NOVEMBER | ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
How to be a lean,
mean and green live
events machine?
J
ust imagine what the world
would be like if the events
and festivals industry failed
to play its part in the global fight
against waste and climate change.
With the power of live, there is
no sector better placed to take
positive messages surrounding
sustainability and green measures
to the world. But what are you
doing to ensure that you are “doing
your bit”? How green is your live
event?
Large-scale events, such as
Brighton Pride, Wimbledon,
London Marathon and Shambala
Festival, have all demonstrated
that sustainability is high on their
agenda. Green events are here to
stay. So could you be doing more
to maintain a competitive edge?
Because only savvy organisers that
are actively implementing efficient
processes that reduce waste,
save on fuel and transport costs
and consider their economic and
environmental impact will thrive
in the future.
With such a massive focus on the
importance of sustainability, what
could you do to make your live
event business more sustainable?
Here, Fabrizio Della Pace, chief
operating officer at Rentuu, the
54
equipment hire specialist, shares
his event sustainability to-do list.
Do’s •
• Appoint a sustainability co-
ordinator or a member of staff
that can dedicate time to making
sure that the events you organise
are sustainable
• Work out what impact your
business is already having on the
environment
• Make a sustainability plan of
action
• Have regular meetings to assess
what you can do better as a
business – for example, is there
more you can do to stop making
waste?
• When looking at procurement,
communicate your sustainability
objectives through your tender
process
• Analyse your supply chain –
what are your suppliers doing in
terms of sustainability?
• Ask suppliers and contractors
about new sustainable products
and services
• Eliminate single-use items
• Get involved with a local charity
or support a local project –
sustainability is much more •
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than looking at the environment;
there’s economic sustainability
too
Use suppliers local to your event/
festival location
Trust your instinct – be
prepared, do the maths and don’t
over order
Ask your suppliers – if they
are based in the same area
– if they are willing to work
together to reduce delivery and
transportation costs
As a business, analyse the
number of miles you travel –
consider carbon offsetting your
travel miles
Communicate your
environmental aims with key
stakeholders
Be proactive – use free tools and
technology to help save time and
money
Engage your supply chain early
in the procurement process and
involve suppliers early during the
event planning stages
Consider using projection over
print
Use energy-efficient LED lighting
Opt for as many paper-free
communications as possible
Use an online booking system to
save paper and time