How to make your event sustainable
In recent years, there has been a growing movement towards sustainability in all aspects of life, including events. From weddings to corporate conferences, people and businesses are becoming more aware of the impact their events have on the environment and are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
The Benefits of Sustainable Events
Sustainable events not only help the environment, but they can also benefit the individuals and businesses hosting them.
First and foremost, events can have a significant impact on the environment; they often generate a large amount of waste, consume significant amounts of energy, and contribute to carbon emissions. By considering sustainability in event planning, individuals and businesses can reduce the environmental impact of their events, helping to preserve natural resources and reduce the negative effects of climate change.
Moreover, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the impact their choices have on the environment, and they are seeking out products and services that align with their values. By hosting sustainable events, businesses can improve their brand image and appeal to consumers who prioritise environmental sustainability.
Sustainable events can also improve the attendee experience. Attendees are more likely to have a positive experience if they know the event they are attending is eco-friendly and socially responsible.
Finally, promoting sustainable practices through events can also inspire attendees to adopt sustainable behaviours in their own lives. By educating and demonstrating sustainable practices, individuals and businesses can help to create a more environmentally conscious society.
Actionable Tips for Sustainability
Reducing waste is one of the easiest ways to make your event more sustainable. Use digital invitations instead of paper invitations, provide reusable water bottles instead of disposable ones, and perhaps even look to utilise a company to support with the recycling of sets and design materials.
Choose sustainable food and beverage options, such as locally sourced and organic food, vegetarian or vegan options, and fair-trade coffee and tea. Also, consider donating any leftover food to a local food bank or charity. At Twickenham, we have a circular food waste strategy that includes an anaerobic digestion composting system that produces electricity and fertiliser, and over 95% of our food is prepared and cooked on-site, using over 80% British ingredients.
Encourage guests to use sustainable transportation options, such as public transportation, walking, or biking. Provide bike racks and public transportation information to make it easier for attendees to choose these options. Your guests can get to Twickenham Stadium with a 10-minute walk from Twickenham Rail Station or 20 minutes from Whitton Rail Station, and the stadium has over 100 secure bike racks. We also offer electric charging points in our car park, if your guests want to charge their electric cars while at your event.
When selecting a venue for your event, consider choosing a sustainable venue. Look for venues that have implemented eco-friendly practices, such as using renewable energy sources, reducing waste, and conserving water. Here at Twickenham Stadium, we are committed to green practices and have reduced our energy consumption in a number of ways, including improving system performance, educating staff and contractors, retrofitting energy-efficient solutions and only using utility services in occupied areas.
We have also had a 'zero waste to landfill' policy for over 7 years and continue to meet the International Standards Organisation ISO 20121 for sustainable event management, the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme and Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme. We also use self-destructing plastic cups and carry the Green Meetings Accreditation.
You can rest assured that holding your event at Twickenham Stadium will be done with the utmost attention paid to sustainable practices, all while in a truly unique environment steeped in history and excellence. Take a look at our event spaces here and get in touch with our friendly team.
