With the term ‘sustainability’ everywhere these days, it's essential to take a step back and define what it truly means. According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, sustainability is defined as “a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged”. In other words, meeting our present needs without jeopardizing future generations' ability to meet their own. There is a common misconception involving sustainability. Many people think it’s all just about the environment. Although saving our planet is a HUGE driving force of sustainability, it’s also very much about future economic mobility and humans' future ability to live.

Now that we understand what sustainability really means, it’s time to discuss how the event industry can support this eco-friendly concept. On average, events create 2.5 pounds of landfill-bound waste, per person, per day. That’s a lot! The good news is that there are more sustainable ways to host events and we’re here to share with you how!

At Wizard Studios, we want to challenge the idea that mass consumption is necessary for unique experiences, and we want to draw attention to true creativity and environmental consciousness. Our goal is to shift the cultural emphasis on sustainability to one of hope, necessity, and collective action.

Here we go!

ECO-FRIENDLY VENUES

The location matters for any event, but if you want to prioritize sustainability with your event planning, then you have to do a little extra research. We suggest considering a central location for your attendees that will reduce carbon emissions associated with air travel. If the majority of your attendees are in New York, don’t pick Chicago or Los Angeles for your event. Once you’ve settled on the perfect city, look for a venue that champions sustainability. Wizard Studios can help you find venues that are either LEED certified or committed to being green. 

Here are some questions to ask yourself or your team when looking for your next event venue:

• Does the building have on-site accommodations, possibly reducing emissions from hotel to event venue travel?

• Is this building accessible via public transportation?

• Does the building support sustainability?

• What energy efficiency practices are in place? (LED lighting, renewable energy, occupancy sensors, demand-controlled ventilation, etc.)

• How does the venue handle recycling and composting?

• Does the venue support waste reduction options like limited disposables?

These questions will help you find the perfect eco-friendly venue for your event. If you’d like help finding the perfect sustainable venue, contact the venue scouts at Wizard Studios, and we’ll be sure to find the perfect location for your next gathering. 

REDUCE WASTE

Waste is an area in which ​​events have a lot of room for improvement. Sustainability experts, teachers, and parents often teach children and adults to reduce, reuse, and recycle. The same principles should apply to events. The first step toward a more environmentally friendly event is to reduce overall waste. Consider a paperless event in which all information is contained in mobile apps, emails, or an event’s website. Replace single-use plastic and paper cups with reusable cutlery, metal water bottles, glasses, and coffee mugs.

PRO TIP: Offering swag bags as party favors to attendees is an opportunity to promote and provide reusable products. Make sure the bag is made of sustainable materials that are durable and will outlive the conference or event. Fill the bag with products that are eco-friendly and reusable for your guests to take home and use well beyond the date of the event. 

MINIMIZE FOOD WASTE

People don’t often associate food with an environmental crisis, but due to unsustainable agricultural practices, we have lost more than 75 billion tons of fertile soil, over 24.7 million acres of forest, per year, and over 60% of the world's biodiversity since the industrial revolution. 

Food waste is the most common material landfilled and incinerated in the United States, accounting for 50% of all waste generated by Americans each year. While your first priority should be to properly portion food to limit leftovers, it is critical to have a compost, trash, and recycling plan in place for your conference. 

We can help you find caterers that focus on sustainable, locally sourced ingredients and are committed to using eco-friendly disposable products that are compostable. 

Here are some great ways to minimize your event's food waste:

• Reuse event materials

• Ensure that all bins are properly labeled and grouped together for easy access

• Compost bins should always be equipped with a compostable bin liner

• Place logo on marketing materials to encourage green practices

• Create “green” notes to inform guests about green practices 

• Healthy food options that feature organic and local ingredients

• The menu should be 75% vegetarian

• Service local foods

• Serve mostly finger foods

• Provide compostable cups, plates, napkins, utensils, and other service ware.

• Offer beverage pitchers and air pot dispensers as an alternative to bottled water/drinks and aluminum cans

• Provide compostable takeaway boxes

PRO TIP: Donate acceptable food items to the community, such as unopened snacks and unfinished meals. Sealed bags of chips, ripe bananas, and unfinished sandwiches should not end up in a landfill.

CHOOSE EVENT MATERIALS WISELY

Events consume a lot of resources, many of which end up in the trash the next day. A few small changes could make a big difference in how much of your big day ends up in a landfill and could also play an important role in making events feel safe for everyone in attendance. 

Glass vases can be reused for floral centerpieces and decorations, and don't worry, with the right efforts, no one will notice that they were used at a previous event. Use real flowers instead of fake flowers, as floral foam can take hundreds of years to decompose in a landfill. After thoroughly sanitizing, re-use decorations from a previous event or inquire with your event management company about what they have on hand. Get creative and see if you can repurpose those decorations to make something new! 

Many recycled materials or upcycled products can have a simple yet interesting appearance. Consider using "new" materials for exterior features, such as bamboo, wood, or stainless steel, which, unlike plastic, can be easily reused repeatedly.

• Refrain from distributing single-use materials and reduce promotional giveaways such as key rings, pens, etc.

• Limit the usage of plastic banners, backdrops, and signage. Try using FSC-certified paper or cardboard instead.

• Utilize QR codes instead of printed handouts to direct participants to the information. If you need to print, try exclusively on FSC-certified paper and avoid using lots of colors.

• Avoid mass mailing to attendees and consider reducing your carbon footprint with emails.

• Organize the disposal of all recyclable materials. Visit your local waste management or sustainability website to find information about waste collection, where to donate good furniture, fabrics, and other materials 

To read extra tips on how to create sustainable events, visit our past blog, “The Art of Creating Sustainable Events For 2022”.

The first step toward a more sustainable future begins with a single step. Intentional actions, even if small and gradual, will make a world of difference over time. Change is still change. Setting a conscious focus on your brand's approach to sustainability benefits more than just the environment. It ensures future generations' livelihoods and future profit. Contact the event expert at Wizard Studios today and let’s start preparing your next sustainable, eco-friendly event!