Working sustainably is a goal for many business leaders in 2022, yet with all the other obstacles businesses have had to navigate in the last couple of years, it has been tough to keep the environment as a top priority. Creating and sticking to a company-wide environmental policy is a great start but creating that can be time consuming and needs complete company commitment. And so, what happens whilst we try to get these large policies off the ground is, nothing.
There are, however, smaller green wins that can add up in the meantime. Here, Liz Taylor, a corporate event planner of thirty years’ experience, gives us five easy stylishly uncomplicated ways to make your next meeting that little bit greener…
A REFRESHING CHANGE
Refreshments are a great place to start in creating environmentally friendly meetings. Bottled water is the first to go. Replace with small individual jugs of iced water and real glasses – it’s a much nicer experience.
Similarly, most meetings use disposable coffee cups which can affordably be replaced with reusable thermal versions. A nice takeaway for attendees, ensuring your brand and environmental reach goes further than the meeting.
And for the refreshment break activity – head outdoors. Not only will it boost event sustainability, but your attendees will also appreciate the change of scene. Cleaning up a local beach or planting trees in the venue grounds can be a creative, green networking and PR activity.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
For smaller meetings ask guests to pre-order their food, ensuring each has a meal that they will enjoy. Think about individual bento boxes. Fish and chips served in branded recycled cardboard boxes. Or mini-picnic hampers that can be taken home at the end of the day (choose a recycled cardboard version for a budget saver). In each case, just enough for one person. A real talking point. And further limiting food waste from larger sharing platters.
It is obvious that using local suppliers will cut down the carbon footprint, so work with your venue on the provenance of your lunch. The same rule applies to drink. If you are serving alcohol, consider serving a local brew or one of the high-quality English sparkling wines instead of Champagne. There really are some great choices now. Also think Fairtrade and champion plant-based or vegetarian choices to help reduce CO2 emissions derived from meat.
A CENTRAL SPACE
Importantly, this is all about reducing the travel time by individual cars. Make sure your venue is within easy walking distance for local guests. Or could guest speakers attend virtually? Can delegates car share or can you put on a green form of transport such as a biofuel shuttle bus from a central location?
We’ve event planned events that offer Segways, Tuk Tuks, London red bus (converted to biofuel) or bicycles as a mode of transfer from venue to train station. Greener. Fun. Memorable.
VENUE VIRTUES
When selecting a venue make sure it’s one that has its own environmental policy or carry a green award. Make these your preference. An easy win on your green checklist.
If your meeting has a large production, using renewable energy sources with an efficient production system can help cut power usage and minimise your footprint. To save power use, look at switching to LED lighting and lower power efficiency systems. This not only a terrific way to go green – but can save you money.
PURGE PLASTIC AND PAPER
Going digital is one of the easiest things you can do improve the environmental outcome of your meeting. Delegate briefings can be sent electronically ahead of the meeting. Ask people to bring their devices and take virtual notes and if there are any further materials that you’d like people to take away, make it available via an application such as Dropbox.
White boards, not flip charts. Online registration. Chalkboards or mirrors, not cardboard signage – looks fabulous and very eco-friendly. And place names, opt for reusable wooden blocks to infuse some fun.
Liz Taylor is founder and CEO of the event planners, the Taylor Lynn Corporation, and has been at the forefront of the UK event scene for over thirty years.
www.tlc-ltd.co.uk │ Twitter: @taylorlynncorp │ Instagram: @taylorlynncorp │ Facebook: @taylorlynncorporation
