Sustainability and the circular economy are, and will be, the key to all upcoming and future events.
The events industry is a driving force for many economies, therefore it is essential to aim for awareness and common commitment to reduce the impact it has on the environment and - why not? - sometimes lead the way in adopting good practice.
All events, of every type and importance, generate environmental impacts proportional to the size of the event itself. Just think of the number of individual vehicles of the participants who move en masse towards the place of the event, the environmental and light pollution generated, the emissions related to logistics, the waste of foodstuffs, incorrect waste management, etc.
There are several phases in which to intervene which, if identified and correctly managed, can make an event more sustainable.
We have therefore attempted to summarize them below.
Location selection
The choice of location represents the first step, which is very important because it determines the connection between the event and the area that surrounds it.
Making the right choice is difficult, because very often structural changes cannot be made in relation to the improvement/adaptation of the systems (for example: public or rented buildings). Also think about how your guests will have to reach the location: the solution is sustainable and green mobility. Suggest that visitors reach your event using non-polluting means such as bicycles, scooters, electric cars, carpooling, etc., encourage those who decide to use eco-sustainable means by offering various discounts, promotions or discounts. By not offering free parking, you will discourage those who had thought of reaching the event by car, favoring ecological alternatives.
Energy consumption
Favoring plants that use clean energy, from renewable sources, is an excellent strength and starting point for savings in terms of emissions.
Try to make sure that any waste of electricity, lighting, water and gas is reduced as much as possible, plan for water recycling systems, when possible make sure that the energy suppliers you are going to use use sources renewable.
The choice of sustainable structures can also make a difference. Why not opt for a solution equipped with photovoltaic panels that make up for the necessary energy? Or for thermally insulated locations that prevent the dispersion of heating in winter, and cooling in summer.
Waste disposal
Waste management requires a lot of work in terms of organizing the event. Coordinating the various bodies that manage the collection, and the employees, ensures that the participants know how to dispose of waste correctly and adequately.
First of all, you can think of putting the accent on the subject, making guests more aware by instructing them about a more correct differentiation. How?
Insert some short tips during their visitor journey: if they have a paper ticket, make sure there is a small footnote on the back. If, on the other hand, they use their device, use the pop-up notifications to remind them, as if they used the free wi-fi of the structure, or if they surfed on an app-platform during the event.
Do not forget to indicate on the maps, virtual and otherwise, the differentiated collection points, facilitating the journey of the participants as much as possible.
Catering and restaurant
Food is often an indispensable component during events, therefore it has a great impact on the ecology of the sector.
The supply of food and drinks should be managed responsibly, avoiding that large quantities of goods remain unsold; a virtuous circle could also be established whereby food that is not purchased can be donated to associations or organizations.
Given the very short life cycle that containers, cutlery, napkins and glasses have in the context of events, it would be advisable for them to be compostable, in order to minimize their impact on the environment.
To avoid producing excessive quantities of plastic waste, it would be ideal to prefer the installation of drinking fountains in various areas of the event, so that visitors can help themselves, using their own water bottles. And for drinks? Glass and aluminum are infinitely recyclable, so it could be an optimal solution to allow the sale of only glass cans or bottles, avoiding plastic ones altogether.
Shared responsibility
Sharing with your suppliers the choice and use of the materials to be used for setting up a sustainable location. Avoid large clusters of paper, such as flyers to distribute or laminated tickets, and prefer reusable staging and props. If you plan to distribute gadgets to visitors, you might think about replacing them by opting for exclusive or personalized services - a gimmick that will also allow you to track the post-event activity of your attendees, as opposed to any expensive and perhaps not even useful physical gadget. for those who received it.
These suggestions may be useful for organizing your events in an ecological and respectful perspective, and it is equally true that innovation and technology are constantly looking for new solutions in this direction.
For those who have some difficulty in keeping all these aspects under control, the ideal could be to rely on a Responsible for Sustainability of the Event, a figure dedicated to these issues.
At the same time, it is very important to encourage guests to follow certain behaviors and be respectful of the environment: this discourse should not be limited only to your event, your staff and your participants, but become a real goal to convey to the generations of today and future.
