Event professionals know how many resources are used in events. In honor of Earth Day, make an effort to reduce your events’ carbon footprints. Here’s how:

Know Your Certifications

When planning a green event, source a venue that is LEED Certified. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification is based on a points system; buildings earn points for the sustainable aspects that are incorporated. To become certified, a building must accrue 40 of possible 100 points. If the structure earns over 50, it is considered “Silver,” over 60 represents “Gold” and 80+ points earns “Platinum” status. There are many other certifications available for sustainable venues, but exploring LEED-certified locations with your venue-sourcing team is a great place to start.

Think Locally

Events require huge amounts of resources—ensure they are local. Ask your catering vendor to source food within 100 miles of the event, order promotional items from a local business, and prioritize temporary staff local to the event location. This means less transportation and more support for the local economy.

Reduce Your Catering Carbon Footprint

Making eco-friendly choices when feeding your guests is easier than it sounds. Cut down on waste by choosing foods that do not require individual wrapping. Include reusable water bottles and coffee thermoses in your promotional marketing to lessen your guests’ need for plastic water bottles and paper coffee cups. Reconsider the meat you order for catering; according to some estimates, 1,847 gallons of water are needed to produce one pound of beef—imagine how much water you could save by serving an alternative to beef at your event!

Educate Your Attendees

Inform your guests of the sustainable measures that have been taken for your event. Inspire them to make choices that reduce their carbon footprint at events and in their everyday lives!

Ask For Guidance

Want to know more about sustainable events? Organizations like The Offset Project work with businesses to educate them on sustainable event policies and to help them make their event as green as possible.