As of 2019, eight states have banned single-use plastic bags. In India, they have banned single-use plastic products altogether. By the end of 2020, China plans to ban all non-biodegradable bags, a huge step towards a more sustainable production industry.
As an live and virtual agency growing in the heart of Denver, we know MDN Productions has a responsibility to orient itself towards sustainability as well. We have done some research and have learned a lot on how to host the most sustainable event. This blog post will offer five tricks on sustainability and how to produce an Eco-friendly event.
Go Green with your Venue
This includes the capacity of the venue to maintain a green event. You can contact your cities Visitor Bureau to receive guidance on venues oriented around sustainability.
You can also reduce your carbon footprint by choosing a venue closer to your guests to reduce the amount of transportation. Is it walkable? Can you coordinate through public transit? Ask yourself these things when choosing your venue.
Ditch Single-Use Plastic
This seems simple, and it is. Instead of plastic-ware, use glassware. Rent reusable decorations. Use digital over printed graphics. And if there are items that will get thrown away, work to ensure they are recyclable or compostable. Organizations such as RAFT, a non-profit located in Denver works closely with the Colorado Convention Center to repurpose items that would typically end up in the trash and turns them into innovative, creative tools to foster learning in the classroom.
Reduce Paper Waste
Send out your invitation in an email! This makes it easier for people to RSVP and pick a meal if that is part of the event. Use an event registration site to share and collect additional information for your event.
While paper invitations do serve a specific purpose, they are not the best way to gather your attendee’s response. And the production and paper is far less sustainable than an email.
Change How You Do Food
Most events are faced with too much food, versus too little. This is ideal during the event, but food waste is a huge issue around the world. Give your guests a (compostable) to-go box so they can take some treats home that would otherwise go to waste. Another fun way to reduce your carbon footprint is to source local, seasonal foods as often as possible. This generally diversifies offerings, chefs love to get creative with the freshest food, and the less the food must travel, the more sustainable it is!
Recycle!!
Finally, we’ve all heard this before, but did you know recycling one soda can has the potential to create enough electricity for three hours of television? Make sure there are stations clearly marked throughout your venue for recycling. It also helps to have a plan of how and where it will be disposed of. Most venues can recycle, but make sure the process is clear and that there is a plan in place.
These tips are simple enough to implement and can make a great impact on the environment if it is regularly utilized by people like you!
Thanks for reading!
Inspired. Event. Solutions.
