Events are close to our hearts at Lyyti, but so is the environment. Have you given any thought to what your events do to their surroundings? In this blog, we give you simple tips on how you can reduce the stress on the environment in your event activity.
Use fewer materials and recycle
If you attend events or trade fairs frequently, you might have old badges, flyers, pens, lanyards, and other unnecessary merchandise lying around, which you eventually throw in the trash. In these cases, the event organiser should always take responsibility for what’s going to happen to the materials that have been handed out. Consider this: is there going to be a need for a lanyard with your organisation’s brand printed on it in the future, or will it just end up in the trash with the rest of the stuff?
We advise every event organiser to seriously consider the materials they use and also if they can be reused at other events. This will save both money and the environment. E.g. badges and passes can be a fun thing to save from an event, but if left with the participant, they’re rarely reused. This is why Lyyti has implemented reusable plastic passes, that we collect from the participants after our events. This way the passes can be used over and over again, simply by changing the name stickers.
Minimise no-show
Excess amounts of food and other materials are a direct consequence of no-show. Especially food waste poses significant and completely needless stress on the environment and this is why it should be avoided by any means possible. Therefore, when you offer the participant the possibility to cancel their participation if need be, you’re also able to optimise the amount of catering and other materials.
Break old habits and try something new
Printed programs, flyers, and other hand-outs can be replaced with digital solutions; these materials are so much easier to store and view on a smartphone than they are tucked away in some back pocket. Various announcements and timetables can also replace printed materials during the event if you choose to show them on-screen instead. You should also consider if disposable props, such as balloons, ornaments, and confetti could be replaced with e.g. lights, sound, or other elements, that don’t leave heaps of trash behind. The sky is the limit here!
Location, location, location
A single event can gather thousands of people from near and far to the same site, and every participant needs some sort of transport to get there. A site that can be reached by public transport will encourage people to choose that option instead of taking their car. The ability to use public transportation can also make a significant impact on the participant’s choice to attend; if reaching the location requires several changes or a car, it’s very easy for them to decide they can do something better with their time. One of the organiser’s responsibilities is to encourage the participants to use public transport and it’s very important to communicate these possibilities in the invitation and the confirmation messages.
Short checklist:
- Think about which materials are necessary for the event – will they bring any added value?
- Reuse and recycle left-over materials
- Minimise no-show
- Pick a location that that can be reached with public transport
Free report - The Future of Events and Event Management Software
New event type for Lyyti Event Success Platform
Small and local events – who they are for and why you should have them
Rewriting the rulebook on events and event management software - the launch of Lyyti Next Gen
