by Heather Myklegard on
We all want to do our part and help to protect the environment. One way you can do that is by eliminating waste at your next big event. Here are 8 tips on how you can host a “green” conference. This will not only help the planet, but it will also help your wallet!
Digital Goody Bag: Instead of handing your attendees a bag full of paper that they may or may not read, think about sending everything to them prior to the conference in an e-mail. This will give attendees the opportunity to print what they are interested in–saving you time and money. It might also save a tree or two.
China Over Styrofoam: Instead of styrofoam coffee cups, bring out the old china. Using china cups and saucers may seem a bit old-school, but it will save you money on purchasing hundreds of cups. It will also reduce waste.
Skip the Bottled Water: Offer large water jugs everywhere, and consider sponsored reusable water bottles that attendees can take with them. Water pitchers and glasses at each table also helps.
Thumb Drives with Presentations: Much like the digital goody bag, offer to put all of the presentations they are going to see today on a thumbdrive. This can be purchased at the end of the event or given out as a souvenir. This eliminates unwanted paper that usualy gets thrown away.
Recycling Bins Next to Garbage Cans: Make recycling easy for your attendees. Ask your venue to help by supplying recycling bins next to every garbage can.
Publish a Digital Agenda: Most attendees carry smartphones or tablets, and they love using them. By publishing a mobile-enabled online schedule of your event, your attendees not only get a richer experience but you also save a ton of paper. BusyConf can help you publish a modern online schedule easily.
Ask Your Attendees to Do Their Part: Let attendees know this is an energy concious event, and ask them to pitch in. Recycle that soda can. If printing out slides, ask them to print front and back and multiple slides per page.
Reuse the Name Badge Sleeves: Much like runners returning their time chip at the end of a race, attendees can return their plastic name badge sleeves and lanyards at the end of your event. With a conference of 1300 or more people, saving a name badge can save over $1,000!
These are just a few ideas on how to have less waste at your next big event. Not everyone will be on board, and you are sure to get some push-back. There will be complaints about not having bottled water or a printed slides. Simply smile, and thank them for their suggestions. There is no way to make everyone happy, but you know that you took a few simple steps to not only save some money but also help protect our environment.
