In our world full of dazzling events and grand spectacles, a profound reflection emerges among organizers and attendees: events, however magnificent, leave a considerable carbon footprint on our planet.
While the allure of events is undeniable, the environmental cost — from piles of waste to exorbitant energy consumption — is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. However, therein lies an opportunity to carry out sustainable practices and stand out for reducing environmental impacts.
CarbonBox has supported various events:music festivals such as Festival Estéreo Picnicand BAUM, as well as themed events such as congresses and conventions for organizations like FENAVI and Asobancaria. Based on our experience, developing sustainable events requires planning activities that will have impacts across 3 spheres:
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Attendees (social),
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Profits (economic), and
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Environment (planet).
Balancing these three areas not only improves the event experience, but also shows attendees the consistency and concern for collateral impacts on the planet.
How do you estimate the environmental impact of your events?
The first step to having a sustainable event is to quantify the environmental impact in a base year or moment, that is, the year that will hold the reference information to compare against future sustainable actions and demonstrate how many reductions we have achieved.
A comprehensive indicator that communicates impacts on soil, water, and air resources is the carbon footprint. Through the quantification of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change (carbon footprint), we record the quantities of waste generated that impact the soil, the wastewater that pollutes rivers, or the emissions from producing the paper used.
It’s important to record the impacts in the base or reference year, so that every sustainable action carried out can be counted as a reduction or avoided impact, that is, as a benefit for the environment. To learn more about how to estimate the carbon footprint, you can consult our post: Toward a sustainable future: why measuring the carbon footprint is important for companies
Best practices for developing sustainable events
Reusable decoration
When we talk about reusable decoration, we mean event decorations designed for multiple uses, rather than being discarded after the event.
Solar energy sources
Every event, especially the grand ones with flashing lights and booming music, can leave a substantial energy footprint. Traditional stages powered by non-renewable energy sources are not only an environmental concern, but also represent a missed opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.
Sustainable invitations or tickets
Eco-friendly invitations have come to the forefront of sustainable events, and it’s clear why: traditional paper invitations, despite their aesthetic charm, carry a high environmental cost. Many conventional printing methods use chemical-laden inks that, when discarded, release harmful substances into water and soil. On the market there are already biodegradable materials or materials with a lower carbon footprint that reduce the impact.
Selection of eco-friendly venues
Different event venues cast different ecological shadows; some may be luxurious palaces of excessive energy consumption, while others champion ecological principles. When selecting your next event space, consider the environmental implications, from the energy it consumes to the venue’s waste disposal, or the accessibility for attendees.
Use of seed paper
But perhaps the most charming thing about eco-friendly invitations is seed paper. Imagine an invitation that, after the event, becomes the birthplace of wildflowers, herbs, or trees. These invitations don’t end up as waste, but instead reintroduce life, adding a touch of green wonder to any garden.
Use of recycled paper
For those who still value the touch and feel of a physical invitation, don’t worry. Using post-consumer recycled paper or paper made from alternative fibers is an eco-friendly solution. This choice not only looks good, but actively reduces contributions to landfills, conserves precious energy, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
Virtual or hybrid events
Navigating the future of event planning has led to a digital revolution, significantly reducing our carbon footprint. By switching to virtual event platforms, we reduce the environmental impact of transportation and physical facilities.
Eco-friendly event kits
At its core, an eco-friendly event kit is a collection of sustainable items provided to attendees, ensuring that the event leaves a minimal ecological footprint. Forget single-use plastics; the trend now leans heavily toward materials that last.
Green transportation
Every mode of travel, whether by vehicle, plane, or train, leaves a carbon footprint, contributing to a significant portion of an event’s total emissions. In the pursuit of a sustainable event, understanding and reducing transportation-related emissions is paramount.
Water stations
No one can underestimate the importance of hydration, especially at events where attendees are engaged for extended periods. Historically, event organizers stockpiled single-use plastic water bottles to ensure guests stayed hydrated.
LED lighting
Lighting has undergone a transformative evolution in the events industry, moving from the flicker of candles and lanterns to the hum of fluorescent bulbs. Today, LED (light-emitting diode) technology shines brightest among the available options, rapidly gaining ground in the events space.
Carbon offsetting
At its core, carbon offsetting consists of balancing the carbon emissions you produce at the event by financing an equivalent saving of carbon dioxide elsewhere. Think of it as a balancing act for the environment.
Digital attendee registration
In the modern events landscape, the advent of digital registration has revolutionized the way we welcome attendees. Moving away from cumbersome manual processes, digital registration represents an error-free and eco-friendly method for recording and managing guest arrivals.
Low-carbon food and beverages
Our food choices resonate beyond our plates, deeply impacting the environment. Every bite we eat has a carbon footprint, rooted in its production, transportation, and preparation.
Local catering
When we talk about sustainable food, an important aspect is local sourcing, that is, food that is grown, harvested, or produced not far from where it will be consumed. This reduces the carbon footprint of the food we provide to attendees.
Composting stations
When we think of events, few consider the waste left behind, especially the organic matter that could have been transformed rather than discarded. This is where composting stations (which break down organic materials into nutrient-rich soil) shine in the world of sustainable events.
Set waste reduction goals
Events, large or small, have historically been synonymous with significant waste generation, from disposable cutlery to banners and flyers. But as we become more aware of our environmental responsibilities, the call to minimize event-related waste has never been stronger.
Recyclable event badges
In the bustling world of events, badges have become an integral tool of identity, traditionally made from materials such as plastic or laminates. However, after the event, many badges find their way to landfills, contributing to environmental degradation and amplifying the single-use plastics problem.
Digital feedback
In the age of technology, digital feedback has emerged as a functional and efficient tool in event management, revolutionizing the way organizers perceive and analyze attendee experiences.
Reusable tableware
In today’s environmentally conscious world, reusable tableware stands as a beacon for sustainable event planning. Unlike the short lifespan of single-use items, reusable tableware is designed to be used over and over again.
Use of natural lighting
Harnessing the radiant rays of the sun, natural lighting means using sunlight to illuminate indoor spaces. This simple yet transformative choice plays a crucial role in sustainable event planning.
Sustainable post-event cleanup
Often, as a result of event operations, the most significant ecological mark is the piles of waste that overshadow the other sustainability practices applied. Leaving waste behind or disposing of it incorrectly exacerbates the problems at landfills, contributes to pollution, and cancels out other sustainability initiatives.
Eco-friendly event merchandising
When we remember events, merchandising often stands out: t-shirts, caps, mugs, and other souvenirs. But these souvenirs, often mass-produced without considering environmental sustainability, can leave a considerable environmental impact. From the planning stage, merchandising should be chosen to cause the least possible environmental impact — for example, items that are useful to attendees and used more than once, avoiding plastic, designing tote bags that can be used outside the event, and so on.
Eco-friendly event branding
Event branding is not just about logos, colors, or themes; it’s an immersive experience that defines the essence of the organizers and the event, and communicates their values and pillars to attendees. Over time, there has been a significant shift in branding practices toward an approach that is conscious of environmental impacts.
Traditional branding materials, which often relied heavily on plastic banners, non-recyclable signage, and excess printed material, carried a considerable environmental cost. In contrast, sustainable event branding not only reduces these environmental impacts, but also brings with it a range of benefits.
When a brand chooses to present itself as environmentally responsible, it resonates with an audience increasingly concerned about sustainability. This not only improves the event’s public relations, but also instills a positive perception and a values-based image in the minds of attendees.
In this era, branding is not just about being seen; it’s about being recognized as a force for positive change.
Every small choice in organizing an event has repercussions for our planet. Event planning is the most important stage; from there we can design events that bring benefits to people, to the planet, and to organizers. Let’s make events a demonstration of corporate values and pillars, while achieving our internal objectives.
CarbonBox was born with the mission of supporting companies in creating solutions that reduce their environmental impact. Our technology enables companies and events to measure and reduce their carbon footprints easily, quickly, and affordably. Request a meeting to learn more about our services.