How to Plan a Sustainable Event in Singapore
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword that you should ignore. Being more mindful of your environmental impact will change the world one way or another, and it always starts with little things like planning a more sustainable event.
Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have to be difficult and expensive to arrange an eco-friendly event. If you’re not sure how to start, then we covered the bases for you in this quick guide to planning a sustainable event in Singapore.
Look for Sustainable Suppliers
If you’re planning a huge event, then you’ll likely enlist the help of an event planner to do everything, from scouting event venues to managing budgets.
Whether you’re planning a corporate event or wedding, it’s important to align with suppliers
who are like-minded when it comes to sustainability. This means that they should know how to make events as environmentally friendly as possible, without you specifically requesting for it.
It can be easy for a supplier to pass themselves as “sustainable,” so make sure to ask your planner what their plans are for your event. This includes asking questions like how they’ll manage waste, or how they source sustainable caterers, for instance.
Here’s a little tip: it can also be useful to make a list of sustainable requirements you want your event to have beforehand. Bring this list with you to your first meeting with your supplier, and see where they tick the boxes.
Avoid Single-Use Plastic
The main reason why events can be extremely wasteful is because of single-use plastic. Make sure to skip using items that will only end up in the trash bin once the event is over.
This includes disposable cutlery, paper plates, cups, and even decoration. It’s always better to reuse actual plates, cutlery, and other decorative items you might have lying around.
If you’re planning a huge event where reusing items just isn’t feasible, then you might want to consider cutting back on it at least. Be sure to tell your event planner or supplier to minimise single-use plastics as much as possible.
You may also opt for biodegradable containers. Just make sure that they’re properly disposed of afterwards.
But for small gatherings such as hen nights or even date nights, keep in mind that zero-waste events are the way to go!
Go Digital
Paper is another common item that easily gets thrown away during events. To minimise this, consider going all-digital for your documentation needs.
Going digital in this aspect means that your brochures, venue maps, invitations, posters, and even tickets can only be accessible through your smartphone.
For starters, you can send guests and attendees an e-invite instead of a physical invitation.
Unlike physical invitations, it’s a more cost-effective way of saving time and money. Using mailing services to simply send out invitations also results in a larger carbon footprint, which can be totally avoided if you simply use e-invites.
You may also set up an event page, either on social media or on an event management website, where guests can easily access the most important information about your event.