Best Practices For A More Sustainable Live Event
The words “sustainable” and “live events” are rarely synonymous, but as we return to live events, we see (much to our excitement!) events making incremental changes to be more green. According to BeaconLive, a typical national conference attendee produces more than 1.89 kg of waste a day, most of which will end up in a landfill. That is equal to the weight of five cans of Campbell’s tomato soup! As corporate event planners, we know firsthand that a lot of waste can be generated when producing a live event, However, with forethought and research, many items can be reduced, reused, and recycled.
PLAN FOR IT
The first step is to plan ahead and outline the sustainability initiatives you are trying to accomplish at your event. Even small changes make a difference, so no need to be overwhelmed to do everything right out of the gate. Find vendors who can help you accomplish your goals and, since you are planning ahead, this will also ensure your RFP’s specifically speak to what you are looking for regarding sustainability.
AUDIO/VISUAL
The #1 best practice here is to separate recyclable materials from the beginning. Alert your A/V crew that you have recycling cans and trash bins available and throw all the plastic into one area. The waste management company hired should be able to go through the recyclables and separate them appropriately. Stage scenic also produces large amounts of waste from the intricate background pieces to the carpet. Work with your scenic partner to see if you can use repurposed set materials or if they might have a future use for items. If not, a Carpet Recycling Locator can help you find carpet recycling centers in the area. Additionally, we love resources like Earth911 , which can help you find a recycling center for virtually any material you are trying to recycle.
SIGNAGE AND PRINTS
So, the event is over and now you have directional signage, posters with the event date, and a variety of other prints that cannot be reused. What now? While most of the time it ends up in the garbage, it doesn’t have to. Understanding what materials your signage is made from is key. Only some substrates are able to be recycled and most of the time that needs to be done through specialty recycling centers. We would suggest separating all of the styrofoam, vinyl, PVC, smaller marketing materials, etc. from each other and then following a guide like GreatBigPictures to see where they can end up next.
Want to make an even bigger impact? Look into digital signage as one way to level up your next event while also being green.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Working with your caterer, find a local pickup service that will donate the leftover food to a shelter in the area. Replate, Food Rescue US, and Rescuing Leftover Cuisine are great places to start and one of the most affordable ways to be sustainable while directly enriching the lives of others. Throughout the last few years, Bash Creative has donated 1,380 pounds of food through our partnership with Replate (which we are so proud of!) This has saved 377,800 gallons of water (enough to produce 10,000 cups of espresso) and diverted 2,788 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air (the work of almost 60 Redwoods!)
It’s also a good idea to understand what will be used to serve the food and beverages. Using compostable plates and cutlery is an easy way to cut back on waste. Eliminating plastic water bottles with water bottle filling stations or glass bottles also makes the event’s carbon footprint shrink substantially. We love that food and beverage is one area with numerous achievable ways to make a difference!
DECOR
We recommend renting (not purchasing) as many decor items as possible, but inevitably there is always something left behind...florals, swag, or a couple of rogue pillows. The items are too nice to throw away so the better option is to donate! Many stores like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity welcome usable leftover items. If possible, scheduling a pickup a few weeks in advance of the event is a great practice. Florals can be donated to a senior center or hospital to brighten the day for those who may be in need of a pick-me-up.
If you have been wanting to take the plunge into producing green, live events, give us a shout! We would love to assist you with your corporate event and help make an sustainable impact together!
Bash Creative is an event planning company that specializes in incredible gatherings that go beyond just great design. We’re known for teasing out smart goals for your event and serve up a stylish execution that will keep your guests buzzing. Located in San Francisco, but often found in New York, Austin, Chicago, Seattle, and beyond.