Foreword:
More than 10% of global carbon emissions originate from the events industry. In 2023, 63% of respondents in our annual 2023 Outlook for Fundraisers and Events report expressed a desire to run sustainable events. As an all-in-one event and fundraising solution and online printing company, Eventgroove is committed to doing what we can to address climate change.
We wanted to learn more about our customers’ views and plans to run sustainable events in 2024. This prompted us to change tack. Instead of surveying our customers about the future of events, we decided to focus entirely on event sustainability.
Our report presents an up-to-date overview of how our customers perceive sustainability in the context of events. We also provide event planners with suggestions on incorporating sustainability and resources to learn more about this topic.
— The Eventgroove Team
Report Summary
Eventgroove conducted an online survey from December 2023 to February 2024 to gain insights into organizers’ thoughts, concerns, and decisions regarding sustainable events. The survey had 230 respondents from across the country, including for-profit event planners and individuals raising funds for charity, nonprofit, and membership organizations.
The results offer critical insight and perspective on sustainability and events in 2024, including:
- 67% of respondents consider event sustainability when planning events.
- The impact of event materials, supplies and waste are major concerns. In response, 45% of respondents offer reusable or compostable plates and cutlery, 44% work to reduce single-use plastics, and 48% choose recyclable paper for their printed materials.
- Emissions are something 68% of respondents consider when planning their events.
- 38% of respondents cited cost as their greatest obstacle to running sustainable events.
Event Sustainability Is Important
As an event organizer, you can only do so much to mitigate carbon emissions associated with your event. You can’t control how many people fly to attend your event or how much waste each attendee generates. However, over 67% of Eventgroove event planners agree that sustainability is important and should be considered when planning events.
As most of my events have at least a portion of activities that take place outdoors, the environmental impact is always part of my decision making. We try to keep the overall impact to a minimum, making sure that crowds are contained to the necessary areas and not to venture out of the designated space for the event. We try to use as much recyclable materials as possible, especially when it comes to food packaging. Providing separate receptacles for trash and recyclables – I find that given the option, people will ‘self police’ their waste and choose to recycle when given the option.”
-James A.
EVENT HIGHLIGHT
Eden Prairie Eco Expo | April 2024
Celebrate Earth Day with fun family activities and eco-friendly vendors to learn how you can live more sustainably and care for our environment.
Omicron–The Last Wave?
Across Eventgroove’s nonprofit, education, sports, music, film, and entertainment segments, everyone is excited to return to in-person events; there’s enormous pent-up demand and an unmatched sense of community and shared purpose. But many have also learned the value of reaching a wider audience through virtual events, and they’re eager to create hybrid events. That’s the future, in our view, and for hybrid to work, it has to be built on an integrated platform like Eventgroove
–Lance Trebesch, CEO of Eventgroove
Shorter, Smaller Events Are Better
As you’d expect, there seems to be a direct correlation between the number of event attendees and carbon emissions. Shorter events with fewer people will be friendlier to the environment than longer events with more people. Eventgroove customers tend to run single-day events with fewer than 500 people, which bodes well for general event sustainability.
The Thinking Around Emissions Sources
Event organizers using Eventgroove are already considering how to address the most significant contributors to carbon emissions, and tools are available to help you calculate your event’s impact. You can also purchase carbon offsets from platforms like Sustain.Life to mitigate your event’s emissions.
Many venues and food vendors have also started regarding the environmental impact of their services. When looking for an event venue, we suggest looking for one that is LEED® certified. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the world’s most widely used green building rating system.
Another step you can take is to work with vendors committed to sustainability, such as your event ticketing platform, printing services company, rental provider, and entertainment. Though each can make a difference individually, the impact becomes greater when collaborating with a team that is aligned with your sustainability goals.
When you incorporate sustainability aspects into your event, inform your attendees via social media posts, your website, and announcements at the event. Sustainability is not only socially responsible but also popular, and being transparent about it will positively impact your event and your brand.
A great example of how an organization showcases event sustainability comes from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, an Eventgroove customer, at its annual conference.
Primary Concerns: Waste & Materials
Of Eventgroove’s survey respondents, the majority cited concerns about the environmental impact of event materials and supplies as well as waste at their events. Our article How to Organize Attendees and Reduce Waste has some helpful tips on how to address both issues.
Five ideas to address both these concerns:
- Ditch plastic water bottles. Encourage attendees to bring their own water bottles, and provide taps for them to fill up. Offer branded reusable bottles or glasses for purchase for folks who may have forgotten their own.
- Use cloth table cloths instead of plastic ones
- Use compostable plates
- Choose finger food over food that requires utensils
- Provide recycling or composting services (or ensure your venue does!)
Organizers Are Already Taking Positive Steps
In general, survey respondents have taken numerous steps to minimize the environmental impact of their events. In addition to those listed above, they mentioned composting, reducing shipping, and bringing their own plates and cutlery.
EVENT HIGHLIGHT
Cincinnati Earth Day | April 2024
A community event for not-for-profit organizations, businesses, government agencies, and individuals from the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Tri-State region who work cooperatively and actively to promote the beauty and environmental quality of the Tri-State area.
Obstacles To Sustainability
We understand that hosting an environmentally conscious event requires more thought and effort. According to survey respondents, 38% noted that increased cost is one of the most significant obstacles. There were a few other obstacles mentioned. Travel to the event can impact the environment, and it’s not always easy to offer shuttle services. Additionally, event venues sometimes hold all the power, controlling the food, materials, energy output, and waste. Location is also a factor—organizers hosting an event in a rural location don’t always have the option of buying locally.
“It’s hard to fully coordinate with a venue for sustainable practices, but we try to reduce waste on our side. For example, physical materials that often get thrown away right after the event, reducing one time use items, etc.”
Thomas S.
What About Food?
A significant number of respondents mentioned that they make an effort to use local ingredients for food at their events and opt for reusable or compostable plates and cutlery. The most frequent “other” response cited vendors as barriers to implementing sustainable food practices at their events.
EVENT HIGHLIGHT
AZA 2024 Conference | Sept 2024
AZA is committed to using as many environmentally responsible practices as possible and feasible for the Annual Conference. The below measures are in place and AZA is committed to carrying out these practices and encouraging all participants and attendees of the conference to do the same.
Resources
We want to help provide resources for more sustainable events. So, we asked what resources would be helpful. The two essential resources respondents requested were a list of common unsustainable practices in events and a directory of sustainable vendors. One of the better resources we have found to help assess event sustainability is Sustain.Life. They offer an event checklist, an emissions calculator, and easy methods to purchase carbon offsets for your event.
Blog posts around event sustainability:
Another great resource may be your local county or town government. For example:
- The city of Eugene, Oregon’s Water Station Project enables organizers planning events for the public to reserve free water bottle stations.
- Lane County, Oregon offers a series of sustainable event services, including durable dishware and water stations.
- Charleston, SC, offers free water refill stations, and Keep Charleston Beautiful offers an on-site waste sorting station with staff that will help your guests sort their waste.
- Wake County, NC, has an event recycling and bin loan program.
- You can reserve compost bins for events in Nashville, TN.
You can reserve free recycling and organics recycling containers, signs, and bags in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Conclusion
Many event and fundraiser organizers are increasingly concerned about their events’ environmental impact. Despite prioritizing sustainable practices—including minimizing single-use plastics, printing on recycled paper, and using recyclable event materials—certain factors are beyond an organizer’s control. For example, attendee travel and lodging can significantly impact the environment, as can a venue’s policies.
One of the bigger challenges event and fundraiser organizers face is the cost of planning sustainable events. While many are committed to sustainability, financial success is still a top priority. To create environmentally friendly, cost-effective events, organizers can utilize innovative solutions and local resources. As planners continue to prioritize sustainability, eco-friendly events will become the norm, promoting cost-efficiency and benefiting the planet.
About Eventgroove
Eventgroove is the premier all-in-one solution for managing events and fundraisers. Customers can manage simple ticketing and donation pages, complex multi-location events, and fundraising campaigns with ecommerce storefronts. Eventgroove’s integrated printing services enable customers to seamlessly order custom-printed event products, including tickets, posters, invitations, and merch.
Based in Bozeman, Montana, Eventgroove prioritizes sustainability and conservation. The company is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) certified, and its production runs on 100% wind energy. In addition, since 2007, Eventgroove has donated 42% of net profits to conservation organizations that protect habitats and keep carbon in the ground. Eventgroove serves over 78,000 customers across the nonprofit, entertainment, education, sports, faith, and civic sectors. Eventgroove operates in the US, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
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