More and more people are making more conscious choices when it comes to sustainability. They prefer green alternatives in order to contribute to a better world. The events industry has not been idle when it comes to sustainability either. More and more events are becoming sustainable, which is a good thing, because the demand for green events is growing!
More and more event planners and entrepreneurs are pooling innovative ideas to organize circular events. From green energy and vegan food trucks to recycling: the possibilities are endless. We'd like to give you some inspiration with these 4 tips to organize your next event in a more sustainable way!
1. Think circular & prevent waste
There are 5 ways to reduce your waste production and make more sustainable choices. These are indicated by the 5 Rs, namely: refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot. This gives you a good guideline when organizing your sustainable event. Evaluate any unnecessary products and materials and see how you can omit, reduce, and/or reuse them.
2. Choose a sustainable event location
As an event organizer, you can contribute by choosing a sustainable event location. For example, you can look at the type of location and the materials used: is it energy efficient, are second-hand and/or sustainable materials used? Is waste separated? It is also important to know whether the location is easily accessible by public transport in order to reduce the use of cars.
SugarFactory, for example, is an event location that was formerly a sugar factory. This fine example of industrial heritage has been transformed into a popular location for versatile events, with as many materials as possible being reused. SugarFactory also has a train station right on its doorstep, with direct connections between Amsterdam and Haarlem.
3. Make a difference with catering
Food makes an impact! Both on visitors and on the environment. More than half of the Dutch population are flexitarians. They consciously make sustainable and healthy food choices. Did you know that it takes no less than 15,500 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of beef? So it's a logical and responsible step to offer alternative options. We are seeing more and more vegetarian and vegan creations, but insects are also 'in vogue'.
They are also increasingly opting for local products to reduce their carbon footprint. At SugarFactory, we like to work with preferred suppliers such as caterers Hete Peper and Mood4Food, who are committed to working as locally and sustainably as possible. This means not only paying attention to the food itself, but also to a 'no– or low-waste' purchasing policy and waste separation.
From 2024, it will no longer be permitted to use disposable cups and cutlery. We are already seeing events opting more often for returnable cups or glass. And what about this playful solution – as seen on the Playground project – which also looks cool with recycled soda cans? Creative and circular!
Photo credits: Floris Heuer
4. Choose your sustainable goodies wisely
A nice souvenir of the event often results in a goodie bag. Often, these are hardly used afterwards. That's a shame and such a waste of goodies! Do you still want to go for a goodie bag? Then think about the quality, sustainability, and usability of the items. With this approach, there's a good chance that it will not only be well received, but also last a long time. And remember: less is more.
The possibilities at SugarFactory
Would you also like to organize a sustainable event? Good news: as you just read, there are many aspects of an event that you can make more sustainable with simple steps. From catering and goodies to location. At SugarCity events, we also attach great importance to making sustainable choices. For example, we recently underwent a renovation to better regulate the heat in the factory in order to save energy. Are you curious about what else our event location has to offer? Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation consultation to discuss the possibilities.
