We have gathered the most frequently asked questions about our sustainable events. What makes an event green? Where does our work start and end? What is sustainable catering or a green menu? How do decorations become part of the circular economy? We’ve answered all.
1. What makes an event sustainable?
Organising a sustainable corporate event means planning every element along the principles of circularity and the 5R model, striving to provide the highest guest experience in an environmentally friendly manner with the smallest possible carbon footprint. Inevitable emissions are offset through credible partners.
In practice, this principle means we rethink every aspect of event planning, identifying environmentally harmful tools, processes, and elements that the event industry has become accustomed to and finding eco-friendly alternatives.
2. What are the areas of green event planning?
- Sustainable venue management
- Local and seasonal catering
- Emission-optimised logistics
- Natural decorations and rented equipment
- Energy-efficient sound and lighting technology
- Carbon offsetting
- Green education and communication
3. What makes a venue green?
Ideally, a green event venue can accommodate and implement green requirements. It is optimal when the operation is already sustainable, and our event can seamlessly fit into this environment. Unfortunately, such venues are rare. Traditional structures that use conventional energy sources are more common. In these places, sustainability is usually reflected in sourcing local materials, using eco-friendly cleaning products, and eliminating plastic. If our client chooses a venue where these practices are uncommon, we bring our own principles to the table.
4. What is green catering?
What is seasonal and local is generally sustainable. Seasonal and local vegetables and fruits are more sustainable than seasonal and local meat, of course. However, avocados, which grow in distant regions, are not. Finding the balance is not easy, and since we are not sustainable catering experts, we collaborate with the organisation, Felelős Gasztrohős, when creating our menu, as they are the experts. What is certain is that we do not use plastic plates, utensils, or straws.
Furthermore, green catering includes waste reduction, which is best achieved by avoiding leftovers. Precise planning is essential. We assess in advance how many people will attend the event and when they are arriving so we do not order breakfast unnecessarily for those coming in the afternoon. Any remaining edible food is donated or packed for guests and staff.
We usually expand our menu with vegan and vegetarian options, and we’re continuously seeking catering partners to meet various dietary preferences. That’s how we discovered Planteen and Roots Catering, for example.
5. What sustainable decorations do we work with?
Ideally, none! We strive to choose venues that do not require decoration. However, when decoration is necessary, we work with plant decorations, rented furniture and room dividers, and light decorations. We aim to avoid manufacturing new items and return as many tools as possible to the circular economy. LED lights, light shows, and fire jugglers add flair to every evening event.
6. Do we have sustainable solutions for everything?
Certainly not. If someone has, please let us know! 🙂
We constantly seek new partners and suppliers to collaborate on innovative, sustainable solutions. This can range from making the event carbon-neutral to implementing green programs and education or finding creative small-scale solutions.
Usually, transportation and guest arrivals are the hardest to achieve zero waste. In these cases, we calculate the unavoidable carbon emissions and offset the event.
7. What does carbon offsetting mean?
Many people do it in many ways. Some organise a “carbon-neutral event” by purchasing a project after a conventional event, which an external company (hopefully) executes, typically in a foreign location.
It’s essential to understand that carbon offsetting is the end of the process. Just as selective waste collection cannot solve the plastic problem, avoiding emissions is crucial.
We work with the MyForest Foundation and WWF Hungary. We calculate the contribution required for their projects to plant enough trees and restore habitats capable of capturing the emissions produced during the event. Their experts approve our calculations. Both organisations implement projects at a local level, and anyone can visit the planted trees and restored areas.
8. Speaking of trees… is tree planting good or bad?
This is a hot topic right now. And it’s a valid question! It’s definitely not bad, but it’s essential to communicate about it. Out of ten planted trees, only one will grow, and that’s if they are correctly cared for. This care is resource-intensive. Moreover, the essential characteristic of trees is not carbon capture.
Nevertheless, trees are an essential part of the circular economy, and in the long term, they genuinely help offset carbon. To achieve this, we must plant many trees, take good care of them, and be patient.
A more comprehensive solution is the WWF habitat reconstruction project – similar to this one -because restored areas have their own ecosystems, which can sustain themselves after the first few years. However, it is more complex and more expensive. Some clients still choose tree planting, and that’s totally fine.
9. Do we only work with entirely zero-waste companies?
No. Not only because they don’t really exist but also because we take responsibility for the events, not the entire company’s operations. This had to be made clear in our heads: we are responsible for what we can change. We want sustainability to be a widespread mindset and strive to convey our values during events, which can transfer to other business areas. We are taking it step by step and are delighted to work with clients who have already started on this path.
10. Is a sustainable event more expensive than a traditional one?
We have a saying for this: Your second zero-waste event will be cheaper than your last traditional one. We do not produce new banners yearly, buy single-use furniture and decorations, or print materials. Sustainability means high-quality and long-lasting and can be used at your future events. As for unnecessary items that are part of events out of habit, you no longer need to purchase them (refuse – the first element of the 5R model)!
+1: How does sustainability appear in our personal lives?
Differently for everyone. Some compost in their gardens, while others collect kitchen waste in their flats and use community composting sites. We prioritise plant-based foods, but not everyone gone vegan. We do not order clothes online from 6,000 kilometres away, and we hope this is the norm, just as selective waste collection is. And, of course, we talk a lot about sustainability, maybe even too much, according to our friends.
