In a world where sustainability is becoming a top priority for many businesses, green events offer a unique opportunity to create impactful gatherings that won’t harm the planet. By blending innovation, responsibility, and creativity, these occasions not only reduce environmental footprints but also deliver the kind of elite experiences you would expect from traditional premium quality events.
So, what can you do to make your next company occasion a lean, green engagement machine? From trading paper for digital to sustainably-conscious catering, we’ve got everything you need to plan an eco-friendly event that leaves a lasting mark on attendees — without leaving one on the planet.
What are Green Events?
Also known as sustainable events, green events aim to reduce their environmental impact by implementing eco-friendly practices. These gatherings focus on minimising waste, conserving energy, and using sustainable resources wherever possible. This usually involves choosing recyclable/compostable materials, providing digital tickets instead of paper, and using locally-sourced, organic catering.
The ideal outcome of green events is a perfect marriage of engagement and ethics. No stone should be left unturned in the quest to curb excess, so you may want to consider energy-efficient technology, promote low-carbon public transport alternatives, and prioritise venues that boast sustainable certifications. As the fragile state of the environment makes headline news, green events offer a way to host impactful gatherings without compromising on enjoyment.
The Brilliant Benefits of Green Event Planning
Reducing environmental impact is just one crucial element of green event planning. At its core, it involves delivering engaging experiences that combine perfectly with eco-conscious values. By adopting more sustainable practices at your gatherings you can not only save resources, but also impress attendees, and showcase your commitment to ethical decision-making.
The main benefits are:
- Save Money: You can reduce costs by cutting waste, minimising energy usage, and banning single-use items.
- Brand Boost: Showcasing your commitment to sustainability could help you attract eco-conscious attendees and sponsors.
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: You can lower your environmental impact with the likes of sustainable catering, green venues, and eco-friendly travel options.
- Better Engagement: Attendees are more likely to connect with events that reflect their own ethics and values.
Embracing green event planning not only benefits the planet but also ensures your gatherings are impactful, forward-thinking, and most importantly, memorable.
How to Host a Green Event in 5 Steps
Planning a green business event is a powerful way to showcase your commitment to sustainability while making a positive impact on the environment. From going digital and choosing eco-friendly venues to sustainable catering and reducing single-use items, these practices can minimise waste and emissions.
Here’s how to create a greener, more responsible event.
1. Go Digital
Going digital is the first big step for anyone wondering how to host a green event. You can start by skipping the short-term waste of printed paper by sending out electronic invitations and tickets instead. Another option is to adopt the latest event apps and websites, so attendees can access schedules, speaker info, maps, and other materials on their smartphones or laptops.
Initiatives like this can have a huge impact on reduced paper waste, saving resources and keeping everything nice and simple for guests.
2. Choose Eco-Friendly Venues
Venue selection plays a major role in green business events. Therefore, look for locations that have sustainability certifications or can demonstrate that they take eco-friendliness seriously. In practice, this means finding venues that use energy-efficient lighting, have systems for recycling and composting, or offer carbon offset programs.
If you’re unsure, ask if the venue provides reusable materials (e.g., linen napkins) or has water-saving features. These little details can significantly lower a gathering’s carbon footprint. Also, travel can have a tangible environmental impact, so work around this by only considering local venues and promoting public transport where possible for attendees.
Finally, you could go a step further by transforming your in-person gathering into a virtual or hybrid one. This not only reduces or removes travel-related emissions — it might make your gathering more appealing to guests who are curious about the occasion itself but don’t fancy trekking across the city.
3. Choose Sustainable Catering
While food choices can sometimes be detrimental to your environmental footprint, sustainable catering can make a positive impact. For green business events that are equal parts nourishing and ethical, opt for local suppliers and seasonal ingredients to reduce emissions and support local farmers. To minimise waste, work closely with your caterer to ensure that portions are well-planned. Additionally, to further reduce environmental impact while benefitting your community, consider partnering with local food banks by donating any leftovers to a good cause.
Finally, consider tapping into the growing demand for plant-based options, as these products usually have a much lower carbon footprint than meat alternatives.
4. Reduce Single-Use Items
Single-use plastics are a serious environmental burden, so avoid using them altogether at green business events. You can do this by providing biodegradable reusable cups, plates, and cutlery made from sustainable materials. To keep everyone refreshed, set up water refill stations around the venue to reduce the need for bottled water, or encourage attendees to bring their own reusable bottles.
If your event requires giveaways or ‘swag’, choose items that are practical, durable, and eco-friendly, such as reusable bags, bamboo pens, or stainless-steel straws. Essentially, anything that has some long-term benefit and won’t just be heading to a landfill before you’ve had a chance to take down the decorations.
5. Promote Green Travel
Travel also makes a serious contribution to our carbon footprint, making cleaner transport options an essential feature of green event planning. For in-person attendees, you can encourage the use of public transportation or carpooling to reduce emissions, with incentives like discounts, or freebies, for guests who opt for an eco-friendly journey.
If you’ve done your venue research, attendees shouldn’t be expected to fly, but consider including carbon offsets in the ticket price if this just can’t be avoided. For more remote guests, virtual and hybrid event options offer the chance to connect online, which reduces the need for travel entirely. This is a great way to increase accessibility and boost attendance numbers while also leaving a smaller carbon footprint.
The Experts in Green Business Events
Far from being a passing trend, green events are a powerful way to showcase your brand’s long-term commitment to sustainability. By embracing eco-friendly practices like digital ticketing, sustainable venues, and locally-sourced catering, you can create meaningful experiences that reflect your attendees’ values. These events can inspire action, foster connections, and highlight your role as a thought leader in sustainability.
At ConnectIn Events, we specialise in helping businesses host exceptional, eco-conscious gatherings that stand out for all the right reasons. With our expertise in all areas of event planning, we’ll guide you all the way from concept to execution to ensure your event is both impactful and ethical.
Contact us today to create an unforgettable event that makes a positive impression — in every sense.
