Empowering Event Businesses with Eco-Friendly Resources
Did you know that in Canada, the events industry generates over 1.2 million tonnes of waste annually? It's incredibly important for businesses in the events world to adopt sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, which help to reduce their environmental impact. We’re here with some practical tips to implement greener practices in various aspects of your business, which may result in cost savings, too!
Sustainable Events Industry: A Growing Trend
The events industry is thriving, especially following the pandemic, but this growth has led to a greater carbon footprint. Popular events such as weddings, conferences, and trade shows generate a significant amount of waste, and we have a responsibility as business owners to minimise our environmental impact. As clients become increasingly aware of sustainability issues, we have a unique opportunity to set ourselves apart by prioritising eco-friendly practices. By choosing sustainable options, businesses not only reduce their impact on the environment, but also attract customers who prioritise sustainable values, leading to a more positive and rewarding business experience. This, in turn, helps generate increased awareness of the need for more eco-friendly events as well.
Eco-Friendly Initiatives for Small Business Owners
Small business owners in the sustainable events industry can employ greener solutions in various aspects of their business, including:
Sustainable Business Practices
We can implement sustainable business practices such as switching to digital updates and ticketing, choosing eco-friendly cleaning products, skipping single-use items, and reducing energy consumption by using energy-efficient venues and equipment. Many sustainable alternatives are easy to implement and just make sense. Plus, they’ll make a big difference in your business’s carbon footprint!
Green Business Certification
Another great option for businesses of any size to consider is green business certifications. Certification programs like BC Green Business, 1% for the Planet, and B Corp certification recognize businesses that are committed to sustainable practices and provide a framework to assess and improve their sustainability efforts. Not only is this a great selling point to attract like-minded clients, but it also helps small business owners make continual strides and track their eco-friendly progress along the way.
Ethical Catering & Beyond
According to the United Nations, one-third of all food produced globally goes to waste, which equals about 1.3 billion tonnes of food each year. In light of this, it is incredibly important to align with high-quality, sustainable catering companies. We love working with caterers who partner with local communities to reduce food waste by sourcing ingredients locally, carefully calculating headcounts, redistributing leftovers, and prioritising eco-friendly products in their process. Additionally, green event companies can significantly reduce the number of items that end up in landfills by renting or using reusable tableware, cutlery, and glasses, rather than using single-use disposable varieties.
Another innovative technology is the ORCA system. ORCA is an organic waste recycling technology that composts food waste on-site, diverting it from landfills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By composting food waste instead of sending it to a landfill, businesses can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and support a circular economy. ORCA technology is easy to use, energy-efficient, and can process up to 2,400 pounds of food waste per day, making it an ideal solution for sustainable small or large businesses. By investing in eco-friendly technology like ORCA, companies can reduce their environmental impact while also supporting earth-kind practices.
Sustainable Decor and Rentals
Using sustainable decor and rentals is another crucial aspect of eco-friendly event planning. Think reusable fabric coverings for decorative items, rather than plastic. Make your pillar candles more eco-conscious by reusing them for multiple events and renting everything from furniture to wall hangings. These sustainable alternatives not only reduce waste, but also add a unique and trendy touch to your events.
By using sustainable decor and rentals, businesses make a statement about their commitment to sustainability and attract eco-conscious clients who appreciate environmentally responsible practices. Additionally, sustainable decor and rentals can be reused and repurposed for future events, providing cost savings in the long run.
Eco-Friendly Florals
Did you know floral foam is dangerous to the environment? Not only does floral foam contain harmful chemicals, it also takes hundreds of years to fully break down. Fortunately, there are a number of eco-friendly alternatives that florists and stylists can use to create stunning arrangements with the planet in mind. Florists can opt for eco-friendly alternatives like Agra Wool, Oshun Pouch, and chicken wire, which are crafted from sustainable materials. In addition, using reusable water tubes and flower frogs can also help reduce waste and minimise the use of harmful materials. By adopting these sustainable practices, florists can significantly reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a greener future.
Earth-Conscious Hotels and Venues
Where we choose to stay and the accommodations we recommend to clients matters. Hotels and event venues can have a significant impact on the environment due to their high energy consumption, water usage, and waste generation. However, by adopting sustainable practices, they can significantly reduce their environmental impact. One way they can do this is by obtaining certifications like Biosphere, Beyond Green, Green Key, and LEED.
These certifications recognize businesses that implement sustainable practices and provide guidelines to reduce their environmental impact. By following these recommendations, hotels and venues can reduce their energy consumption, minimize waste, conserve water, and reduce their carbon footprint. These certifications also provide an opportunity for businesses to showcase their commitment to sustainability and attract eco-conscious clients. Prioritizing environmentally-friendly destinations is now easier than ever with Google Hotels.
Sustainable Beauty
Hair stylists who are part of a salon can join Green Circle Salon. This program helps salons implement sustainable practices, such as recycling hair clippings, using eco-friendly hair products, and minimizing water usage.
The Green Circle Salon program offers a great opportunity for hair stylists to join an initiative that promotes eco-friendly practices in the salon industry. By recycling hair clippings, salons can reduce waste by using them for oil spill cleanups or as a natural fertilizer. Furthermore, the program provides an easy way for hair stylists to dispose of hazardous waste safely, such as hair colour. Recycled hair colour can be used to generate clean energy or separated back into oil and water. By joining Green Circle Salon, hair stylists can reduce their environmental impact and contribute to the sustainability of the salon industry.
Envisioning a Brighter Future
We have the power to make a difference with each event we book and with each client we educate. By connecting with like-minded professionals and learning about sustainable event brands through our website's Brands We Love page, you can take your eco-friendly business practices to the next level.
Let's show the world that we value sustainability and that we're committed to creating greener events and minimizing our carbon footprint along our journey. Have some planet-friendly business resources of your own to share? Let us know in the comments!