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 in portions so you can plan your food consumption better. For buffets, use small plates so guests don't take too much food and throw it away. Or even there, serve and portion out the food on plates.

2. Green, local partners
We always want to highlight and collaborate with our local stars who are best at offering the best seasonal and local ingredients. We work closely together and also talk about their sustainability work. Are their goods organic, locally produced, 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 eco-friendly items such as locally produced goodies or items they can use for a long time.

4. include everyone
How is the event made accessible to everyone regardless of disability? What is the representation in materials before and during the event? For example, are men and women given equal speaking time? Are people of different origins and ages visible?

5. Recycle
Make it easy to recycle and compost food waste. Make sure there are clearly labeled recycling stations on site where participants can sort for themselves. Make use of deposits and food waste.

6. avoid disposable items
Go paperless in conferences. Use computers, mobiles and tablets instead of printing a lot 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 activating participants on foot or by bike, if it is a little longer, electric bikes are often available as an excellent fun alternative. For longer transportation choose fossil-free fuel.

8. Create awareness
Tell/show how this particular event is sustainable, what solutions have been chosen from this particular perspective. Ask customers, suppliers and visitors what is important to them and arouse their interest in sustainability. Create a ripple effect!

9. Sustainable health
Create a varied schedule that includes sufficient breaks. Include activities where participants can move around and change their environment. Ask for participants' needs already in the planning stage. 

10. Environmental certification
Choose facilities and suppliers that are environmentally certified, such as the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. Then you have a guarantee that they work sustainably.