5 Common Greenwashing Traps at Events (And What to Do Instead)

Organising a “sustainable” event is all the rage – from plastic-free festivals to carbon-neutral conferences. But how do you know if your event’s green initiatives are the real deal or just greenwashing?

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recently found 57% of businesses had potentially misleading environmental claims. In the events world, where the average attendee produces about 1.89 kg of waste per day (1.16 kg of which goes to landfill), we can’t afford eco-hype that doesn’t deliver.

Let’s shine a light on five common greenwashing traps in event planning – and what to do instead – with Aussie examples, standards and a friendly nudge in the right direction.

1. Misleading “Biodegradable” Claims

We’ve all seen it: “This cup/plate/balloon is biodegradable!”

A “100% biodegradable” balloon after 3.5 months in industrial compost – hardly changed (zoo.org.au). Misleading biodegradable claims like this are a classic greenwashing trap to avoid.

Sounds great – except that without proper conditions, many “biodegradable” plastics or products don’t break down as advertised. A University of Tasmania study found latex balloons marketed as “100% biodegradable” failed to decompose after 4 months in soil, water, or even industrial compost. In fact, balloons labeled eco-friendly acted just like regular plastic, retaining their shape and even leaching nasty chemicals. Meanwhile, these escaped balloons wreak havoc on wildlife: seabirds are 32 times more likely to die if they ingest balloons than hard plastic (they mistake balloons for food like jellyfish). Clearly, a “biodegradable” label can be more of a marketing gimmick than a guarantee of harmlessness.

What to do instead:

Don’t be fooled by vague biodegradable claims – look for verified compostable products and the right disposal systems. In Australia, truly compostable packaging should meet the AS 4736 or AS 5810 standards (for industrial or home composting, respectively) and carry the official seedling logo with a certification number. Even then, remember that compostables only break down if they’re actually composted. (Only one state – SA – accepts compostable packaging in green bins; elsewhere in Australia these items usually end up in landfill, where they can release methane as they degrade.)

Whenever possible, skip the problematic items altogether: opt for reusable cups and cutlery over “biodegradable” single-use ones, and choose decorations that don’t fly away. (Zoos Victoria’s campaign “When Balloons Fly, Seabirds Die” urges blowing bubbles or using bunting instead of balloon releases – a fun, wildlife-friendly alternative!) By choosing certified compostable or reusable products and providing proper waste streams, you can avoid the bio-bait-and-switch and truly minimise pollution.

2. Unverified Carbon Offset Schemes

Planting trees to offset your event’s emissions or slapping “carbon neutral” on the conference website might sound responsible. However, not all carbon offset programs are created equal, and some are downright dubious. A current Federal Court case alleges that an energy company’s “carbon neutral” plan misled 400,000+ customers – the carbon credits it sold didn’t actually remove emissions as promised. More broadly, a whistleblower review of Australia’s own carbon offset scheme suggested 70–80% of credits issued may not represent real emission cuts. In other words, many offsets are just accounting tricks – paper trees that never grow or projects that would have happened anyway.

What to do instead:

First, focus on reducing your event’s carbon footprint at the source. Choose venues accessible by public transport, use energy-efficient equipment, minimise waste and meat-heavy catering – all these cut emissions upfront. For the emissions you can’t avoid, use high-quality offsets and be transparent about them. Look for projects certified by reputable standards (e.g. Gold Standard or Verra) or participate in the Australian Government’s Climate Active program, which rigorously certifies truly carbon-neutral organisations and events.

If you offset, share details with attendees: for example, “We offset 20 tonnes CO₂ via a Gold Standard reforestation project in NSW” – concrete info builds trust, while fuzzy claims raise red flags. Remember that offsetting is not a license to emit freely. Regulators like the ACCC and ASIC are watching for overblown “net zero” marketing. So do the hard yards on actual sustainability, and use offsets as the cherry on top (ensuring they’re independently verified).

An honestly carbon-neutral event – where you’ve slashed emissions and offset the rest through legitimate means – will shine far brighter than a carbon claim that’s all smoke and mirrors.

3. “Recyclable” Materials That Aren’t Locally Recyclable

Many event organisers proudly proclaim their gear is recyclable – from plastic name badge holders to polypropylene tote bags. But here’s the catch: “recyclable” does not equal recycled unless the local infrastructure exists. A material might have the recycling symbol, yet there may be no facility in your city (or country!) to actually process it. For example, Tyvek – a plastic often used for event wristbands and badges – is 100% technically recyclable, but you can’t toss it in a standard curbside bin. Most Tyvek wristbands worn at festivals or conferences will still end up in the trash. Likewise, many events switched to “compostable” bioplastic cups and cutlery thinking they were doing the right thing, only to find out later that outside of South Australia, those items usually go straight to landfill. (When compostables break down in landfill without oxygen, they emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas – oops!). And we all learned a lesson from the REDcycle soft plastics saga – tons of “recyclable” plastic bags stockpiled in warehouses because the end markets fell through. In short, recycling claims are often wishful thinking if there’s no local system to follow through.

What to do instead:

Align your event materials with what can actually be recycled or composted on site or locally. This might mean choosing paper or cardboard over laminates and plastics – e.g. paper signage and wooden cutlery that guests can toss in the paper or organics bin, rather than plastic-coated alternatives that end up as contamination. If you use compostable serveware, ensure a collection service will take it to an industrial composting facility (and tell attendees where to put it). For anything with tricky recyclability, consider take-back programs: for instance, if you must use Tyvek wristbands, you could collect them and send in bulk to a specialty recycler. Better yet, use reusable or truly recyclable alternatives – many Aussie festivals have moved to reusable cup systems and fabric wristbands made from recycled PET instead of single-use bands.

Case in point: Event name badges and lanyards

Traditional conference badges are often a cocktail of plastic holders, synthetic lanyards and printed cards – technically “recyclable” in parts, but usually binned. The result? Across Australia’s ~484,000 events per year, all those name tags contribute an estimated 34,000+ tonnes of CO₂ in production emissions and leave behind piles of landfill.

The good news:

There are genuine sustainable solutions emerging. For example, Terra Tag (an Australian company from Queensland) has introduced plastic-free name badges and lanyards made from recycled paper – even infused with seeds – that can be composted or planted after the event to literally grow wildflowers. They also provide a transparent CO₂ impact calculator for each order, so organisers can see how much carbon they’ve saved by ditching the plastic. By switching to options like these, you not only avoid greenwash – you can eliminate waste and cut carbon.

The bottom line:

Choose materials that match your waste management plan, and don’t boast about “recyclability” unless you’re sure those items will actually be recycledhere in Australia. Your attendees (and the planet) will thank you when your “sustainable” swag doesn’t quietly head to the tip.

4. Vague Renewable Energy Claims by Venues

Does your venue’s brochure brag about “running on green energy” or “using renewables” without much detail?

Many conference centres and event venues have caught on that clean energy sells – but sometimes the claims are fuzzy. A venue might have some solar panels, or purchase a portion of power from renewable sources, yet still rely mostly on the regular grid (which in Australia is still heavily fossil-fuelled). Or they might be “powered by renewables” in name only, via unverified offsets or cheap certificates that don’t equate to new green energy. Without clarity – e.g. stating 100% GreenPower (Australia’s accredited renewable electricity program) – “powered by renewable energy” can be misleading. It’s easy for a venue to imply it’s running on sunshine and wind when in reality it’s buying whatever’s on the grid and maybe offsetting a bit of carbon on the side.

What to do instead:

Pin down the specifics of a venue’s energy sourcing.

Don’t be afraid to ask:

Are you using 100% accredited GreenPower?

If not 100%, what percentage?

Do they have on-site solar or wind contributing?

Australian best-practice guidelines suggest encouraging your venue to use 100% GreenPower from the grid, or to invest in genuine renewable infrastructure. If a venue has achieved certifications or ratings, that’s a good sign: for instance, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre was the first convention centre in the world to earn a 6-Star Green Star environmental rating – meaning its design and operation met the highest sustainability benchmarks (including energy efficiency and low-carbon power).

Venues with a NABERS energy rating or those certified Carbon Neutral (Climate Active) also have verified claims. When an event site truly runs on renewables, they will usually publicise the details (e.g. “100% GreenPower since 2022” or “solar panels provide 50% of our yearly electricity”). Steer clear of vague promises like “we purchase renewable energy when possible” – that could be 5% or 50% or who knows what. Instead, choose venues with a clear, transparent energy policy. And if you’re using temporary power (like generators for an outdoor event), opt for solutions like biodiesel or solar generators over standard diesel, and announce that clearly.

In short, clarity is king: Either the lights are genuinely green, or it’s just green lighting. By insisting on details, you’ll avoid unwittingly passing on a tall tale to your attendees.

5. “Ethically Sourced” Goods with Unclear Origins

From staff T-shirts and delegate tote bags to the coffee and chocolate in your catering, events are full of products that might carry labels like “ethically sourced” or “responsibly made”.

The pitfall? Without verification, these phrases are often just feel-good fluff. “Ethically sourced” has no legal definition – a supplier could simply claim it because their factory follows local labour laws (which might be minimal), or worse, with no evidence at all. The Governance Institute of Australia warns against using vague, unsubstantiated terms such as “eco” or “ethically sourced” that aren’t backed by proof or standards.

In practice, we’ve seen “ethically sourced” wooden merchandise that had no sustainability certification, or “ethical” cotton totes that turned out to be made in sweatshops. With complex global supply chains, there’s a risk of modern slavery or environmental harm lurking behind products even when a vendor assures you otherwise. A well-meaning event organiser might boast that their lanyards or coffee beans are ethically sourced, but unless they can point to a credible certification or supply chain transparency, attendees are essentially asked to take it on faith – and greenwash thrives in those murky waters.

What to do instead:

Demand transparency and look for certifications.

When sourcing goods for your event, prefer suppliers that can prove their ethical and sustainable practices. For example, choose Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance certified coffee and tea for your catering (so you know farmers received a fair deal and eco-friendly methods were used). If you’re giving out shirts or bags, check if the cotton is organic and certified by bodies like GOTS, and if the manufacturer has an Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation or a robust Modern Slavery Act statement. For paper products, look for FSC-certified paper to ensure sustainable forestry. Australia’s Modern Slavery legislation requires large companies to report on supply chain labour risks – leverage that by asking your vendors for their latest ethical sourcing report or compliance status.

In short, be specific:

Instead of saying “our delegate gifts are ethically sourced,” you might say “our notebooks are printed locally on FSC-certified recycled paper, and our pens are made from Fair Trade rubber”. If a supplier can’t provide any independent verification or details of their ethical claims, consider alternatives who can. Sometimes the better move is to source locally or from social enterprises – for example, using a local not-for-profit caterer or Indigenous-owned business for merchandise – where you can trace the impact directly in the community. By doing the homework on your supply chain, you transform “ethically sourced” from a buzzword into a tangible reality your attendees can trust.

Bringing It All Together: Keep It Real and Sustainable

Planning a truly sustainable event in Australia (or anywhere) means looking beyond the green buzzwords and making sure your good intentions stand up to scrutiny. The reward? Not only do you avoid the reputational and legal risks of greenwashing, you also get the real environmental wins that those dubious claims only pretend to have.

Here’s a quick recap:

• Ditch the misleading “biodegradable” gimmicks and use certified compostable or reusable alternatives

• Cut emissions and choose quality offsets instead of leaning on creative carbon accounting

• Pick materials that will actually be recycled or composted in your region

• Insist on clear renewable energy sourcing from venues

• Verify ethical sourcing for the products and services that make up your event.

By following these principles, you’ll align with Australian best practices (from ACCC truth-in-marketing guidelines to environmental standards) and contribute to genuine sustainability progress.

Remember, it’s okay to start small and be honest – for instance, you might tell attendees “We’re providing water stations instead of bottled water to cut plastic, and aiming for a 50% waste recycling rate – here’s how you can help”. Transparency and education go a long way.

As Terra Tag’s example with eco-friendly name badges shows, innovation and transparency can solve old problems like event waste. When in doubt, tap into resources like the City of Sydney’s Sustainable Event Guidelines or industry groups (e.g. the Sustainable Event Alliance) for practical tips.

Ultimately, authenticity is key – Aussie audiences have a keen nose for greenwash, but they’ll rally behind sincere efforts to do better. So avoid those five traps, keep a sense of humour (and humility) about the journey, and celebrate the genuine green strides you make. Your event can educate and inspire just by getting it right, setting a higher bar for sustainability in our events industry. And that’s something worth applauding – with reusable clappers, of course, not plastic confetti! 🎉🌏

References:

1. ACCC – Environmental claims and greenwashing internet sweep results accc.gov.au

2. DRPG Group – Event waste statistics (1.89 kg waste per attendee/day) drpgroup.com

3. Sea Shepherd/UTAS – Study on “biodegradable” balloons not degrading seashepherd.org.au seashepherd.org.au

4. Zoos Victoria/CSIRO – Balloons 32× more deadly to seabirds than hard plastic zoo.org.au

5. ACCC Press Release – 57% of businesses’ green claims potentially misleading accc.gov.au

6. The Guardian – EnergyAustralia “Go Neutral” case on offsets not removing CO₂ theguardian.com

7. ANU Law – Carbon credit integrity concerns (70–80% credits lack integrity) lrsj.anu.edu.au

8. Climate Active (KangaNews) – Use of accredited carbon offsets by Australian firms kanganews.com

9. Tyvek Recycling Info – Tyvek wristbands recyclable but not in curbside bins wrist-band.com

10. ABC News – Compostable packaging often landfilled, only SA accepts in green bins abc.net.auabc.net.au

11. Guardian (Aus) – REDcycle soft plastics program collapse (stockpiled plastics) theguardian.com

12. Terra Tag PR – Eco-friendly name badges made from recycled seed paper, plantable prlog.orgprlog.org

13. Terra Tag (website) – “Real deal” compostable name tags, fully recyclable, no plastic terratag.com.au

14. NSW Govt Event Guide – Venues should use 100% GreenPower for events nsw.gov.au

15. Wikipedia (MCEC) – Melbourne Convention Centre 6-Star Green Star rating (world-first) en.wikipedia.org

16. Governance Institute – Warning against vague terms like “ethically sourced” governanceinstitute.com.au

Citations

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