Even the most eco-conscious people often put their sustainability values on hold when planning corporate or social events.  This doesn’t have to be the case.  Here are some easy tips and resources for green event planning.

Getting Started

• Put together a planning committee and make sure everyone knows your green goals.
• Publicize your event as a sustainable event, ask people to bring their own reusable water bottles with them and not to drive to the event.
• Consult the national list of green hotels (greenhotels.com) and tell those who are traveling to your event about them.
• If you’re putting together a “goody bag,” make sure the bag itself is made of eco friendly material, and created in the USA.  Any items in the bag should be made in an eco conscious manner; useful and healthy.

Transportation

• Set up a car pooling option or list for your employees if the event is not on site.
• Encourage public transportation. Give prizes to the employees who traveled the farthest by bus or bike.
• Choose a venue that is easily accessible via buses or bikes.
• Call up a venue or location before hand and ask them what they’re doing to save energy and operate more sustainably.

Location, location, location

• Look for places that have recycling systems in place.
• Bonus points if they have a compost system.
• Ask them about the paper goods they use (better yet, request only reusable dishware).
• Request Green Seal Certified products only (www.greenseal.org )

Food

• Look for caterers who specialize in sustainable food.  Search for them at www.eatwellguide.org
• Talk to your caterer about your goals.
• Request local food and totally reusable dishware.
• Closely estimate how much food you’ll need and avoid excess.
• Use large containers for drinks, sugar, condiments and other food items rather than individual packets.

Operations

• Use electronic registration and media as much as possible.  Limit the number of brochures, pamphlets, folders etc you hand out.
• Use water-based, non-toxic markers and white boards for presentations.
• When you do print or give out material consider reusable, educational and local options first.
• Be true to the three R’s, reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Provide recycling bins all over the event.
• Require vendors to comply to your green guidelines.

This is just a short list of some of the possibilities.  As an event planner or leadership figure in your company, you can do plenty to promote sustainability at your event. Much like any successful event, green events require planning and foresight.  Just a few changes in the business-as-usual, highly wasteful corporate event can make a huge difference.  For more information about green event planning visit Meeting Planners International’s website.