Hosting a corporate event has plenty of benefits for your company. However, on the other hand, such events also have plenty of drawbacks for the environment. Corporate events tend to be unsustainable and wasteful, being detrimental to our planet. As many companies worldwide are trying to be more sustainable and raise awareness, hosting unsustainable events goes against these policies. So, to reap all the benefits of hosting corporate events and minimize the environmental drawbacks, we have figured out the best practices for hosting eco-friendly corporate events.
You can start with invites – instead of traditional paper ones, you should send e-vites. Next, as events are often quite wasteful due to using single-use partyware, you should consider some better partyware options. When it comes to decor, it is also one of the wasteful aspects of hosting events, so you should definitely skip it and use something more sustainable. As far as the menu is concerned, you should be mindful when choosing it. And lastly, you should opt for more sustainable versions of goodie bags for your guests.
1. Send e-vites
Your eco-friendly corporate event starts way before the party – it starts from invitations. Sending out traditional invitations by post can be highly unsustainable. Paper creates waste and transportation emissions that pollute the air. It’s a great thing that we have other options to let people know about our event. For instance, you can use different platforms to create your invitations and send them online. This creates far less waste than the traditional invitation system. However, if you do wish to send a form of traditional invitations, there is an eco-friendly way to do that as well. In that case, you should opt for recycled paper and perhaps use a green mailing system. What’s more, there is an alternative even to send invitations on plantable paper! It contains seeds and it is completely biodegradable, which means that your guests can plant their invitation and get a plant or a herb.
2. Consdier the partyware
Whatever event you planning, there is always some partyware that you need. In the past, we were thrilled about using single-use partywares such as cups, plates, straws and other things. But, now that we are more eco-conscious, we want to make sure that the partyware we use is sustainable. Single-use plastic tableware is one of the greatest hazards to our environment, especially seas and oceans. Plenty of such waste ends up in the water. So, to be eco-friendlier, it’s best that you use reusable plates, glasses and silverware. Additionally, it is even more sustainable if you use a water-saving dishwasher for cleaning up. And if you want to avoid doing dishes, and still be eco-friendly, you can also opt for biodegradable single-use products, such as partyware made from bamboo or other plant-based materials. You can look for inspiration online.
3. Skip unsustainable decor
Events are great opportunities to use your creativity and imagination when it comes to decor. A decor is a powerful tool that sets the mood for your event. However, the problem with the usual decorations is the fact that they are highly unsustainable. Decors such as balloons, streamers and signs all end up in landfills after being used for one occasion. So, they are pretty wasteful. Your event should have decor – but you should be wise about it. What you can do is upcycle the things you already have. These can be glass bowls, vases, flower pots and other similar things that you can repurpose.
Moreover, you should avoid activities that are wasteful at your corporate events. What people in Australia often do for fun at events such as these, is go for a photo booth hire in Sydney. It is a great, eco-friendly activity that is going to amuse your guests. Your guests can make fun photos, which they can get on their phones.
4. Go for a mindful menu
The menu is an essential aspect of every event. It can often be more unsustainable than sustainable if you don’t pay attention to it. For instance, going for finger food is a more sustainable option than plated food, as it is often less wasteful. Then, you can serve food that is mostly plant-based and that is produced locally. You get healthy, mouthwatering food with low transportation costs. There are often some leftovers after big events such as corporate events. You should think about what to do with them. You can donate them to some soup kitchens or you can compost them.
5. Opt for sustainable goodie bags
It is often a practice to give goodie bags to all event attendees as a way to say thank you. However, in most cases, these goodie bags tend to be highly unsustainable as they contain plastic and paper we eventually throw out. You should consider how to thank your guests and be more sustainable at the same time. Start with the bag and go for a green option – opt for muslin, cotton or canvas. As far as bag contents are concerned, you can opt for homemade sweets, natural soaps and candles or something similar. Your guests will appreciate such presents. Additionally, they will reduce the carbon footprint of your event.
We can be eco-friendlier in all aspects of our lives, we just need to make an effort. You can find plenty of useful eco-friendly advice online.
