Sustainable Event Planning

Local Organizations | National Resources | Journals & Publications | Conferences

Zero waste, carbon neutral meetings and events that utilize local resources

Sustainable meetings and events have triple bottom line benefits. Incorporating sustainable options when planning an event can save you money, reduce waste and conserve energy.

• Find companies to help your business implement sustainable practices on the E4S Sustainable B2B Directory.

National/International Resources:

• Green Meetings, developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency`s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing program, provides tips and information for conference planners and suppliers on ways to reduce the energy use, water use, and waste of a conference. The site provides easy-to-read charts and tables that list prevention strategies (ranked by degree of difficulty for event planning, accommodations, food service, and event space), checklists, and contact information for green-minded conference organizers. - GreenBiz.com

• Blue Green Meetings

• Sustainable Communities Network - "How to Plan a Sustainable Event"
  

Journals & Publications:

• Meetings.net - a collection of special reports on green meetings

Sustainable Event Checklist

Energy

• Consider proximity to public transport when selecting a venue
  
  
• Encourage carpooling, walking and biking
• www.erideshare.com
• www.icarpool.com
  
  
• Select local food, beverages, printing vendors to reduce the distance traveled to your event.
  
• E4S B2B Directory Food
• Local Food Cleveland
  
  
• Select an energy efficient facility. Green buildings use considerable less energy than conventional buildings. Green Buildings in Northeast Ohio
  

Waste and Recycling

• When selecting for a venue for your event, make sure the facilities provide recycling and/or compost bins.
  
  
• Consider using reusable plates, cutlery, glasses and coffee cups. Encourage attendees/employees to bring their own water/coffee mug.
  
  
• If it’s necessary to use disposable tableware consider using compostable products and make sure that after their usage they get to the appropriate composting receptacle.
• Nature Friendly Products
  
  
• Post clear signage for waste, recycling, composting areas, it is imperative for a successful  “waste-less” or “waste-free” event. In addition to signs, “recycling monitors” volunteers at the stations can help attendees dispose of the waste into correct bins.
  
  
• To reduce paper usage, program related materials can be distributed via email or website prior to the event. If printed materials are necessary print them on both side of the page and on the post-consumer recycled content paper.

• Reuse name-tags.
  

Food and Beverages

• Select a local caterer that can offer local / seasonal / organic food and beverage options. In the late fall and winter seasons in Northeast Ohio many breads and cheeses are locally available.
  
• E4S B2B Directory Food
• Local Food Cleveland
  
  
• If there is food left over from your event either compost it or give it to the local soup kitchen. Try to prevent ordering too much food by talking to your caterer about food quantities and approximate head counts.

Marketing

• If printed material is necessary, work with a graphic designer or the printer to create appropriate sizing for optimal paper usage at the press.
• E4S B2B Directory Printing
  

• Select Post Consumer Recycled Content paper and a local, sustainable printer.  If mailing the printed piece, remove duplications from the address list to reduce cost on postage
  

Goals
Zero Waste Event
(www.zerowasteneo.org/forum)

• Provide only Recyclable and Compostable materials
  
• Provide clear signage for disposing of recyclables and organic waste
• Market the event as a zero waste event and ask for attendees participation in achieving the goal.
  

Carbon Neutral Event

• Calculate carbon footprint for the event.  Purchase carbon credits from a local company
• Clean Air Conservancy
• Cleveland Carbon Fund