Events, trade shows, conferences, and awards ceremonies have become the key for businesses to boost marketing and establish deeper connections with audiences. We’re delighted to welcome back in-person events this year and encourage our partners and organisers to keep climate change in the front of their minds as they organise these important gatherings. DCU event and conference venue in Dublin are committed to lowering our carbon footprint and hope that our event planning partners follow suit. Here are our top 10 tips to hold a sustainable event.
Choose an eco-friendly venue
First things first, choose a venue that is as passionate as you about reducing your event’s carbon footprint. Chances are, they will already have green initiatives in place for you to take advantage of saving you time and effort. Discuss your needs with your event planner and work together to host the greenest event possible.
Plastic-free
Plastic: It’s clogging up our landfills and our oceans as we speak. Commit to using non-disposable crockery and cutlery at your event. Eliminate plastic waste completely by offering compostable and biodegradable alternatives. Eliminate the use of plastic cups and encourage guests to bring keep cups or reusable water bottles.
Reduce waste
This one seems obvious, but many event planners are not aware of the many ways their events contribute to waste. It’s not just about eliminating single-use plastics and non-recyclable products it’s about creating a circular economy. Reuse signage, wristbands, nametags, and other essentials. Recycle anything that can be recycled from promotional material to swag bags. Take advantage of on-site composting or bring your own compost bins.
Talk to vendors
Communicate with your vendors, letting them know your plan for an eco-friendly event. Encourage as little packaging or plastic waste as possible and order absolutely nothing that is single-use. Encourage your vendors to offer this service to other customers and spread the word.
Ban balloons as event decor
Depending on the type of event you’re hosting, you may feel the need to decorate with helium balloons. Latex balloons can take anywhere between six months to four years to biodegrade. In the time it takes for them to decompose, no matter how carefully you dispose of them they often end up in ecosystems being mistaken for foliage and food to wildlife. Avoid balloons wherever possible.
Go for greener food & beverages
Supporting local farmers and producers isn’t just good business practice, it lessons your events carbon footprint by reducing transportation. Using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients is better all-round as it decreases the amount of artificial heating and cooling to grow ingredients out of season. Choose organic produce where you can as it has been grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
Reduce food waste
Work out and order the right amount of food for your event with the help of your venue to reduce food waste. Chances are they have experience with catering and can work out how much food you need with very little leftover. Obtain guests’ special dietary requirements in advance to prevent food waste. You can also choose to donate surplus food to charity and food banks. Offer organic, vegetarian, and vegan options to reduce CO2 emissions derived from meat.
Avoid printed materials
While it’s nice for people to have a take-home from an event, this year consider making it digital. Instead of traditional marketing, menus, brochures, and catalogues give attendees the option to download digitally. This saves money for event planners and reduces waste. If you think you need something physical to hand out, try a business card instead of a laminated flyer. Every little helps.
Commute options
Planes, trains, and automobiles all produce emissions that harm our planet. Encourage guests to carpool instead of driving to reduce carbon footprints and costs. Make sure your event venue is well serviced by public transportation, so your guests don’t need to drive their own vehicles. If you have a lot of people travelling from one place, consider hiring a single bus or helping to arrange one.
Communicate your eco message
Be the change you want to see in the world and let everyone know about it. Communicate your eco-friendly, sustainable message to attendees of your event and encourage them to follow suit. Encourage conversations with venues and share your wisdom with other event planners in Ireland and beyond.
If you’re planning a sustainable event in Dublin, DCU event and conference venue is a perfect choice. We work with organisers to create innovative, engaging, and successful vents across a wide range of topics. Contact us today to learn more.
