If you're planning a party and want it to be a more sustainable event with fewer carbon emissions, consider working with an eco-friendly venue and low-impact catering firm. Eliminating single-use plastics and reducing waste and material use can also help you have a successful green banquet.

Reducing carbon emissions and promoting personal or corporate event sustainability has become more crucial nowadays, as large gatherings like these traditionally use significant resources and generate considerable amounts of waste.

Greenometer, a B2B compliance and sustainability platform, even cites data showing how much carbon footprint a single event visitor can have: a staggering 571 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent. It's a massive footprint that needs reducing, something you can do at your next event.

What Does Sustainable Mean? 

The term "sustainable" refers to the ability of a practice, process, or system to:

• Maintain itself over time
• Cause little to no damage to the environment and society
• Continue without depleting natural resources

Sustainable can also refer to something that uses physical or natural resources at a rate that allows them to go through natural replenishment. In doing so, they remain available for many future generations to come.

Are Traditional Events Not Sustainable? 

No. Unfortunately, most traditional events are not sustainable because of many factors, including high resource consumption. The larger an event is, the more energy and water it typically consumes.

Traditional events also produce significant amounts of waste. Global social impact network World Pulse notes that a single-day wedding alone can generate 400 to 600 pounds of garbage. It further cites data saying that an estimated 40% of food at large events goes to waste, uneaten.

How Can You Reduce Carbon Emissions at Your Next Banquet and Have a More Sustainable Event? 

The massive toll of traditional events on the planet should be enough reason for you to focus on green banquet planning, starting with an eco-friendly event rental venue that promotes sustainable transportation. Choosing an environmentally conscious catering firm and using as many recyclable and reusable event items as possible should be top priorities, too.

Renting an Eco-Friendly Venue 

Planning a sustainable event means you should consider booking an eco-friendly venue that features sustainable infrastructure and implements green practices. Some of the things that make a venue eco-friendly include:

• Renewable energy use (e.g., wind and solar panels power most, if not all, of the venue's electrical facilities)
• Clear composting and recycling stations
• Water-conserving amenities and facilities (e.g., automated/sensor faucets, low-flow toilets, and graywater recycling systems
• LED lightbulbs and lighting systems
• Smart HVAC and lighting controls

Eco-friendly venues also have accessible locations, which allow them to encourage and support green transportation methods. They can, for instance, be close to public transit hubs or bike storage/depositories.

Contracting With a Low-Impact Catering Firm

You're more likely to enjoy a sustainable event if you hire a low-impact catering firm that prioritizes minimizing its environmental footprint. A key characteristic to look for in your next banquet's caterer is their use of local, seasonal ingredients.

Locally-sourced, in-season ingredients often taste better, as they have traveled fewer "food miles" and are therefore fresher. The less they have to travel, the more sustainable they are, too, as they've generated fewer transportation emissions.

Look for caterers known for their ethical procurement processes, too, such as partnering only with suppliers who practice organic farming or humane animal treatments. Fair trade practices are other key credentials to consider when picking a catering firm for your next banquet.

Reducing Waste and Material Use 

Eliminating single-use plastics (e.g., plastic spoons, forks, cups, and food storage containers) should be another top priority for your successful, sustainable event. Instead of using these items that take a huge toll on the environment, go for reusable ceramic dining ware and metal flatware rental options for events.

If you opt for reusable, sustainable party rentals, you can reduce the amount of material your event uses and the waste it generates.

Another savvy, eco-friendly tactic is to switch to digital invitations or check-ins rather than printing them out on paper and laminating them with plastic. Just as crucial is having an accurate headcount of your attendees, as this can help reduce food waste by not preparing too much food or over-ordering.

Remember, too, that no matter how much preparation you do, it's likely that you'll deal with leftover food after the event. You can prepare for this and still keep things sustainable by having reusable or compostable food containers ready for your guests or staff to take home. Arranging a potential donation beforehand with your local charity or food bank is another option.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Importance of Planning and Hosting a Sustainable Event? 

Whether it's a personal party (e.g., with family and friends) or a corporate gathering, planning and hosting a sustainable event is crucial not only to cut costs but also to reduce your and your attendees' environmental impact.

You want your future events to be sustainable, considering that the high carbon emissions and waste associated with traditional events still contribute to global warming and climate change.

With continued global warming and climate change, temperatures will keep rising, and extreme, dangerous weather will become more frequent. It's for these reasons that making even small tweaks to your party planning, so long as they're eco-friendly and sustainable, can help.

What Are Some Sustainable Event Themes for Your Future Parties?

A farm-to-table feast can be a good idea for your next sustainable event. It involves reaching out to local farmers and vendors known for their green practices to serve seasonal, plant-forward menu items.

Hosting your farm-to-table event in an outdoor area, where you and your guests can enjoy nature and natural sunlight, can further instill the value of sustainability. Taking advantage of natural light can also help cut down on costs, as it reduces the need to consume electricity for artificial lighting.

Make Your Next Sustainable Event More Memorable 

Sustainable event planning can do more than cut costs. If you partner with eco-friendly venues, low-impact caterers, and minimize resource use and waste, it can be more meaningful by leaving a smaller environmental footprint and even help spread awareness about planet-friendly practices.

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