Hosting sustainable events and working on strategies to reduce the environmental impact of events is not just for the large multi-nationals anymore. In fact, you don’t need to have a huge budget to make your event “green”. A green event can save you money! Here are a few ways to run an environmentally friendly event, and spend less.

Cut down on paper
In a recent article, we discussed the advantages of email marketing. Well, we never mentioned how environmentally friendly it can be, no more paper invites. And with Qmeeto you can take advantage of online registration and check-in. Avoid giving handouts by focusing on PowerPoint presentations and emailing your attendees the slides. Cut down on paper and not forests. Where paper needs to be used, try to make sure it’s recycled.

A healthy event is a happy event
Serve up healthy food. Source your fruit, veg and meat locally and cut down on those nasty carbon emissions!  Not only will you be helping to protect the environment but you’ll be keeping your attendees healthy as well, and setting a great example in the process. Maybe you could help to spread your message by having a fun outdoor activity for your employees to take part in after the event ends.

Get there in ‘green’ style
Okay, not everybody is going to want to walk to your event (or swim if they happen to be coming from abroad) but encourage attendees to carpool and to use public transportation. If you have the time, organise for one bus to bring as many attendees as possible. Choose to hold your event close-by. While you’re at it, take a look and see which bus company is the greenest. As with the last tip, it all comes back to setting a good example!

Reduce, reuse and recycle, recycle, recycle
This ties back to the first point, but it isn’t just paper that can be recycled.  Have as many receptacles on-hand as possible for your attendees to dispose of their plastic bottles and other recyclable materials throughout the event. When arranging for the big post-event clean up, be sure to prioritise recycling. Try to reclaim any unused materials by having attendees put those things to one side after lunch or a meeting.

Eco-friendliness is becoming more and more important every year. People like to think that their investing in eco-friendly products and employees like to know they’re working for eco-friendly companies. There’s no better place to show off your greenness than at your next event!