ENVIRONMENT
It is important to ensure that you take steps to minimise the impact that your event has on the environment, and that you consider sustainability at every stage of planning.
The British Standards Institute definition of sustainability is: 'An enduring, balanced approach to economic activity, environmental responsibility and social progress.'
If you would like your organisation to become more sustainable, it is helpful to develop a Sustainability Policy. This will be a document that outlines your commitment and the practical steps that you will take. Consider things like impact of travel pollution, waste management, noise, food and drink, energy and water use and land damage. Also think about your every day processes and activities. You can make a difference through small changes in the way that you work, like buying locally, choosing suppliers with environmentally friendly practises (include sustainability clauses in contracts) and recycling your office waste. Raise awareness of your efforts and share good practise.
There are numerous guides and information sources available to help you:
Running smart and sustainable events
A guide to running smart and sustainable events has been produced by Every Action Counts who provide advice and support to voluntary and community organisations which are looking to reduce their impact on the environment, tackle climate change and improve their local area. It provides practical advice such as hints, tips, checklists and direct experience from those who have done it themselves.
www.everyactioncounts.org.uk/upload_folder/docs/EACEventsGuide.pdf
Sustainable Events Guide
A guide to running sustainable events, published by defra (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) that deals with transport, venues, catering, well-being and raising awareness.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/sustainable/government/advice/sustainable-events-guide.htm
"Greener Events" guide for community and outdoor events (attached)
Detailed guidance and ideas to help ensure your outdooor/community event respects the environment and your neighbours.
http://www.oursouthwest.com/SusBus/gevents.html
Green'n'Clean Guide by The European Festivals Association: advice on reducing festivals environmental impact. http://www.yourope.org/green_clean.aspx
A Greener Festivals
http://www.agreenerfestival.com/
Helps music and arts festivals to adopt environmentally friendly practises, and awards annual Green Awards. Website has a wealth of information.
A Guide to Greening your Event (Manchester City Council)
www.manchestergreencity.co.uk/site/images/stories/greenguide.pdf
Other useful websites:
The Environment Agency
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx
FOOD
Try to use locally sourced or fair-trade food where possible to minimise transport costs and community benefit.
Fareshare (for advice about passing on your leftover food) www.fareshare.org.uk
The Fairtrade Foundation
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/products/default.aspx Here you can source fair-trade produce
Somerset Food Direct
http://www.sfmdirect.co.uk/
Local Food Advisor
http://www.localfoodadvisor.com/
Somerset Local Food Direct
http://www.localfooddirect.co.uk/
Bottled Water
http://www.belu.org/
TRAVEL
Car Sharing is really popular with people going to festivals and events that are in rural areas and not easily accessed by public transport. It is also a really eco-friendly way of travel! Promote the use of sharing through other sites such as:
Liftshare
https://www.liftshare.com/uk/
Freewheelers
http://www.freewheelers.com/
Freewheelers is free and only available via the Internet. It provides an online database for people offering or requiring lifts. It is used by people traveling to work, festivals, gigs and sporting events
Greenhouse gases produced as a result of preparation; travel to/from and attendance on event can be calculated by visiting www.carbonneutral.com
Traveline (nationwide public transport routes)
www.traveline.org.uk
Sustrans (for advice on sustainable transport)
www.sustrans.org.uk
RECYCLING
Try to use as many recyclable products as possible,
Instead of plastic use biodegradable materials, such as paper carrier bags, recycled toilet paper, paper plates and cups, and use recycled stock for printing tickets, posters, flyers etc.
Think about minimising waste where possible, so encourage people to re-use things like drink containers, and use napkins instead of paper plates etc... Always ensure that any external stall holders or suppliers at your event will act in an environmentally responsible way.
Make sure that you recycle any waste generated during the event (for example, Glastonbury Festival has "Green Police" who remind audiences to be responsible with their litter). Consider using a team of volunteers specifically dedicated to recycling. Find volunteer litter pickers to go over the site afterwards, also metal detector enthusiasts, these go over the ground after Bridgwater Fair!
Recycle Somerset http://www.recyclesomerset.info/pages/tradewaste_search.asp
Recycle Now (lots of information about recycling)
www.recyclenow.com
Community Recycling Network
www.crn.org.uk
Network Recycling
www.networkrecycling.co.uk
CARBON OFFSETTING
Carbon Neutral Company
www.carbonneutral.com
The Carbon Trust
Offers advice on how businesses and the public sector can reduce carbon emissions at www.carbontrust.co.uk
ENERGY
If possible, use solar energy where possible to power your event.
The Energy Saving Trust
Offer advice on energy efficiency, especially for buildings and transport, at www.est.org.uk
NOISE POLLUTION
Be aware of the noise pollution generated by high acoustic levels at your event.
Some information here on responsibility for noise levels at outdoor events for example as contained in http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/4A323A6B-E9E9-4408-B145-0713A9087644/0/GuidanceControlNoiseAtOutdoorEvents.pdf
http://www.oxford.gov.uk/files/seealsodocs/74341/2006OutdoorEventGuidance.pdf
LIGHT POLLUTION INCLUDING PYROTECHNICS/FIREWORKS
Consider how floodlighting can be angled and contained, and the effect of your fireworks on the environment.
ACCOMMODATION
For information on a list of hotels which have been assessed for their environmental standards see www.green-business.co.uk and www.greenstop.net
World Tents
http://www.worldtents.co.uk/
Natural man-made tents and accessories including yurts, tipis, marquees, geodesic domes, historical tents, scout tents and more.
Biodegradable tent pegs
http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/category/sport-leisure-and-outdoor/
Suppliers Links:
Vegware (biodegradable cutlery and plates etc.)
www.vegware.com
Compostable bags and liners.
www.comp-bio.co.uk
Event Recycling
http://www.eventrecycling.co.uk/
A Local Printer (information & printing on recycled paper):
www.alocalprinter.com
Remarkable (recycled stationery, bags etc.)
www.remarkable.co.uk
Volunteers:
www.workersbeer.co.uk
Ashtrays
www.buttsandgum.com/index.shtml
Portable Compost Toilets:
www.naturalevent.com.au
www.thunderboxes2go.co.uk
www.comfycrappers.com
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