6 Tips for Planning Eco-Friendly Events
By Cora Gold
Hosting an event doesn’t have to mean compromising your green values. No matter what’s coming up on your calendar, you can plan a gathering that’s good for the planet and creates incredible memories. Use these strategic tips for planning eco-friendly events to streamline your efforts and reduce stress.
1. Work With Local Vendors
Research family-owned businesses close to your upcoming event. Partner with them to arrange food, decorations, and other supplies. You’ll shrink your carbon footprint before your big date arrives.
Annual monthly cargo ship emissions totaled 204 million tons in March 2023. The number doesn’t include CO2 waste created by non-cargo ships and planes. If you’re planning a wedding, getting flowers and decor from businesses near your venue will eliminate the need for cross-country or international shipping emissions, especially if they make everything with locally sourced supplies.
2. Create a Recycling Bin
Waste is an unavoidable part of any event. Recycling efforts will minimize the amount that travels from your gathering to nearby landfills. Anyone organizing a birthday celebration can arrange a one-time pickup from a nearby business. Hang a sign pointing to the recycling bin so attendees know where to drop off their recyclable items, such as soda cans, paper plates, and other reusable goods.
Larger events may need more than one recycling deposit area. If your gathering happens outside, you should also move the bins away from any food sources. Bugs might gather around the sticky soda cans and leftovers on disposable dishware.
3. Invite Long-Distance Guests Virtually
Seeing people in person might be nice, but they often have to travel to reach your event. Whether your long-distance attendees have to drive far or fly, they’ll contribute CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. Consider inviting these individuals virtually.
Gatherings like corporate conferences can stream scheduled events online for free. You could also create a video call link with a private access code for people who RSVP. Experts found that 70% of organizations had more attendance when people could attend events virtually and in person. With a virtual streaming option, you can achieve a higher turnout at your event and make it more sustainable.
4. Provide Green Goodie Bags
Many partygoers look forward to goodie bags when the event ends. If you’re planning a retirement or birthday party, you don’t have to skip the thank-you gifts to minimize your environmental impact. Create greener options, such as reusable water bottles, local plant seeds, or monogrammed bottle openers. Consider which miniature gifts align with your event’s theme to narrow down your eco-friendly options.
5. Choose a Sustainable Venue
Finding a great place for any event can be challenging. People planning fundraisers, corporate award ceremonies, or gala dinners likely can’t host the gatherings at home. Browse potential venues based on their green efforts.
A restaurant website could highlight how the manager uses LED lights to improve the building’s energy efficiency without changing the dining atmosphere. Hotel websites could clarify if they feature green architecture, particularly in each property’s conference rooms. If you can’t find any information about a venue you love, call the manager to discuss their sustainable efforts.
6. Offset With Carbon Credits
Large events can also become eco-friendly. If you’re outlining the details for a public festival, you don’t have to worry about the crowds permanently harming the environment. Options like recycling partnerships and composting bins for food waste help in real time, while carbon offsetting credits resolve emissions after your event ends.
Save some of the profits from your get-together for carbon offset organizations. You’ll make up for the emissions created by everyone traveling to your festival. Participants might also want to participate. Hang a sign with a digital donation code so people strolling through your event can donate as well.
Plan the Ultimate Eco-Friendly Event
Creating a sustainable gathering requires creativity. Use some strategic planning tips to make any event eco-friendly. You’ll help the planet, accomplish your goals, and ensure every attendee has an incredible experience.
About the author: Cora Gold is a sustainability writer who aims to live a healthy, low-waste lifestyle. Read more from Cora in Revivalist magazine, LinkedIn, and Twitter.