Sustainability at Events

1. No waste

Waste is a major issue in the event industry. Entire halls are built up beautifully in a short period of time, but unfortunately this often creates a large waste stream. For example, printed materials or floor coverings that are only used once, or temporary spaces built from wood or other single-use sheet material.
One of the benefits of sustainability at QuickSpace is that there is no waste stream when using our products. QuickSpace products are quick to assemble and disassemble and are thoroughly cleaned after they are completed in an environmentally friendly manner.

2. Reuse and recycling

At the end of the life cycle of our products, the textiles are processed into recyclable products, such as bags and covers, thus contributing to a circular economy. In doing so, we cooperate with various partners.

3. Low energy consumption

QuickSpace works exclusively with equipment that is energy efficient. For example, all our lighting is based on economical LED technology and we work with fans that have very low consumption. Did you know that a Dome for 50 people costs less than 0.55 euros per day in electricity?

Moreover, QuickSpace can transport its products very efficiently because the weight and volume of the products are very low. Thus, we do not need heavy equipment such as trucks, which in turn is better for the environment.

The sustainability toolkit for your event

1. TEST HOW SUSTAINABLE YOU ARE AT EVENTS NOW

If we look at the bigger picture of an event, such as logistics, on-site accessibility, energy and water consumption, catering (materials), waste disposal and recycling, paper waste, use of waste prevention communications and generated (chemical) waste from cleaning, among other things, the actual number of gallons of waste per person per event is higher. And since these factors are difficult to measure, the only way we can reduce our impact on the environment is by adjusting ourselves.

The OVAM Green Event Scan measures your event against 8 themes: Space, Gathering, Materials, Waste, Energy, Water, Mobility and Policy, and helps you understand your sustainability. ISO 20121 can help with a framework to act more sustainably during your event, compared to a "sustainability checklist" that falls under greenwashing.

2. CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES BEYOND THE TRASH CAN.

When it comes to waste disposal, most people think of the trash can. But recycling is not always sustainable and not everything can be recycled. For example, since 2018, much of our recyclable waste has been going to different countries because China no longer wants to accept our waste. But that means more transportation and other complicated measures such as waste quotas and (higher) tariffs. According to the Plasticsoupfoundation, only 9% of all plastic produced has been recycled since 1950. And while there is recyclable plastic (categories 1 through 6), most plastic falls into category 7 (other plastic), which is burned because there is nothing to do with it.

Fortunately, there are several alternatives to waste disposal, such as recycling, renovation or donation of waste. It doesn't have to cost money and you are doing others a favor. For example, as a business owner, you can buy, sell or donate business waste through afvalmarkt.nl (Netherlands), waste-outlet.com or even through social media such as Facebook Marketplace. There are also artists and creative organizations that give waste a new concept (trash art), and some are happy to accept waste. Leftover food from events can be donated to food banks or composting companies.

3. CHECK YOUR SUPPLIERS

With numerous suppliers of materials and products, a nice price tag does not always mean that it is also good for the environment. According to the OECD, international transport has an effect on the environment, but it is difficult to draw conclusions about how bad that effect is. It is clear that international freight transport is on the rise thanks to the easy availability of products. As a result, visibility in the supply chain is very limited in terms of CSR. Therefore, the following are some alternatives of what you can do:

• Choose local suppliers and partnerships.
• Renting instead of buying.
• Look for sustainability labels with integrity, such as ISO 140001 or B-Corp.
• Monitor the supplier's CSR activities (annually), e.g., with a Sustainable Scorecard.
• Take advantage of sustainability advice, such as through meetgreen.
• Involve your supplier in business decisions and expectations.
• Make sure your supplier is not greenwashing.

4. USING SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY

A green economy can only exist with a clean form of technology and innovation. And that means the need for stable and robust processes, which, among other things, helps to combat waste in the event industry. According to wasteonline, "disposable products" are one of the biggest culprits in the event industry, such as plastic cups and plates, plastic bags, disposable dinnerware, but promotional materials and (plastic) goodies also contribute to the problem. Fortunately, thanks to technological development, new products and methods have been developed to make your event look green and good, such as:

• Biodegradable cups, dinnerware, bags and plates.
• Electronic promotional materials.
• Use of online channels for distribution of messagee such as program booklets, flyers, invitations, as well as to reduce stationery.
• Tap water from the tap, possibly using a tap water cooler.
• Catering with meat substitutes / vegetarian.

5. COMMUNICATING CREATIVELY

Communication remains the easiest way to engage participants in your sustainability mission. As an organizer, you have an influential role and can get people excited about your sustainability goals. But while communication is simple in itself, it is still done (unconsciously) ineffectively. This need not be due to the wrong choice of words, text on materials or external factors such as noise (noise), but can also be innocently caused by misinterpretation or perception.
Fortunately, there are ways to get your message across effectively without the use of words. For example, charging participants for reusable cups and giving them the money back when they return them. Provide a sign with your environmental mission so participants see what happens to their (recyclable) waste and feel more involved. Or make participants more aware of their sustainability after an event through https://myeventfootprint.com/.

‍