The latest trend in event
planning is how to make your events more environmentally responsible, but it
has still not caught on as quickly as in other businesses, and many event
organisers are still unaware of the ever-increasing need to make their events
more energy efficient.
In order to achieve green events,
organisers and designers will need to embrace new ideas. Events are not solely
about the finances anymore. Key areas to target include travel, energy
consumption, waste and recycling, and communication.
Let’s take the Glastonbury
Festival in the UK as an example. They are tackling environmental
responsibility with various schemes about green awareness, which is perfect for
laying the foundation for their guests to take action. They have also implemented
initiatives such as onsite composting, recycling (see above image), and water
reservoirs, promoting public transport, and using solar energy where possible. The
Glastonbury Festival also tackled transport. They set out to get a third of
their attendees to attend via coach and train, and also promoted lift share and
cycling, which significantly reduced the festivals carbon footprint.
That specific example does not
translate so well to indoor events and gigs, but it sets a foundation as to
what can be achieved when responsible action is taken. From a lighting perspective,
things such as changing inefficient fluorescent tubes and show lighting to
low-wattage LEDs and ensuring that lighting is turned off between rig-checking
and show time are good ways to begin. Here are our top tips for making green
events:
Recycle – Install recycling bins next
to your trash. Event companies can use huge amounts of paper, whether it is
answer sheets or invitations or pamphlets, if they are no longer needed, put
them in the recycle bin, not the trash.
Use Technology – Try to make your
communication with guests and clients as digital as possible. Everyone is
connected these days, so there really is no need being old-fashioned and using
needless amounts of paper.
Transportation – Less vehicles on the
road is always a good thing, and you can help by providing your attendees with
a green transportation option: think shuttle bus to/from the venue from the
airport or hotel, etc. You can get creative here.
Outdoor Events
This isn't always viable,
but the truth is that venues waste a huge amount of energy on heating and/or
air conditioning. If you are committed to creating responsible events, limit
the amount of energy you are using on providing indoor comfort by offering an
outdoor option, which requires neither heating nor air conditioning. Most
technologies are wireless nowadays, so there really is no excuse for not
holding events outdoors, and depending on the weather, you (and your guests)
will appreciate it.
How do you make your events more green?
Feel free to comment below!
Astera LED Technology
No comments:
Post a Comment