Green swaps for your next event

Green swaps for your next event

Are you too busy to ‘go green’? Then choosing more sustainable options and making simple swaps might be your best approach to getting started. Here are a few ideas.

Lanyards

The problem:

Lanyards are generally used for a single event. What makes their reuse difficult is that they are often branded, and from a hygiene point of view you would need to clean them before re-using them. Most lanyards and their plastic pouches are also not recyclable, although the paper printed inside might be – if you have a system in place to collect it.

Some solutions:

• Purchase lanyards that are likely to be reused post event, such as beaded one, or ones made from shwe shwe fabric. As a plus, some companies offering these, such as African Mama Crafts and E’Yako Green, are working with social upliftment enterprises to produce them.

• Purchase lanyards made from an alternative material. Dandylion Green Business Solutions has lanyards made from seeded paper, which can be planted post event to grow vegetables.

• Ask your delegates to bring their own lanyard, either from an old event or one which they have made for themselves. We did this at the EGF 2019 Conference, and offered a prize for the best lanyard – which went to Hestelle Robinson from Homemakers, who had creatively upcycled plastic string to create her lanyard.

• Collect the lanyards post event to donate to a willing recipient who can up-cycle them. Ultimate Data Sciences is busy developing a programme for this, which will be launching soon.

• If you can’t find a good lanyard alternative, consider at least skipping the plastic pouch and rather printing the badge on recyclable cardboard or seeded paper. Growing Paper has a range of flower, herb and vegetable seeded paper which is handmade locally.

Take-away coffee cups

The problem:

Paper coffee cups are single use and cannot be recycled, due to the thin plastic lining inside the cup which keeps the liquid in. Given how many hot beverages are consumed at events, they contribute hugely to landfill waste. When you include the plastic stirrers and lids, and cardboard sleeves, this waste volume increases. And while the sleeve, for example, might be recyclable, it is unlikely your attendees will throw the separate components into separate bins.

Some solutions:

• Ask the venue to supply reusable cups and saucers. This can be challenging with large crowds and events where people are on the move, but it is the most sustainable option.

• Give your attendees a complimentary, branded, re-usable cup to use at the drink stations. Remember to also ensure there is a way for them to clean their cup between uses.

• If giving your attendees travel cups is out of your budget, you could encourage them to bring their own. As always, it’ll be smart to offer an incentive to do this, such as spot prizes to those who are seen using theirs. Cups can even be donated to a local charity after the event, as we all have cups at home that we don’t need.

• Purchase compostable coffee cups, like those sold by Ecopack, Enviromall and Green Home. However, if you decide to go with this option, it is critical that you set up a compost waste stream at your event that diverts this waste to an industrial composting facility. Earth Probiotic offers this service. Without this, the cups will go to landfill where they will not break down. If you go this route, it is also strongly advised that all of your food service items are compostable, so that they can all be sent to the same waste stream. For example, use bamboo stirrers and cutlery, and bagasse food containers. This removes the risk of confusing your attendees about which waste goes into which bins, and the inevitable cross-contamination that will have to be dealt with.

Cleaning products

The problem:

Cleaning products are laden with chemicals, such as ammonia, nitrogen, phosphorus and fragrances. Many of these are bad for human health.

They also aren’t great for the environment, which is where a lot of them end up, after being washed down the drain and into our waterways, or released into the air.

Some solutions:

• Look for products that are biodegradable, like Triple Orange or Better Earth. This means they will break down into non-toxic elements fairly quickly, and won’t harm you or the environment.

• Some cleaning products are made with bacteria and enzymes, such as OptimusBio and EcoZyme. These tend to be highly effective cleaners, and require lower temperatures (and therefore less energy) and less water when being used. They are also biodegradable.

• If you’re unsure about which product to go with, look for one that has been certified – such as Eco Choice approved or Green Seal Certified.

• Alternatively, ask your service provider if they can give you a greener option of your current range you using.