4 minute read
EVENT GREENING FORUM
The grey in greening (Part 2)
Event greening – incorporating sustainable practices into how an event is managed – can be a confusing space. In this two-part series, the Event Greening Forum unpacks a few common dilemmas, addressing the sustainability issues at stake and what is the better option to do.
If you are not sure something can be recycled, is it better to put it into the recycling bin or the landfill bin?
Carmen Jordaan is the director of Whole Earth Recycling in Randburg, Johannesburg. She said that neither option is ideal; “We don’t want recyclables to end up in landfill. At the same time, sending non-recyclables to a recycling depot means that they must send it to landfill. This carries a cost, and means that the waste ultimately travels further and therefore has a bigger carbon footprint. (This type of waste is often bulky and can add up to many truckloads over time). It also adds to the sorters’ workload, which takes away from their income.”
Instead, she advised that you speak to your recycling partner to clarify what can and cannot be recycled. Some recycling companies recycle everything, while others may not accept certain recyclables because they are not very profitable. Ideally, try to make use of a recycling service provider that recycles everything that can be recycled — in other words, they are not only profit-driven, and can accept all recyclable waste you send on to them.
If you know of any materials that cannot be recycled, you may also request that your event suppliers and service providers do not use them. This should improve your recycling rates.
One material that can confuse people is biodegradable plastic, adds Carmen; “It looks like plastic, but it cannot be recycled and in fact will ruin a batch of recycling if it accidentally gets included. Instead, it must be composted under very specific conditions and, even then, many industrial composting facilities won’t accept it. If you want to use this at your event, do your homework and make sure you have a proven and safe way to dispose of it.”
Should I choose products, with green credentials, that have been imported, or rather use local products that are not as sustainable?
The answer to this depends on if there are local options available, says Grace Stead, a sustainability consultant for the events industry and founder of Steadfast Greening. If there are, she advocates that you always support local businesses. This creates social sustainability and can reduce the miles travelled, and therefore carbon footprint of the product in question. An example here would be to choose locally grown fruit and veggies for your food service rather than imported ones — even if the imported ones are organic.
Ms Stead continued: “Where something is not made locally, I would encourage choosing the more sustainable option. This helps to create awareness and demand for sustainable products and brands.”
A good example of this is pens. It’s probable that most pens on the market are made in China, so look for ones made from sustainable materials such as cardboard, sugarcane or even wooden pencils. Also look for ones that are reusable or will last well, and which can be disposed of responsibly when they no longer work.
Sometimes things are not so clear cut, as is the case with T-shirts. South Africa has a textiles industry, but it cannot always compete with bigger markets in terms of cost and capacity to deliver large orders quickly. “This is a common stumbling block in the eventing space, where decisions can be delayed to the last moment. But deliberate and careful planning can overcome this,” Ms Stead said.
She added that buying a locally made polyester t-shirt is preferable to buying an imported organic cotton t-shirt, but cautions, “Be aware that sewing a button on a shirt means one can call it ‘locally manufactured’, although it is not supporting our local economy. Always do your research and ask lots of questions.”
