Thinking about the sustainability of your event during the planning process can make a big difference to the impact it has on the environment.

This guide explains how you can incorporate sustainable practices into your events for the benefit of people and the planet.

Food and drink

When placing food and drink orders for your event, make an accurate calculation of the quantity you need. Check how many people have RSVP’d and prepare for some no-shows.

It’s also important to think about the type of food and drink you offer. Could you order products that are plant-based, and locally and seasonally sourced and still meet the dietary requirements of your guests?

You should also choose foods that have sustainable food certification. Find out more about what logos to look out for.

Considering the inclusivity of your event may lead to different food and drink orders too. For example, if your event takes place during Ramadan, there may be guests who are fasting. Find out more about running inclusive events during this time.

This can not only reduce the impact of food you’re serving but also promotes and encourages others to adopt more sustainable choices.

Reducing waste

When inviting guests, you could encourage them to bring their own travel cups and water bottles. Single-use cups are not provided by University caterers, but some external suppliers may offer them. Asking attendees to bring their own cups also means they can take away any drinks that are left over at the end and reduce both packaging and food waste.

If you need to give out name badges, opt for reuseable ones and collect them at the end.

Avoid giving out unnecessary promotional items, like free pens or stickers, that will most likely end up in the bin.

Rather than giving out printed materials like brochures and leaflets, encourage guests to scan QR codes to go to your web pages for more information about what you do.

Options for travel

When inviting guests to an event on campus, encourage them to use public transport to get there. It’s also important to make sure your event takes place during the hours of public transport, so attendees have a sustainable option when travelling home.

If you’re booking an event off-campus, consider the venue’s distance from public transport to encourage sustainable travel.