Top 5 tips for making experiences more sustainable

Published: April 2023

At Audience, we make it our mission to reduce our carbon footprint and be leaders in the drive for a more sustainable events industry. Here are some of the ways to ensure your experiences are more sustainable from start to finish...

1. Plan ahead so you can offset

By working with companies like myclimate, it’s easy to calculate the environmental impact of individual elements and plan how to offset emissions.

Calculating attendance, tracking methods of transport and logging the number of crew members are just some of the ways to pinpoint the biggest emitters and reduce them accordingly. An easy method is to use local suppliers to reduce C02 emissions.

2. Recyclable materials

Although it may seem obvious, one of the most important considerations is the event materials and products you’ll be using throughout.

Hiring and reusing resources, while avoiding manufactured materials that are not compostable or recyclable, is a vital way to reduce event waste. Try to create modular, scalable designs which are sustainable and cost-effective. Elements can be used across a number of events and will mean less waste end up in a landfill.

3. Carbon auditing

Make sure to capture all possible data across your event to provide a benchmark for future events.

During your event, make sure to measure everything to gain an overall carbon footprint. Things like travel, electrical usage and thermal efficiency should all contribute to your findings. Doing so after the event has ended will help with your learnings and help you adapt your benchmarks for future events.

4. Digital swag

Remove non-essential materials from your experience by providing attendees with digital swag items.

Swag can be a useful tool for business gain and brand awareness. A way to maintain these benefits, while not using low-quality bulk-produced materials, is to gift digital products. Donations, tree planting and online courses are just some of the ways you can make swag exciting while sustainable. No materials need to be touched!

5. Provide a happy home

Once the event is over, how can you make sure that you leave without a trace? Is there an afterlife for your materials?

By working with companies like Event Cycle, who take unwanted event waste and repurpose it to charities and community groups, your event materials can find a second home. From production materials, to unwanted SWAG and plants, there’s always a more useful place then the landfill.