You’re aware that planning events is a ton of work. It involves finding the ideal venue as well as setting up your technology and making your guests feel at home and making the event memorable. Most of us don’t realize that events cause an abundance of waste and consume a huge amount of energy.

It’s about time for a shift. The public is increasingly recognizing that events don’t need to have an enormous environmental impact. Whether you’re organizing a small team offsite or a major hybrid conference, promoting sustainable events isn’t just the responsible thing to do it’s the smart thing to do.

Why Green Your Event?

You might be amazed at this amount The typical three-day event with 500 participants will generate about 2,835kg of waste and consume almost 300000 kWh of electricity. That’s not just a big number but also an enormous opportunity to improve.

Sustainability is a top concern for today’s customers. They would like to see their favorite companies and brands walk the ethical code. When you plan a sustainable event it will not only benefit the planet but also show your attendees that you hold an agenda that goes beyond the screen or the stage.

Simple Waste Management: The Best Way to Reduce Clutter

Let’s start by addressing waste. Events can be goldmines of unnecessary clutter single-use plastics leftover food items and printed brochures that no one has time to read, and so on. With a bit of planning the sustainable management of waste is simpler than you think.

Here are a few small modifications that can go a far:

1. Switch to reusable or compostable alternatives for plastic cups as well as other kitchen utensils.

2. Instead of printed event programs, use apps or QR codes.

3. Donate leftovers If you’re working with caterers, make arrangements to donate leftover food items to local charities.

4. Establish recycling stations in order to assist users to dispose of their items in a responsible and sustainable manner.

It’s not the perfection that counts it’s improvement. Recycling or reducing garbage is a good step.

How to manage energy like a pro (Without becoming one)

There is no need to be an engineer to make the right energy choices. One of the first steps to make changes is simply being aware about the amount of power that events use. When we talk about strategies to manage energy for events, it doesn’t mean you have to compromise comfort or technology. It’s just that you must be aware of how these strategies are utilized.

Here are some easy ways to lower your energy use:

1. Be sure to look for those venues that are certified sustainable or use renewable energy.

2. Use energy-efficient equipment and LED lighting for displays and AV.

3. You can hold virtual or hybrid events to cut down on travel and venue costs.

4. Make things simple Simple setups generally require less power.

Create an experience that has the same effect, but with less resources.

GreenUP Checklist, Your Secret Weapon

The GreenUP Checklist is a great tool to to get started. It breaks down the steps to a more sustainable event into easy-to-follow steps whether that’s working in conjunction with vendors on eco-friendly materials or just encouraging guests to take public transportation.

This checklist is based around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and ensures that you’re in line with something more than just the event itself.

It is possible to make a difference

At the end of the day, promoting sustainable events isn’t about becoming perfect it’s about being intentional. No matter if you only take one step or 10 steps, you’re helping to shift the event industry toward something more sustainable.

They’ll remember your memorable speakers, engaging interactions and also the fact that the event was not outdated or inefficient. Your audience will see that caring for the environment is an integral part of your event by leading by example.