Sustainability is a hot topic on the global agenda, forcing many businesses to adopt more environmentally friendly ways of operating. Embracing green event planning is fundamental to creating environmentally responsible and memorable experiences for event attendees.

In this article, we’ll look at the many elements of sustainable event management including the use of eco-friendly materials, how to reduce waste, employing sustainable catering, methods of water conservation, and more. By combining these sustainable event practices, event venues can achieve a position of responsible environmental practices. 

1. What are sustainable event practices? 

Sustainable event practices refers to the collection of measures, programs, and initiatives with a focus on reducing the environmental footprint of events. Sustainability principles embrace social, economic, and environmental factors to ensure a minimum impact to the planet and to guide events in how they should be managed with integrity.

Some sustainable event practices include:

• Waste Reduction Strategies: Clearly labeled bins for garbage, recycling, and compostables to encourage responsible waste management.
• Eco-Friendly Materials: Sustainable or ‘green’ substitutes such as reusable or recycled plastic to reduce the use of plastics or other ‘single use’ materials.
• Energy-Efficient Lighting: Energy-efficient light sources such as LEDs can be a green venue practice to foster sustainability.
• Sustainable Catering: Food sourced from an organic, sustainable, local farmer will allow the event to offer a healthy and environmentally conscious culinary experience for event attendees.
• Water Conservation Strategies: Water conservation methods include the installation of efficient irrigation systems and/or low-flow plumbing fixtures.
• Low-Impact Transportation: Adopt a sustainable attitude towards transportation by encouraging environmentally-friendly methods of commuting such as bicycling or carpooling.
• Attendee Engagement with Sustainability: Education and instruction in the adoption of sustainable practices might be the widest component of sustainable event management. It encompasses the processes through which attendees are encouraged to adopt sustainable attitudes towards and engage with the environment around them. 
• Environmental Event Technology: The adoption of technologies that reduce environmental impact in direct correlation with technological usage, such as paperless databases.
• Sustainable Metrics: Set and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) helping to measure the progress of the sustainability initiatives, with the idea of continuous improvement by reviewing the metrics.
• Green Value Practices: Employing sustainable practices into the everyday operations of the venue itself. 

2. Why is sustainability important for event venues?

Sustainability gives a venue an edge. Adoption of more sustainable events practices can raise the profile of a venue and, in turn, attract clients and attendees who identify themselves as environmentally conscious. By employing sustainable event practices, a venue will need to meet an increasing number of environmental regulations in order to minimize ligation and financial risks associated with pollution from waste, air pollution, or noise created by the venue.

3. How can venues reduce waste during events?

Reducing waste at events is a central aspect of event sustainability. Here are a few sustainable event practices to reduce waste:

• Source Separation: Provide waste bins indicating what is recyclable and what is compostable. This helps reduce the amount of mixed waste. 
• Waste Audits: Audit the waste data to see where event waste is generated most. With an audit, the venue can implement additional sustainability efforts for larger, more efficient waste reduction and green events. 
• Donation Programs: Find local charities that can take unused food and event items for donations. This allows for reduced waste and benefits the local community. 
• Digital Communication: Digital messages, invitations, and programs should be used to replace their paper or card counterparts.

4. What are eco-friendly alternatives to common event materials? 

One of the best ways to minimize the environmental impact of events is by using sustainable materials. These include:

• Reusable Decor: Some decorations can be used over and over for different events, reducing the need for disposable items.
• Recycled Paper Products: Posters, banners, and promotional materials can be printed on recycled paper.
• Biodegradable Cutlery and Plates: Reduce your event’s plastic consumption by using plates and cutlery made from corn starch or bamboo, both of which can break down more quickly than plastic alternatives.
• Sustainable Signage: Digital signage makes it easier to avoid waste. 
• Cloth Napkins and Tablecloths: Contribute to lowering paper consumption by using cloth napkins and tablecloths that can be washed and repurposed.

5. How can energy consumption be minimized at events?

Sustainable event practices include minimizing your energy consumption. Event venues can implement the following energy saving ideas: 

• LED Lights: LED lighting is energy-efficient and has a longer lifespan than traditional lighting fixtures.
• Motion-Activated Lighting: If lights are motion-activated, then they will only be switched on when there is something moving in the area that requires them to be on.
• Smart HVAC Systems: A smart heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system can automatically regulate the energy used based on the occupancy and the temperature. 
• Renewable Energy Sources: If the event is large enough, solar panels will be able to provide part or all of the energy required, and also offset the energy used.

6. What role does transportation play in sustainable events?

Transportation plays a significant role in carbon emissions. Below are possible measures that can be done by the venue:

• Partnership with Local Public Transportations Services: Companies that provide buses, trains, and other methods of transportation to the general public could be partners for local events. 
• Carpooling and Ridesharing Program: These programs are beneficial in keeping the number of personal vehicles on the roads to a minimum.
• Bike Parking: Biking can actively encourage attendees to use their own foot power to get to your event, making it an eco-friendly, pollutant-free, and sustainable method of transportation.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Encourage carpooling and the use of electric vehicles, rather than diesel or fuel-based vehicles.

7. How can food and beverage choices contribute to sustainability?

Green catering must be handled properly for the event to be environmentally sustainable. Some options include:

• Source Local, Organic and Plant-Based: Food and beverage sourced locally supports local farmers, the local economy, and cuts down on the amount of carbon emitted during transportation from the place of origin. Organic food minimizes the use of pesticides that harm the soil over time. Select your menu without meat since zero-waste catering makes much less of an environmental impact than meat-based menus, for example, the cost of raising the livestock.
• Seasonal Menus: Seasonal menus reduce the amount of food stored in refrigerated warehouses. 
• Zero-Waste Catering: Call professional caterers practicing zero-waste catering. They will use compostable plates made of plants and wrap the meals with compostable packaging that biodegrades and doesn’t have to be transported to landfills.

8. What are the best practices for water conservation at events?

Event venues can adopt the following best practices related to water as part of their overall sustainable event practices:

• Irrigation Systems: Dynamic scheduling can adjust the watering schedule according to the weather forecast and readings from soil moisture sensors.
• Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures: Low-flow faucets and toilets in the bathrooms and low-flow dishwashers and sinks in the kitchen and catering areas can minimize water usage. 
• Reusable Water Stations: Attendees easily reduce the use of single-use plastics through using reusable water stations.

9. How can venues encourage sustainability among attendees?

Attendee engagement sustainability can be achieved through the following:

• Education and Awareness Programs: Informing attendees of the venue’s sustainability initiatives and positive behaviors is the key behind creating these initiatives.
• Green Transportation Initiatives: Provide incentives for those who choose eco-friendly means of transportation. Examples include discounted rates for carpooling and cycling.
• Sustainable Merchandise: Reusable bags and water bottles can promote sustainability for the attendees. 

10. How can event planners measure and report sustainability efforts?

To effectively track the environmental impact of events, event planners should implement sustainability metrics. Some of these measures include:

• Carbon Footprint Calculators: These calculators estimate the amount of greenhouse gases created when an event takes place.
• Waste Audits: Audits calculate the proportion of material types or categories making up the generated waste of a particular event.
• Energy Consumption Tracking: Track the energy consumption created by an event and compare these numbers to benchmarks created from past events to evaluate the overall energy usage.
• Attendee Surveys: Ensure the satisfaction of the attendees after their visit to your event venue and ask if they’ve been kept informed about the sustainability measures of the venue and have any suggestions.
• Certification Programs: Participation in sustainability certification programs, for example the ISO 20121, demonstrates a commitment to responsibility in managing and operating the event. This also shows transparency to the public by emphasizing the sustainability practices of the venue. 
• Collaboration With Sustainability Experts: Approach experts to conduct an appraisal by giving recommendations and advice on where improvements could be made.

Conclusion

Incorporating sustainable event management highlights an event venue’s social responsibility to the climate crisis. By operating in a socially-responsible way, event venues can take steps towards a greener and brighter future by setting up a model for change. While constant efforts are required to enhance a venue’s approach to sustainability, it’s important to implement sustainable event practices for the long term and future generations.

If you are considering a venue for your next event, contact the professionals at the Lumber Exchange Event Center and take your event to the next level. From weddings and receptions to corporate events, we are the most versatile venue in Downtown Minneapolis.