Planning an eco-friendly event can seem challenging, especially when sticking to a tight budget. Often there are higher price tags placed on eco-friendly products and services forcing event planners to choose cheaper, less environmentally friendly options.

With a smart plan in place, going green doesn’t have to break your event budget. There are many strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of your event while keeping costs down. The most important way to minimise costs while planning an eco-friendly event is to have an eco plan in place covering all facets of your event.

Here are a few things to consider when planning an eco-friendly event.

Impress on less

When going ‘green’, style doesn’t need to be compromised and costs can be cut, while still impressing your guests. Utilising reusable decorations is a great way to make your event more ‘green’ and will help cut costs at the same time. The type of lighting at your event should be considered when it comes to eco-friendly event planning. LED lights are highly efficient, cost effective and are much more eco-friendly than traditional lighting methods. The use of LED lighting at your event will help reduce power consumption and as a result will reduce your event’s CO2 footprint.

Reduce waste

Maintaining a wise waste management strategy will help make your event more environmentally friendly. Global food waste is responsible for a massive portion of the earth’s annual CO2 emissions. By carefully managing food waste at your event, you can help reduce global CO2 emissions. Utilising an organisation like OzHarvest, which redistributes excess perishable food will help make your event more eco-friendly while at the same time feeding people in need. Food redistribution organisations often work on donations, meaning it doesn’t have to cost much to manage your food waste wisely.

Choose your vendors carefully

Choosing eco-friendly vendors can make a big difference. Choosing all local vendors reduces the need for long distance transportation of goods and services, reducing CO2 emissions and pollution caused by vehicles. Selecting caterers that use organic food products also has a lesser environmental impact.

Keep things digital

Avoiding paper tickets and invitations will help reduce the environmental footprint of your event. Avoiding the use of paper can be achieved by ensuring your event exclusively provides e-tickets or online invitations. Keeping your marketing methods online will also reduce the use of wasteful and environmentally harmful products such as plastic and paper. Not only does the decision to go paperless make your event more eco-friendly, it will save printing costs.

If you would like some advice on planning your next eco-friendly event, get in touch with us today.