1. think green from the beginning
plan your event with sustainable practices in mind instead of getting everything into place and then trying to make it greener. if you pick areas to focus on (e.g. sustainable food and beverage options) from the get-go, it’s easier to incorporate them into your event.
2. location, location, location
we’ve all heard this one before, right? is your event somewhere walkable, accessible by bike, public transportation or car-pooling efforts? if guests are flying in, is your venue near an airport with shuttle services?
3. venue, venue, venue
find out about your potential venues and their sustainability practices. is it a green certified or LEED (leadership in energy & environmental design) certified building? do they use energy star appliances? what are their waste management practices?
4. think locally
support local relationships and business by using products, foods, and services within 100 miles of your event location. look for food that is locally grown, seasonal, and organic!
5. responsible food sourcing
select foods from sustainable sources from businesses with sustainable sourcing practices. going directly to local markets & farmers is also a great idea. don’t forget to find out about their waste management practices, too!
6. community
get your guests/community involved! let them know what kind of sustainable practices are taking place at your event. and let them know about the opportunities you are providing to recycle, compost, or offset their carbon footprint!
7. web instead of print
instead of sending guests event information (directions, lodging, etc.) on paper, create a website for your event or utilize online invitations – save some coin... and some paper!
8. recycled paper
if you need to use paper for invitations, cards, notes, etc., choose printed materials that are 100% recycled. or try seed paper, which can be planted by guests to grow flowers or herbs!
9. donate
donate unused food, beverages, flowers, decorations, and other materials leftover from the event. any items that can’t be donated, consider them for compost!
10. register for a benefit
instead of requesting/registering for gifts, ask guests to make a charitable contribution towards an organization, endowment, or community project of your choice. if you do go the registry route, be sure to choose sustainable and eco-friendly gifts!
any other green tips you got out there? if so, please share!
These are some great ideas! I am currently in the process of planning a large scale event and I would like to incorporate some sustainable and eco-friendly aspects - this is a great starting point. Thanks for sharing. One question that I have for you however is that do you find incorporating some of these more eco-friendly aspects raise your costs? This is something that I am challenged with.
ReplyDeleteStrangely enough, I was reading another blog today for a planning a wedding on budget that provided some great tips:
ReplyDeletehttp://savvybrideguide.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/10-savvy-planning-tips/
I commented that there is some crossover between our two listings.
When planning something green, look to borrow and use items that you already have, like canning jars for rustic candle holders. Or using recycled paper if you need to have printed materials. Better yet, go electronic. This is often a cheaper (sometimes even free!) option.
Even simple things like beverages -- pick to have tap-water and other drinks served in glass pitchers, carafs, or decanters instead of plastic bottles. Single-serving plastic drink bottles are generally more expensive.
You might not be able to be "super green" on all aspects of your event but pick a few things (like tip #1 of this blog says) that you can really focus your sustainable eye on, from the get-go. Every little bit helps!