Ten Tips to Start Off

All journeys start with a single step. We encourage you to walk your own path toward reducing the environmental impact of your meetings, but propose the following ideas to help you on your way. These practices not only help care for the earth, but can be easily started with minimal to no cost, and may even save money!

Rise to the Challenge! How to engage and inspire your organisation to go green.

Some ideas to start to organize your approach include:

• Researching the business and environmental case for green meetings using online resources. Showing the environmental and cost savings benefits of greening can help get leadership buy-in to the process.
• Establishing a green team to brainstorm ideas and practices to green your event or facility.
• Creating a sustainability policy and identifying some basic practices you can start with.

Green Light...Go! We've got the go-ahead...now what do we do?

Some beginning steps in greening for planners and suppliers can include:

• Using a linen and towel reuse program.
• Using china and linen service or at a minimum biodegradable products.
• Providing water in pitchers or bulk coolers.
• Providing local, organic and vegetarian food and beverage options.
• Donating un-served food.
• Recycling!
• Reducing paper use.
• Practicing Climate Care by reducing emissions and offsetting those you cannot avoid.

Paying it Forward. Okay...we got through the first year, what's next?

Your journey to reduce environmental impacts just begins with green practices. Measuring the impact of your efforts and sharing your success are important post-event ways to evaluate your work and improve for next year. Publication of your achievements also presents significant public relations opportunities