Planning a "Green" Event, Part II

As promised, here are three additional tips to help you plan your next eco-friendly special event!

1. Food & Drink: Use locally grown produce! Many venues and caterers now boast a more eco-friendly menu with locally grown items on their catering lists. Have guests pre-select their food choice from your menu in order to avoid wasting excess food after the event. Also, try to dispense food/drink items in bulk. For example, a large beverage dispenser with a spigot for drinks, such as this 3-gallon dispenser from Fresh Finds.
   
   
2. Location/Distance: Select a venue within close proximity of where your guests live. If you will be hosting several out-of-town guests, select a venue within close proximity to an airport to minimize travel distance and emissions. For destination events, choose a "Green" destination city, like those listed in National Geographic's Green Guide.
   
   
3. Decor: Think usability and re-usability. For example, reuse previously built props and decor from another event.
   
   

I hope these three tips, in addition to the three in the previous post will get you on track to planning your next eco-friendly special event. For additional great suggestions and tips, please visit Planet Green, a wonderful resource!

Planning a "Green" Event, Part I

We all need to be more proactive in making environmentally responsible choices in our everyday lives, and planning an event is no exception! When planning a "green" event, an individual, planner, host, or supplier should ensure the use of sustainable products and utilize efficient waste management practices as often as possible.

This will be the first post of a two-part topic, each offering three usueful "greening" tips to get you started with planning your next eco-friendly special event. Here are the first three great tips:

1. The venue: A truly "green" event will be hosted in a "green," or LEED certified building. Not only will the building itself be built to safe, eco-friendly standards, but they will also offer everything from recycling bins to composting containers for separating waste to ensure a successful event. If there are no LEED certified venues available in your area, try to choose a venue that is easily accessible by public/mass transit or near an airport to accommodate guest travels.
   
   
2. Serve ware: There are several ways to incorporate eco-friendly alternatives for trays, plates, silverware, and glasses. Reduce and reuse as often as possible! If you plan to use disposable serve ware at your event, ensure that the serve ware is biodegradable and/or compostable.
   >>Great Finds!
   
   • Biodegradable dinnerware made out of bamboo by bambu
   • Dinnerware made from fallen leaves by Veterra
   • Compostable disposables by Compostable Goods
     
     
3. Technology: Go paperless by encouraging and promoting the use of digital technology whenever possible. Send out "e-vites" instead of traditionally mailed paper invites, and have your guests RSVP by phone or email.
   
   

These three tips should help get you started with planning your "green" event. The next post, "Planning a "Green" Event, Part II" will focus on three additional tips concerning food, distance/location, and decor. Be sure to check back soon!