It's not easy being green--ummm...yes it is! Well, it can be easy if you employ these 10 tips to make your next event green. The best part is most of these ideas don't involve extra costs. What a great way to show your organization is not only responsible fiscally , but socially too!1. Put it in writing.
Establish an environmental statement or policy for the meeting, and get buy in for it from the all stakeholders. Share your policy with suppliers, attendees exhibitors, sponsors and speakers. You'll be amazed at how far they'll go to help you make your event Green.
2. Use paperless technology.
Use new media and electronic technology to cut down your paper use. Create a conference web site; offer electronic registration and confirmation; and advertise using the web and/or email.
3. Meet sensibly.
Reduce your carbon footprint. Choose a host city that's close to as many delegates as possible, and within the city choose a venue and hotel that are close to the airport and within walking distance of each other.
4. Practice the 3Rs.
Ask your hotel and meeting venue to provide visible and accessible reduction, reuse and recycling services for paper, metal, plastic and glass.
5. Bulk up.
Ask your food and beverage service provider to use bulk dispensers for water in the meeting rooms, sugar, salt, pepper, cream and other condiments.
6. Lighten your Stay.
Choose a hotel that offers a linen reuse program in its sleeping rooms and bulk dispensers for shampoos and soaps in guest suites.
7. Eat green.
Include vegetarian meals, and have meals planned using local, seasonal produce.
8. Close the recycling loop.
Consider having all printed materials published on recycled paper, using vegetable-based inks, and on both sides of the page.
9. Save energy.
Coordinate with the meeting venue to ensure that energy lights and air conditioning will be turned off when rooms are not in use.
10. Spread the word!
Tell attendees, speakers and the media about your success. You'll be surprised - Green efforts are contagious!
What are some ideas you have put to practice to make your meetings green?
