The Ministry for the Environment encourages all World Environment Day event organisers to make their events low carbon and sustainable – in other words, events that minimise greenhouse gas emissions and their environmental impact. Taking this action can also save money.  Here are some tips on how to “green your event”.

Step 1: Commit to a low-carbon, sustainable event

• Commit to running a low-carbon event, and make sustainable choices for the event.
• Consider making the event carbon neutral by calculating emissions (www.carbonzero.co.nz) and investing in an offset project.

Step 2: Educate

• Have clear information and signage for event participants about your goal to make your event low-carbon and sustainable.
• Ask participants for help in meeting these goals.
• Encourage sustainable actions and consider rewarding those who take ‘low-carbon’ actions ie, prizes for bike riders.
• Promote the sustainability aspects of your event and offer your knowledge to other event organisers.
• Recognise event coordinators, caterers and others who have worked to help meet sustainability goals.
• Consider ways you can inspire people to take behaviour change home with them.

Step 3: Transport

• Choose a venue that is near public transport and/or is in a central place where people can walk or bike to it easily. Organise a shuttle service if the event is in a remote area.
• Publicise the transport options available in promotional materials.
• Recognise, incentivise and/or encourage no-carbon or low-carbon transport to your event.
• Include public transport to an event in the ticket price.

Step 4: Energy

• Turn off lights and appliances at the wall when not in use.
• Have energy-efficient light bulbs in place.
• Use meetings rooms that have dimmers on the lights.
• Use heating/heaters efficiently.

Step 5: Waste – reduce, reuse, recycle

• Minimise waste produced by the event by reducing the amount of paper and packing you use in, for example, conference packs or promotional materials.
• Use biodegradable packaging where possible.
• Participate in a recycling programme.
• Provide well-marked recycling bins for event attendees.
• Purchase reusable and durable products.

Step 6: Procurement (sourcing your materials)

• Purchase products that can be recycled or are biodegradable.
• Give preference to environmentally responsible service providers.
• Provide restroom supplies eg, hand towels and toilet paper that are made from recycled material.
• Use paper products that are not bleached with chlorine.
• Minimise the use of harmful chemicals eg, use non-toxic cleaning products.

Step 7: Water

• Minimise water wastage.
• If it is your venue, repair leaking pipes and taps. If not, report leaks to venue owner.

Step 8: Food and Beverage

• Give preference to environmentally aware service providers.
• Give preference to locally produced food and beverages with a low-carbon footprint.
• Reduce food packaging by buying in bulk.
• Use reusable serving containers, tablecloths, linen napkins, dishes and silverware.
• Donate left-over food to a local food bank or soup kitchen and compost food scraps.