Tag: eco friendly

Posted on

Eco-friendly event planning – sustainable solutions for corporates

Eco-friendly venues

Sustainability is no longer just a trend – it’s a necessity. As companies strive to reduce their environmental impact, corporate events offer a unique opportunity to showcase sustainability efforts.

Here are some sustainable solutions and important considerations for eco-friendly event planning.

Industry standards and accreditations

To ensure credibility in sustainability claims, many event companies seek out industry standards and certifications. Two key accreditations stand out in the events industry:

  • ISO 20121: This international standard focuses on sustainable event management systems. It helps organisations improve sustainability throughout the event life cycle – from sourcing materials and managing waste to reducing emissions.
  • ECOsmart: A certification tailored to the meetings and events industry by Greengage, ECOsmart helps event organisers implement sustainable practices across various areas, such as waste management, carbon reduction, and resource use. ECOsmart-certified venues and companies demonstrate a serious commitment to environmental and social sustainability.

Accreditations like these provide transparency and accountability, ensuring that sustainability initiatives are authentic and not mere “green-washing.” Beyond environmental impacts, however, companies need to expand their focus on the broader concept of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) sustainability.

This holistic approach ensures that social equity, diversity, and governance structures are integrated into event policies for long-term impact.

Key considerations for eco-friendly corporate events

When planning a sustainable corporate event, it’s essential to think beyond just the environment. Here are some considerations for a truly eco-friendly event:

Renewable energy

Leverage renewable energy sources to power your event. This can include solar-powered lighting or energy-efficient technologies. One of the most innovative solutions today is kinetic energy dance floors. These floors convert the movement of attendees into energy, which can power small devices like photo booths or phone charging stations, adding a fun yet functional twist to large-scale events.

Sustainable venue selection

Choosing a venue that prioritises sustainability is crucial. Look for venues that use renewable energy, have robust waste management systems, and are certified by organisations like ECOsmart. These venues often have eco-friendly infrastructure and policies in place, from efficient lighting to water conservation systems.

Waste management

Reduce, reuse, and recycle should be the mantra for any eco-conscious event. Implement waste segregation at the event, and work with vendors who use sustainable materials. Offering digital alternatives, such as electronic tickets and QR codes, can also help reduce paper waste.

Sustainable catering

Source locally-produced, organic food, and consider plant-based menu options. Reducing food miles and offering sustainable choices not only lower your carbon footprint but also support local communities. Ensure that any surplus food is donated to minimise waste.

Eco-friendly transport

Encourage attendees to use public transportation, carpool, or cycle to the event. For international attendees, work with carbon-offsetting programs to balance the environmental impact of flights. Providing shuttles that use electric or hybrid vehicles is another excellent step towards reducing emissions.

Giveaways and materials

Minimise the environmental impact of event materials by choosing eco-friendly swag and recycled products. Avoid plastic and focus on useful, sustainable items such as reusable water bottles, bamboo cutlery, or digital guides instead of printed programmes.

These considerations, combined with a dedication to transparent reporting and adherence to internationally recognised standards, will not only reduce the environmental footprint of corporate events but also build a positive reputation for businesses committed to true sustainability.

Industry checkpoint

Here are a few policies from venues and hotel groups that might help your decision making process:

Hilton

Hilton Hotels has an ESG Policy and report on previous years’ objectives. Highlights of their policy include integration of EDG across the whole company, strategic ESG objectives, and its Travel with Purpose 2030 framework.

Marriott

Marriott Hotel’s ESG Policy has more ambitious goals with six objectives relating to volunteering, carbon intensity and waste reduction to complete by 2025.

Wyboston Lakes Resort

Wyboston Lakes Resort is an environmentally-friendly venue with goals of being carbon neutral by 2040, ‘Room2Grow’ and ‘Zero to Landfill’ initiatives.

ICC Wales

The ICC Wales has won RICS Social Impact Awards 2020 and has objectives to communicate and train employees in sustainable practices, developing a positive culture towards sustainability, and engaging with the local community.

Ashorne Hill

Ashorne Hill has recently been accredited for its contributions to sustainable development. Some of the key initiatives implemented include an energy saving laundry system and minimising food waste; a ‘Too Good To Go’ food diversion scheme for staff members.

Silverstone

Silverstone has become the first motor racing venue to join the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action programme. The venue also signed joined hundreds of other venues across the world in signing the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge.

QHotels Collection

The QHotels Collection’s new sustainability programme focuses on three key areas: People, Places and Planet. To remain transparent and accountable, The QHotels Collection has made several sustainability promises, including establishing a sustainable procurement and purchasing policy.

Yorkshire Event Centre

Yorkshire Events Centre walks the sustainability walk with solar panels, pump house, efficient waste management, and a vast rural landscape where it supports local wildlife.

Our global destination knowledge

These diverse destinations reflect the incredible variety of event venues available across the globe. Each city offers its own unique atmosphere, and the venues we’ve selected showcase the best of what these destinations have to offer. Whether you’re looking for modern luxury, historical grandeur, or something truly unique, there’s a venue here for every event.

Are you ready to start searching for a sustainable venue for your next event? Start planning today see the amazing venues available through EDGE.

Register today for free access, or contact Scott or Kirsty to see how our platform can help your agency or business.

Posted on

Radisson Hotel Group driving plastic reduction

Radisson Hotel Group is launching a global roll-out plan of plastic reduction. This includes the introduction of bulk amenities in all hotels across the group’s portfolio by 2022.

Radisson Hotel Group will implement bulk amenity dispensers across all brands by the beginning of 2022, replacing small bottles for common bathroom products.

This action will remove 57 million miniature amenities from circulation, avoiding the use of almost 500 tons of plastic annually.

In addition, Radisson Hotel Group has a global commitment to #refusethestraw. This ensures plastic straws and plastic stirrers are no longer used in its hotels by 2021. Eco-friendly alternatives will be offered to guests upon request.

Federico González Tejera, chief executive, Radisson Hospitality, said: “Plastic pollution is one of the current major global issues and our Group is proud to play a leading role in driving plastic reduction across the travel and tourism industry.”

The group is running a series of innovative pilot projects aiming to find new ways to drive plastic reduction globally.

Find out more about the Radisson commitment here.

Posted on

Sustainability – how ‘green’ is your conference venue?

CSR is a hot topic at the moment and every day there’s something on the news about greater environmental responsibility. There’s a trend for sustainable venues to attract more business than those that haven’t incorporated new features and venues are now realising that the need to incorporate ‘green’ design in to their way of life, for example switching to LED lights, using water dispensers instead of bottles and cutting the plastic. For an event organiser, it is difficult to hold a sustainable event without the help of the venue and they are asking more questions about the venue’s recycling policy, disposal of food waste and sourcing of local products.

Check the standards

If you are looking for a venue that actively works toward sustainable practices, check whether it is LEED or ISO 20121 certified.

LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most frequently used organisation to certify the ecological sustainability of buildings.

ISO 20121 sets environmental guidelines and monitors compliance within the events industry.

Increasingly venues are taking the following steps to become more sustainable:

  • Using renewable energy to power buildings
  • Compensating for emissions with carbon offsetting
  • Using their roof to generate solar power
  • Installing a ‘green roof’ and install beehives
  • Harvesting rainwater and recycling grey water
  • New buildings sourcing local materials to reduce their carbon footprint

Transport

Transport accounts for a high percentage of an event’s CO2 emissions, but there are some steps you can take to reduce it.

  • See if electric or hydrogen-powered buses are available for moving delegates around
  • Use hotels and venues that are linked to public transport systems or are within walking distance of each other
  • There may be a discounted travel card which gives delegates use of the public transport system

Renewable energy

Solar power is one of the fastest growing forms of green energy and many venues have large roofs that can hold solar panels. As well as generating electricity, there are also systems for heating water by using solar systems.

A venue with ample natural daylight will use less power than one that needs lighting everywhere and is generally more pleasant for attendees.

Gardens and open spaces

Increasingly venues are using their rooftops and garden areas to grow their own produce for the kitchens. They can’t be completely self-sufficient but cultivating their own vegetables has started the process and more venues are now sourcing from local suppliers and reducing the environmental impact of food miles. Installing beehives gives the venue the option to supply local honey and encourage endangered bee populations.

Venues are also finding that planting a green roof can reduce the rooftop temperature and therefore reduce power used in air conditioning the building.

Reducing the use of water

Collecting rainwater collection and reusing waste water is frequently found in conference venues, whether that is for use on plants or to flush lavatories. Most venues now have sensors on taps to turn them off and limit the use of water.

Sustainable catering

You might have to use the venue’s caterer or may be able to use your own, but you can check the catering to avoid unnecessary waste and try to plan meals using seasonal local produce.

Fish and meat can be sourced from suppliers who use accreditation schemes, such as the Sustainable catering Marine Stewardship Council and Red Tractor Scheme in the UK. Fairtrade products, particularly drinks are also available.

Minimise individually packaged food and drink items – for example by providing milk or cream in jugs rather than individual plastic cartons, and use reusable crockery, glassware and cutlery. It is now possible to bottle water onsite and provide glasses, rather than using plastic bottles.

Many venues publish their environmental policies or are happy to make them available to event organisers. They will help clients, suppliers and partners to minimise the impact of their activities on the environment and follow sustainable practices.