10 tips for sustainable corporate events

Creating sustainable conferences, kick-offs and events is not just a trend, it is an important step towards reducing our impact on the environment. By being conscious of our actions, we can make events more sustainable while delivering a successful experience for participants.

Here are 10 tips for creating sustainable events that bring focus to conferences, kick-offs or parties:

1. Eat climate-smart
Choose locally produced and organic food and avoid food waste. Make use of leftover food. Try to serve portions so that you can plan food consumption better. At buffets, use small plates so that guests do not take too much food that is then thrown away. Or even there, serve and put appropriate portions on plates.

2. Green, local partners
We always want to highlight and collaborate with our local stars who are the best at offering the season's and region's finest ingredients. We work closely together and also discuss their sustainability efforts. Are their products organic, locally produced, and what fuel is used in their transportation?
So, the tip is to choose locally and choose those who can live up to your own sustainability goals.

3. Sustainable gifts
Does the customer want goodie bags? Choose environmentally friendly items such as locally produced treats or things they can use for a long time.

4. Include everyone
How can the event be made accessible to everyone, regardless of functional variation? What does representation look like in materials before and during the event? For example, are men and women given equal speaking time? Are people of different backgrounds and ages visible?

5. Waste sorting
Make it easy to sort waste and compost food waste. Ensure that there are clearly marked recycling stations on site where participants can sort waste themselves. Take advantage of deposit refunds and food waste.

6. Avoid disposable items
Hold paperless conferences. Use computers, mobile phones, and tablets instead of printing out lots of paper. Avoid disposable items and promotional products that are only used once.

7. Choose transportation from an environmental perspective
Cycle or walk if possible. Make transportation part of the experience by encouraging participants to walk or cycle. If the distance is a little longer, electric bikes are often an excellent and enjoyable alternative. For longer journeys, choose fossil-free fuel.

8. Raise awareness
Explain/show how this particular event is sustainable, and which solutions have been chosen from this perspective. Ask customers, suppliers, and visitors what is important to them and spark their interest in sustainability. Create ripples!

9. Sustainable health
Create a varied schedule that includes sufficient breaks. Include activities that allow participants to move around and change environment. Ask participants about their needs at the planning stage. 

10. Environmental certification
Choose facilities and suppliers that are environmentally certified, such as those with the Nordic Ecolabel. This guarantees that they operate sustainably.