Sustainability and accessibility : can we have it all ?
Meg Strahle , sustainability manager at UK consultancy , The Bulb explains how to make events more accessible without sacrificing sustainability
Meg Strahle
O ver the last few years , we have seen a shift in event design to be more mindful of waste . It ’ s clear that time is of the essence on this ; research by MeetGreen has found that a threeday event with 1,000 attendees can generate up to 5,670kgs of waste .
To reduce the impact of events , organisers are choosing to eliminate carpets , increase the use of digital assets to reduce print graphics , and make designs simpler and reusable .
What people don ’ t realise is that some aspects of design are there for a reason . By changing your entire design to be more sustainable without pausing to think about whom it will impact , you might remove accessibility - creating more barriers for people that want to attend your events .
Everyone wants to show up and feel welcome at events . As industry professionals , we have the power to create an experience that is inclusive to all . This is why it ’ s imperative for us to take a step back and pause when working sustainability into experiences to ensure that accessibility is not neglected . It ’ s not an either-or choice ; you can have an event that ’ s both sustainable and accessible .
Walk the talk , reducing waste without removing accessibility The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has found that 80 % of waste is created at the design stage .
Simplifying design helps reduce waste and , to this end , many are moving towards a one-size-fits-all solution .
When reducing waste in events often the first thing to go is carpeting . Travel news source Skift has found that the use of carpets ( in all industries ) creates billions of pounds of waste , but what people don ’ t necessarily realise is that carpet is an intentional design in many venues . This is the case particularly in conference rooms , cinemas , and theatres .
Carpets help to prevent sound from bouncing around the room and improve acoustics so everyone benefits from the reduction of background noise . By removing carpeting , you are creating an environment that will be noisier than usual , making it difficult for the d / Deaf and the neurodiverse communities to attend events and have a positive
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