerate of local people and wildlife, by avoiding loud music to all hours. Keep the noise to a sensible level, and turn it off past a reasonable hour.
