Green Event Guide: Getting Started

Where to Start? Ask the Right Questions.

As with any event, planning starts with the basics:

What is the purpose of your event?
Where will the event be held?
What will occur during event hours?
Who will come to the event?
What are the technology requirements?
Will food be served?

The Green Lens
Green event planning is no different than regular event planning when it comes to the larger picture. The difference is in the details. The green lens encourages you to always look for ways to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink every component of your planning process. You can infuse the green lens into all that you do as you utilize it in event planning.

For example, when selecting a product (like food, handouts, giveaways, and decorations) ask:

Where does it come from? What is in it? Where will it go? Is it necessary?

These questions help you gauge:

• Locality: What resources are required to get the product here?How is it supporting the local economy? What is product’s the carbon footprint*?
• Content: Are there any hazardous materials or chemicals in the product (e.g. some painted toys from China have been reclaimed for lead paint; non-organic fresh fruits and vegetables, especially from countries with lax regulation, may contain pesticide residue)? What kinds of materials are in the product? Is it made from post-consumer* or pre-consumer* recycled content? Is the product healthy to consume?
• Disposal: Is the product biodegradable or recyclable? Is it likely to be recycled or composted? Are we providing the necessary means for responsible disposal?
• Necessity: Does the financial and environmental “price” earn enough benefit to make the cost (environmental and fiscal) worth it? Does this enhance the overall event experience in a positive and worthwhile way?

By asking the right questions, you will be able to plan a green event anywhere for anyone. As each event is different, it is important that your checklist remains flexible, rather than a ridged cut-and-paste formula.

Become a green event guru by reading the rest of the articles in our Green Event Resources Guide series (articles coming soon!).