lovesouthernsocial.com

Simple practices help companies reduce the environmental impacts of their events

Producing an event that is sustainable is one of the challenges that companies face. Whether at an internal meeting or during the organization of a fair or mega-event, it is necessary to be concerned about the unnecessary expenses generated by the waste of energy, water and fuel. Not to mention the garbage, perhaps the most tangible aspect on the path towards the realization of sustainable events.

The adoption of good environmental practices and the management of resources and waste help to reduce the costs of events and also bring sponsors, who have ever-increasing sustainability requirements, closer together. If your company is capable of producing sustainable events, it also demonstrates a commitment and associates your brand with environmental preservation and sustainable development.

A sustainable event must be thought of with this concern from the beginning. With the entire organization team engaged and informed to seek sustainability actions, consider organizing your event in a place that is easily accessible by public transport, with good natural lighting and efficient equipment for water and energy consumption.

When choosing suppliers, prefer those aligned with the same sustainable values ​​as your corporation. Make partnerships that value professionals, respect the environment and have ethical values ​​in everyday life.

During the event, make available CO2 calculators for the displacement of participants and then adopt environmental compensation measures to neutralize the carbon emitted.

Waste management is another key factor in organizing sustainable events. Since 2010, the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) requires that large waste generators, such as fairs, conventions, concerts and other events, send only what is considered waste to landfills. Limit the use of disposables and unnecessary gifts, prioritize recyclable materials for the production of any necessary item, carry out selective collection and sorting of recyclable material and, whenever possible, encourage the composting of food waste.

If you want to produce a sustainable event, it may be interesting to hire a sustainability consultancy that measures and provides the necessary attributes to minimize the negative impacts and maximize the positive impacts of your event.

The event Nespresso Summer Day , for example, was carried out with the support of the sustainability consultancy Eccaplan . Together, the two companies carried out the planning and selection of actions that would be relevant to reduce the event's environmental impact. The main idea was to make concrete to the participants how they could act in favor of the environment.

the event of Nespresso had educational actions, waste management, composting and carbon offsetting. Eccaplan's management ensured the holding of a sustainable event, which avoided sending 342 kg of recyclable or compostable material to the landfill, receiving Sou Residue Zero certification. The event was also awarded the Neutral Event Seal, thanks to actions to reduce, quantify and offset the 76,272 tons of CO2 emitted.

The results of the sustainable production of this event included more than 9,000 kg of neutralized carbon, support for the Ecomapuá socio-environmental project, more than 340 kg of reused material, income generation for employees and almost 100 kg of composted fruit peels.

Eccaplan has developed a guide to inspire event creators and producers to adopt sustainable practices. The material is based on the international event standard ISO 2012 and GRI EOSS reports (Global Reporting Initiative - Event Organizers Sector Supplement).

Check out the sustainability consultancy's tips for your upcoming events to be more sustainable:

1. Goals, communication and engagement

• Share with the other organizers your interest in applying sustainable actions in your event;
• Define main goals and actions that each one can take;
• Draw up a commitment and values ​​document.

2. Event venue and infrastructure

• Choose a location with easy access to public transport or create options for participants to go by van, bus, bicycle or ride;
• Prioritize a location that has an Environmental Policy, with good natural lighting and efficient water and energy consumption equipment;
• The place must allow adequate accessibility for people with disabilities.

3. Legal requirements

• Demand all relevant security reports and business licenses;
• Also check if labor, anti-discrimination and social items are met.

4. Suppliers and products

• When selecting suppliers, go beyond price and term evaluation, and also consider sustainability criteria.

5. Food and utensils

• Favor local, natural and seasonal foods;
• Evaluate alternatives to reduce waste and see options for donating leftover food;
• Opt for reusable utensils. Avoid using cups and disposable materials.

6. Transport

• Ensure that sustainable transport options are advertised on event materials, social media, website and apps;
• Encourage participants to know the environmental impact of their displacement by providing a CO2 emissions calculator.

7. Waste management

• Reduce waste generated by limiting the use of printed materials. Opt for recycled or renewable papers. banners and displays must be of reusable or recyclable materials;
• Separate waste at source, through selective collection and sorting of materials, and calculate the percentage of material that has been recycled and reused. When possible, encourage composting of food waste.

8. Quantification and compensation of CO2 emissions

• Know the environmental impact of your event by quantifying the CO2 emissions generated and evaluating alternatives to reduce them;
• Adopt an environmental compensation action to neutralize CO2 emissions by supporting existing and certified environmental projects.

9. Impact management

• Actions to promote local development, under the social, economic and environmental aspects must be considered;
• Evaluate the hiring of local suppliers, partnerships with recycling cooperatives, support for social, cultural and environmental projects developed where the event will take place.

10. Data reporting and transparency

• Make a report of the environmental actions applied to the event and their impacts;
• Share this report with all involved companies and guests.