Sustainability is very much a buzz word, but it’s something that is important to us at Leverage. Events are inherently wasteful when you consider the materials produced for one time use, the amount of travel by attendees and a number of inefficiencies in design. We believe that face-to-face events aren’t going anywhere, even with technological advances and the speed at which they are coming, the value of human interaction will still reign supreme. If events aren’t going anywhere, we do need to start looking at ways to make these more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Here are the Leverage’s teams easy event implementations to start making a difference:
Ban the single use plastic
Most venues have already done this but if they haven’t insist on using crockery and cutlery for breaks. Same with coffee cups and water glasses. And for heaven’s sake don’t be putting out bottles of water at each place setting (especially mini bottles… why, oh why). Go for hydration stations, make them a feature, make them a sponsorship item. Put glasses out, simples. Talk sponsors out of ugly, impractical water bottles with their logo.
Recycle everything, again and again and again
Using name badge pockets? Collect them back. Giving out lanyards? Get them back. Printing signs on PVC? These can be covered again with Vinyl… In fact PVC panels can be used over and over again if you are careful (think lectern signs, directional signs etc). Giving out printed program books? Have a recycling bin ready to go when you are bumping out and let the staff know all paper/cardboard is to head that way (check what stock you are using as well to make sure it is recycled and can be recycled). Think about what event collateral you use across event and have a standard good quality set made up… just the one! We don’t need specific event branded name badge dividers do we? (the answer is definitely no).
Stop producing
We have been keen to talk through clients collateral lists in detail before we start production. Do we really need an A4 program book with speaker bios and an event app? Probably not? How much directional signage is needed? Do we need every pillar wrapped in the venue? Is a welcome letter overkill, if attendees have been emailed their e-ticket and event details 3 days earlier? There is so much event technology on the market making it easier to cut down on onsite collateral. There are also many ways to make a big impact onsite without cutting down a rainforest.
Go local
Look at your menu and talk to the chef - where is the produce coming from? If you stay local the benefits are endless. Produce will be fresher, you’ll be supporting the local economy, showcasing a region and cutting down on transport and shipping environmental impacts. Just with the menu, choosing local suppliers over interstate will also decrease the event footprint and usual save costs - win win!
Get others involved
We can’t do it all ourselves, so here are some of the other people we call on:
OZ Harvest - Give them a call prior to your event, in coordination with your venue. They will organise a pick up of any left over catering and arrange for it to be packaged and taken to those in need to minimise food wastage.
Reground - Will take your discarded coffee grounds, saving them from ending up in landfill by creating useable compost for agricultural businesses.
GIVIT - Left over notepads pens, sponsor bags and other collateral onsite. This website helps get goods to the people who will use and need them. Stationary is great for school programs.
We know that consistent baby steps are just as effective as a giant leap here and there… start small. This year… eliminate the printed program book and settle for a combined program and name badge insert, next year aim for another improvement and let the ripple event take hold.
Have other ideas of what could minimise your event impact? Let us know in the comments.