Events are powerful community-building tools. They can mend social fragmentation and define the values of a community while helping individuals find a purpose and sense of belonging. From small social gatherings filled with meaningful conversation to a big party with good music, events are essential to the health of a community and necessary to create lasting change. The influence that events can have makes it even more important to place sustainability at the top of our priorities when curating events. Anyone who has even attempted to host an event knows this is simple in theory but quite challenging in practice.
Reducing the environmental impact of events is necessary, no matter the size of your event. Here are some ideas to make your event environmentally sustainable.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Waste reduction plays a prominent role in hosting a sustainable event, as events can produce many forms of waste. Signage, single-use plates and cutlery, and event gifts are a few things that become waste after an event. However, many alternatives and methods can reduce and even eliminate waste.
- Set Goals: Have a discussion with your team about what your waste reduction goals are. How about starting with 75% of your waste being composted or recycled? REMEMBER, reduction is more important than recycling.
- Advertise Digitally: Instead of printing out posters and other signage, advertise your event online through social media.
- Purchase reusable: Buy items that can be used at other events, such as banners, decorations, or plates.
Local and Plant Based Food Options
Food is a pivotal part of any event and should not be excluded from sustainable initiatives. Menus that are heavily meat-based or have been transported long distances have high carbon emissions and can be very detrimental to local habitats.
- Offer a plant-based option: Plant-based meals have a much lower emission and are more inclusive than their meat-based counterparts. These meals can have a lower impact when they include locally sourced ingredients.
- Food Donation Plans: UNEP estimates that 8-10% of global carbon emissions can be attributed to food waste (2021). Donating leftover food at the end of an event is a great way to reduce waste. Try using FreeEats to donate leftovers after your next event. You can also plan to compost food scraps during meal prep and at the event.
Inform Guests about Your Sustainability Initiatives
By helping your guests understand the sustainability goals of an event, it is easier for them to participate and sets an expectation for mindfulness in the community.
- Clear signage regarding what can be recycled and composted and what should be thrown away allows guests to dispose of their waste correctly with little effort.
- Sustainability representatives are individuals educated on the event's sustainability guidelines and goals. These people can answer questions from guests and help them with activities such as recycling, returning reusable products, and more.
When implementing sustainability in any form, we must acknowledge that true sustainability includes environmentalism and social responsibility. In a community as diverse as Franklin, it is crucial to host enjoyable events for a diverse group of people.
Social Sustainability:
Create a diverse team: Before planning your event, open your planning committee to include a diverse group of people, in turn inviting a wide variety of experiences and opinions. Doing so will make the event inherently more diverse by setting an expectation of inclusivity.
Inclusive food choices: Along with lowering the emissions of the event menu, one should look at providing food that people from various cultures, religions, and preferences can enjoy. Think about the variety of guests who will attend the event and the foods that are culturally important to them.
Make the event accessible: An accessible event can mean several different things. It is important to make the event physically accessible to guests. Depending on the event, think of ways to include guests with varying levels of physical ability. Ask questions such as: are the bathrooms safe and accessible to everyone? Can everyone access the event venue? How can we help guests get to the venue if it is far from campus?
Sustainable event planning is indeed simple in theory, but as anyone who has ever organized an event can attest, it can be a complex and demanding endeavor in practice. Yet, it's precisely this challenge that makes it so worthwhile. The power of events to bring people together, mend social fragmentation, and define the values of a community is unparalleled. Events provide a platform for individuals to find purpose and a sense of belonging, fostering connections that can lead to lasting change.
Hosting a sustainable and inclusive event is a monumental undertaking that requires meticulous planning and innovative solutions. However, it's a journey well worth embarking upon. The Green Office is here to support every club, organization, or individual seeking to make a positive impact through sustainable event planning. We offer guidance, resources, and a shared commitment to creating events that not only bring people together but also leave a lasting legacy of positive change. Together, we can host events that reflect our values, inspire our communities, and set a shining example for a more sustainable and inclusive future.
By Skylar Tempel
Green Office Scholar