Whether in a private setting at a green wedding or in a professional context – sustainable events are becoming increasingly popular, including here at Henslerhof. However, there are many elements of an event that you can approach with greater awareness. We have therefore compiled a brief overview presenting actionable measures. Enjoy reading!
Objectives for Sustainable Events
Setting objectives for environmentally conscious events is crucial to maintain a clear focus on sustainability and implement concrete measures to reduce the ecological footprint.
What is particularly important to you? Feel free to write a list of three to five points you want to focus on during planning. Here are some examples that might inspire you:
- Supporting local businesses
- Utilizing local resources
- Providing sustainable transportation options
- Integrating social responsibility
- Keeping the carbon footprint low
Our Tips for Sustainable Events
Now that you have set your objectives, you can tackle concrete measures. Feel free to follow our tips as a guide. We hope to be of assistance!
Tip 1: Choose Local Suppliers and Products
An event typically includes a good buffet and a wide selection of beverages. This does not necessarily have to change just because you want to celebrate more sustainably. Specifically seek out caterers in your immediate vicinity who source their food from local farms and businesses.
You can also be creative and local with beverages. There are certainly wineries or breweries near you that can support you. Do not just look at the big names, but also explore offers from smaller businesses.
Through the conscious choice of local suppliers and products, you can not only achieve ecological benefits, but also exert a positive social and economic influence on the local community.
Our advice: Ask the owners of the event venue where you want to celebrate for local contacts. They are often well connected in their area and can help you!
Good to Know:
It is common for food and opened bottles to remain at the end of an event that cannot be used further. Clarify with your caterers, ideally when making your inquiry, whether they can pack up any leftovers for you. You can then use these privately and they will not end up in the trash.
Alternatively, you can of course also inquire about your caterers’ practices for handling leftovers.
Tip 2: Select Environmentally Friendly Venues
Choosing an environmentally friendly venue is crucial to ensure that your event is sustainable. Here are some tips on how to select an environmentally friendly venue:
- Local Partnerships: Whether decoration, food, or entertainment – a local option is usually also the most environmentally friendly choice. Check whether your event venue can connect with service providers who value the environment.
- Waste Management: Inquire about the venue’s waste management practices. An effective recycling system and the reduction of single-use products are important factors here.
- Transportation Options: An environmentally friendly venue should be easily accessible by public transportation or able to organize transport for your group.
- Access to Renewable Energy: Inquire whether the venue promotes access to renewable energy, such as solar or wind power. This can help minimize the event’s carbon footprint.
- Transparent Communication: Ensure that the venue communicates transparently about its environmentally friendly efforts. This can be done through information on the website or through direct inquiries.
Selecting an environmentally friendly venue is a significant step to ensure that your event is conducted sustainably and responsibly.
Tip 3: Choose Sustainable Decoration
Choosing sustainable decorations significantly contributes to minimizing the environmental impact of your event. Here are some tips for selecting sustainable decorations:
- Reusable Decorations: Use decorative elements that can be reused to reduce waste. This could include everything from banner fabrics to tablecloths to decorative lights.
- Recycled Materials: Opt for decorations made from recycled materials. Upcycling existing items or using recycled paper and cardboard for decoration purposes are good options.
- Biodegradable Decorations: Choose decorations that are biodegradable. This applies especially to disposable items such as garlands, confetti, or balloons. There are now biodegradable alternatives for many decoration items. Local and seasonal flowers and decorative elements are of course always a good choice.
- DIY Decorations: DIY decorations (Do It Yourself) not only promote creativity but also reduce the need for industrially manufactured decoration items.
Selecting sustainable decorations can not only reduce the environmental impact of your event but also create a more conscious and environmentally friendly atmosphere.
Tip 4: Promote Transportation Options
Promoting environmentally friendly transportation options is an important step to minimize the ecological impact of your event. Here are some tips on how to implement this concretely:
- Public Transportation: Inform participants about the availability of public transportation and encourage them to use buses, trains, or trams to reach the venue. Many trade fairs and stadiums have been using this measure for a long time.
- Promote Carpooling: Provide information and resources so that participants can form carpools. This can include the use of carpool apps or the organization of ridesharing.
- Support Electric Vehicles: If there are charging stations for electric vehicles, mention this in the invitation and encourage participants to use environmentally friendly means of transportation such as electric cars or e-scooters.
- Organize Shuttle Service: If the venue is remote, organize a shuttle service that offers environmentally friendly transportation options. This could include, for example, buses with low energy consumption or electric shuttles.
Promoting environmentally friendly transportation options not only contributes to reducing the carbon footprint but can also strengthen awareness of sustainable practices.
Tip 5: Choose Ethical Gifts
Choosing ethical gifts for organizers and guests is a wonderful way to promote responsibility and sustainability. Here are some ideas for ethical gifts for both groups:
Sustainable Gifts for Organizers
- Plants and Flowers: Give houseplants or garden plants such as fruit trees as a thank you. Bee-friendly shrubs and flowers are also popular. Or how about an insect hotel? It is best to inquire at your local garden center.
- Fair Trade Coffee or Tea Sets: Give fair trade coffee or tea in sustainable packaging together with an environmentally friendly coffee cup or teapot.
- Donations in the Name of the Organizers: Consider making a donation to a charitable organization or nonprofit initiative in the name of the organizers. This can be a meaningful gesture that extends beyond the day of the event.
- Useful Items That Bring Long-Lasting Joy: Almost everyone knows the feeling when gifts are given that mainly become dust collectors. As an organizer, consider sharing a list of your wishes. Your guests can then join together and buy you items that truly bring you joy!
Also think about sustainable packaging. One gift may not make a huge difference, but if a hundred guests give the hosts something, a large amount of waste accumulates!
Sustainable Gifts for Guests
- Local Products or Foods: Give local products such as regional delicacies, handmade soaps, or local specialties as guest gifts. This supports local producers and avoids long transportation routes.
- Sustainable Beauty or Care Products: Put together gift sets with environmentally friendly beauty or care products that are free of harmful chemicals and come in recyclable packaging.
- Plants or Seeds: Give small plants or seeds that guests can plant themselves. This symbolizes growth and sustainability.
- Donation Options: Set up a donation box and inform guests that instead of guest gifts, donations will be collected for a selected charitable organization.
Selecting ethical gifts for organizers and guests can help create a sustainable and conscious atmosphere and emphasize the importance of environmental friendliness.
Conclusion: Sustainable Events Are More Than Just a Trend!
Sustainable events are shaping the future of the event industry. In a private context, you can personally have a positive impact on the local economy when you choose sustainable options. As a company, you have the opportunity to connect your corporate events with sustainable objectives in everyday business.
Remember: Environmental friendliness in the area of events means not only lower CO2 emissions, but also support for small and local businesses in your area!
