The Event of Tomorrow Will Be More Responsible

Refuse, Reduce, Reuse

When we talk about sustainable development, waste reduction is often the first thing that comes to mind. In the events industry, waste management is a major concern for anyone aiming to make their events more sustainable. Many frameworks recommend applying the “3Rs” rule: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse.

• Refuse: means challenging habits and questioning the usefulness or positive impact of each aspect of your event. What is the real value of giving away branded goodies? Do they reinforce your message? Is it necessary to work with a service provider located hundreds of kilometres away? Isn’t there a closer alternative?
• Reduce: involves thorough work, starting with plastic packaging (which, unfortunately, has returned due to pandemic-related health measures). Choose caterers who have signed IMS’s Zero Single-Use Plastic charter and are committed to a true “zero plastic” approach. Reduction also applies to other areas, such as printed materials. Consider displaying your content on screens instead of printing programmes that will inevitably end up in the trash. And don’t forget waste sorting, which is often overlooked in the events sector.
• Reuse: is the key principle of the circular economy: nothing is lost, everything is transformed. For recurring events, remember that signage can be reused for several years. Also, choose renting over building. As for catering—which is often the main source of waste—consider donating leftovers to local charities.

_{Reducing CO₂ Emissions}

Following the Paris Agreement, Europe aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. There are several approaches to this goal:

• Reduce emissions by managing your activity and its impact
• Reduce others’ emissions through the products and services you offer
• Offset your own emissions

In the context of event planning, this translates into several concrete actions:

• Choose a central location: To limit the carbon footprint of participants, select venues easily accessible by public transport and clearly communicate this information;
• Limit the number of attendees: Alongside venue choice, invite only those nearby and offer a digital option for others to reduce emissions while maintaining impact;
• Buy local: While this often refers to catering, it’s important to work with local suppliers across all areas of the event. For food, promote vegetarian options, seasonal ingredients, and local produce;
• Offset emissions: Partner with associations like myclimate to offset your event’s CO₂ emissions.

Finally, seek expert guidance. Only through skilled project management by an event professional can you effectively integrate CSR considerations and choose the most efficient paths to improving your event’s sustainability.