11 Easy Tips on How to Organize a Sustainable Event

Julie Starr • October 24, 2020



Going green should no longer be the last thought when it is time to plan an event. No matter the type of event or how big it is, you should always consider how it will impact the environment. The global event and meeting industry is worth a whopping $840 million , with a quarter of the amount being the programs’ marketing budgets. Many companies might feel that using a much greener approach might be expensive, however, when you carefully examine a more environmentally friendly event, you will find that they are, in fact, more budget-friendly. 

Thankfully, there are newer innovations that help when it comes to planning green programs. As people are continuously growing to become more climate-conscious , it might not be long before organizing sustainable events becomes a requirement. So, what can you do if you find yourself planning an event? Here are a few sustainable tips:

Select a green venue
 It would not help to host an event at a location that does not adopt climate-friendly practices or is not particularly green. One of the best things you can do is select an eco-friendly venue that would reduce your carbon footprint. So, when you are planning your next event, consider a modern-day location with upgraded systems designed to conserve water, electricity, and smart temperature control. You can also ask about your venue’s waste management process, including their composting or recycling policies. If you cannot find a green-accredited space, you can look for one that still has some concrete environmentally friendly policies or practices. 

Use a green meeting calculator
 If you are having trouble finding a suitable eco-friendly destination, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is here to help you. ICAO has created an app to help you find meeting venues or locations that will have the lowest impact on your carbon emissions. 

The calculator will rank the best destination for your event based on your number of guests and your current location. You can download the app from Google Playstore or the Apple Store. 

Include locally sourced foods in your menu
 When planning a sustainable event, you should strongly consider what kinds of food to include in your menu. For best results, opt for local and seasonal fruits, vegetables, and meats where possible. Eating seasonal or local might seem like a recent trend or fad, but it does have its advantages. Local foods have a richer flavor and are more nutritious. It is also cost-efficient to eat local or seasonal as it reduces storage and transportation costs. 

Donate any leftovers
 Food waste is a significant environmental issue. Aside from that, we end up wasting the resources that go into preparing that food as well. When we waste food, we end up wasting nearly a quarter of water supply in the form of uneaten foods. It also comes with a massive carbon footprint burden because it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas when food is left to rot. So, instead of throwing any leftover dishes after an event, you can choose to donate to soup kitchens or local charities. You can check with your venue if they have any donation programs. That way, you can make an impact. Ideally, to reduce food wastage, you can ask your attendees’ dietary requirements in advance to help you get a clearer idea of how much food to order for your event. Additionally, you can also opt to have plated meals instead of a buffet. 

Plan sustainable or environmentally friendly activities

Activities are a great way to keep your event guests attentive and thoroughly entertained. If you are looking to have an eco-friendlier program, you can develop some sustainable activities; you can organize tree-planting exercises or even beach clean-ups. These team-building activities will keep them active and learn more about their environment. Plus, your guests will feel more fulfilled for helping protect the environment. 

Use sustainable cutlery and packaging
 Plastic cutlery, bottles, and Styrofoam are harmful to the environment because they do not decompose as quickly as organic compounds do. It can take up to 1000 years for plastic to decompose in a landfill because the chemical bonds in those materials are not present in nature. Therefore, there are no naturally occurring elements to help break it down. When trying to practice sustainable eating at events, the best option is to use reusable cutlery. Get rid of all the plasticware including all straws, plastic spoons, and even plastic decor. Instead of providing water bottles, you can have water stations or fountains installed. You can see this as a way to get more creative and look out for biodegradable or compostable items to use instead. 

Go paperless
 Most events typically tend to use a lot of paper. Sometimes, even your venue might provide you with branded notepads and plastic pens to help attendees make short notes during the program. Plus, you might have to print out brochures, program line ups, invitation cards, and so on. While these papers might look nice, the sad fact is that more than half of them end up in waste bins at the end of the day. Not only would it negatively impact the environment, but you would have lost a whole lot more money.

So, what can you do to reduce the amount of paper at an event? The answer is quite simple. Go paperless and digitize everything. Instead of creating an event flyer, you can create a website or an app. Or you can put up your program on event management websites and have guests RSVP. You can also advertise and promote your program via email or social media instead of using traditional media such as billboards and posters. Plus, on the day of the event, ensure that you present everything digitally. You can put up LED screens or project any relevant information.  

Rent all IT equipment
 Typically, event guests and organizers bring their electronic gadgets when attending programs. The problem with guests bringing their laptops, in particular, is that they usually require being placed on a hard surface. Furthermore, they can be quite heavy to carry, depending on the brand. Plus, the average laptop has a five-hour battery life and would require charging. Most laptops are also not energy efficient as you can use up to 45 watts of power to charge them. 

Fortunately, many IT companies allow you to rent tablets or iPads for significant events and conferences. iPad rental has many benefits; not only are they portable and lightweight, but they also have an average battery health of 10 hours. Unlike the laptop, the latest iPads or tablets are super energy efficient and require about 15 watts of power.

Ensure that everyone understands and participates
 If you want to have a genuinely sustainable event, it will require a lot of participation from all key players, including your venue hosts, suppliers, sponsors, and guests. Ensure that you effectively communicate your green efforts and vision to all attendees. Not only will that positively impact your surroundings in the long run, but it will boost your brand’s image. 

Keep logistics in mind
It can also be important to make sure your logistics make sense in light of this consideration. Encourage people to attend your event using greener transport methods, and perhaps even incentivize this by offering discounts to those who do. You may use ID Warehouse tags to enable chaperones to make sure parking is correctly applied, so that no guests need to waste time looking for a parking spot and thus wasting resources, or perhaps you can situate the parking further away to ensure your green space takes more of a precedent, helping you strike a stronger image.

This kind of application not only speaks to your values but sustainability in macro as a practical good, rather than a simple goal you espouse. This, again, will boost your brand’s image with confidence.

Go virtual
 With the ongoing global pandemic, going virtual is the new norm. And, even after the pandemic clears and things go back to normal, not much will change. Therefore, responsible business and event organizers trying to be more environmentally-conscious should strongly consider virtual events and their advantages. Videoconferencing alone is one of the easiest and most effective ways for organizers to help save the planet. This will help reduce the usage of paper, gas, and several other factors that negatively affect the environment. Instead of driving or flying to event centers and contributing to emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, you can simply join any event right from the comfort of your home. 

Include sustainability requirements in your RFPs
 When planning an event, you will need to work with several suppliers to ensure that everything goes on smoothly. However, if you are going for a greener approach, you need to make sure that your suppliers know and understand your requirements. When you are preparing your Request for Proposals (RFP) to suppliers, ensure that they include environmentally friendly services. But it also rests on you to clearly define sustainability requirements in your request and if there are any other extra costs. Ensure that you ask any suppliers for proof of any sustainability services they offer or claims they make. People tend to slap on any “green” titles, so you need to be extra careful and vigilant. 

Well-planned events have a significant reach and can be immensely successful for organizers, and that is why they are trendy. However, it can negatively impact the environment due to the number of resources needed to pull it off. When you finally decide to organize an eco-friendly event or at least have sustainability elements in your schedule, not only will it leave a positive lasting impression on your guests, but you will also positively impact your environment. Hopefully, these tips will help you make the best “green” decisions when planning your next event. 

 

 

Why Telling Your Sustainability Story Matters — And How Taiga Company Can Help

By Julie Starr • December 17, 2024
In today’s world, sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. Consumers, investors, and stakeholders are demanding more transparency and accountability from brands. They don’t just want to know what you sell; they want to know who you are, what you stand for, and how your work contributes to a better world. That’s where your sustainability story comes in. Sharing your achievements in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about building trust, fostering loyalty, and inspiring action. At Taiga Company, we specialize in helping organizations authentically communicate their sustainability achievements in ways that drive measurable impact and align with their goals. Why Sharing Your Sustainability Achievements Is Good for Business Build Trust with Stakeholders Sustainability storytelling builds credibility and trust. Whether you’re addressing investors, employees, or customers, sharing your sustainability milestones demonstrates your commitment to accountability and long-term value creation. For example: Highlight your efforts in achieving science-based targets, reducing carbon emissions, or adopting circular economy practices. These stories resonate with audiences looking for businesses that align with their values. Differentiate Your Brand In a competitive marketplace, sustainability can set you apart. Brands that communicate their achievements in regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, or biodiversity conservation position themselves as industry leaders and innovators. Think of it this way: A well-told sustainability story is not just a report—it’s a statement of leadership, authenticity, and purpose. Drive Stakeholder Engagement Sustainability stories invite dialogue. By showcasing meaningful milestones, like successful recycling initiatives or community reforestation projects, you foster stronger relationships with stakeholders who want to be part of your mission. Engagement isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about inspiring action. Whether through social media campaigns, press releases, or executive thought leadership, your achievements can encourage others to collaborate and support your goals. Attract Purpose-Driven Talent and Customers Today’s workforce and consumers seek brands with purpose. Communicating your impact helps attract talent and customers who align with your mission. A transparent, well-executed sustainability strategy speaks volumes about your leadership and values. At Taiga Company, we specialize in results-driven communications that empower purpose-led brands to share their sustainability achievements with confidence and clarity. Our services ensure your story resonates with the audiences that matter most. Your sustainability achievements deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Whether it’s reducing carbon emissions, innovating in sustainable packaging, or leading water stewardship initiatives, telling your story is an opportunity to inspire trust, drive action, and shape a better future.

Why Going Green Is No Longer Optional for Industry Leaders

By Julie Starr • December 16, 2024
Alright, so here’s the deal, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Sure, at this most most industries, yes, even the most unsustainable industries have this general idea, right? Well, you’re always going to find some businesses in some niches (and yes, industries too) who think that it doesn’t apply to them. But no, it applies to all niches and all industries, and yes, it’s a business requirement. Now, across every industry, the companies that are embracing green practices are the ones that are thriving. Why? Well, because customers, investors, and employees are all paying attention. If a business isn’t making an effort to be sustainable, it’s not just falling behind, it’s losing out. Overall, sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about saving your business. Yes, this needs to be hammered in, so industry leaders, here’s why you’re just not excused. Green Practices Mean Growth Yep, it’s that plain and simple, So, sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s about doing the smart thing. Businesses that prioritize green practices are cutting costs, staying competitive, and building trust with their audiences. So, reducing waste, switching to renewable energy, and sourcing materials ethically aren’t just good for the planet, they’re great for the bottom line. Simple enough, right? Well, take packaging, for example. Cutting down on unnecessary plastics doesn’t just make customers happy; it slashes production and disposal costs. So, switching to energy-efficient operations isn’t just environmentally friendly, rather, it saves a fortune on utilities. There don’t need to be roadblocks seen, rather they should be opportunities! There’s Plenty to Gain Okay, so sustainability isn’t just for industries with obvious environmental impact, it’s critical in healthcare too. Again, no excuses here. Hospitals and clinics use massive amounts of energy, and the waste from single-use supplies piles up fast. The same can be said for labs, and pharmacies too. Actually, go ahead and take specialty drugs as an example. Now, most people know that these life-changing treatments are for serious conditions, but they often come with sky-high costs. But why? Well, the production and distribution processes can be incredibly resource-heavy. But even sustainable practices can help lower prices, such as energy-efficient manufacturing or even cutting down on excess packaging. It might be hard to see, but little changes can make massive impacts on costs (and what’s being spent on both ends). Tech Easily Shows How Sustainability Drives Innovation The tech industry has been leading the charge when it comes to sustainability, and the results speak for themselves. Actually, companies like Google and Apple are proving that being green isn’t just possible, but this can actually be pretty profitable! If tech companies can do this, then yeah, all industries are capable. So above, medicine was mentioned, but data centers are also a great example ( since they use a lot of energy). Well, nowadays, most companies are now powering these centers with renewable energy, cutting costs and emissions at the same time. No Industry Gets a Free Pass It doesn’t matter if it’s healthcare, tech, retail, or manufacturing, basically, every industry has something to gain by going green. There are small examples like retailers ditching plastic bags for reusable ones. Then there are bigger examples like factories rethinking supply chains to cut emissions and save costs. But the reality is that businesses sticking to wasteful, outdated practices are falling behind. Besides, governments are rolling out stricter regulations.
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