The Hidden Environmental Impact of Events: How Much Waste Do We Really Produce?
Updated 29 June 2025
Executive Summary: Key Insights
Significant Individual Footprint: The average conference attendee produces approximately 1.89 kg of waste per day.
Major Waste Streams: The most significant waste categories are food waste (up to 40% of catered food), single-use plastics, paper products, and construction/décor materials.
The Real Cost of Waste: Waste disposal is a major line item for event organisers, driven by landfill levies (e.g., up to $146/tonne in NSW), labour, and transport costs.
Regulatory Landscape: All Australian states are implementing bans on single-use plastics, with regulations like the ACT's Plastic Reduction Act 2021 creating plastic-free zones for public events.
Broader Environmental Impacts: Beyond landfill, event waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions (methane), water and soil pollution, and biodiversity disruption.
Events—whether intimate corporate meetings or large-scale festivals—often leave a significant environmental footprint. Beyond the visible litter after the crowds leave, there are hidden costs: resource depletion, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions incurred by the event’s entire lifecycle. For organisers and attendees alike, understanding these less apparent environmental impacts is essential if we’re to run cleaner, greener gatherings in Australia.
In this article, we’ll dig into just how much waste events generate (you might be shocked by the numbers), examine why it matters, and explore actionable strategies to help reduce the environmental toll. From a Perth business conference to a music festival in Melbourne, sustainable choices can make a huge difference. The goal is to make sustainable event planning achievable, cost-effective, and even advantageous for your reputation. Let’s shine a light on the waste we produce and how we can do better.
The Scope of Event Waste in Australia
Australia’s events industry’s environmental impact is often overlooked. Events of all sizes—be they conferences, festivals, community fairs, or sports matches—generate significant waste, much of which ends up in landfills or is improperly disposed of. Think about the last big event you attended: the piles of discarded food containers, promo flyers strewn about, empty bottles and cups overflowing from bins. Now multiply that by thousands of events across the country.
Understanding the scope and types of waste generated is essential for developing sustainable event waste management plans. We’re not just talking about a bit of litter; we’re talking about tonnes of waste per event in some cases. Each year, millions of Australians attend ticketed events (not to mention countless workshops and meetings), and each of those events has a waste footprint that we need to reckon with.
How Much Waste Do Events in Australia Generate?
Annual Waste Snapshot:
Australia generates over 75.8 million tonnes of waste annually. A substantial portion comes from events and mass gatherings, where the waste footprint is amplified by large crowds, single-use items, and temporary facilities. While it’s hard to pin down exactly what share of the national waste comes from events, we know that when tens of thousands of people come together, the waste adds up quickly.
Festivals:
A single multi-day festival can generate several tonnes of waste. For example, the famous Glastonbury Festival in the UK reported up to 2,000 tonnes of waste for ~200,000 attendees over five days. Australian festivals, though generally smaller in scale, face comparable challenges and proportions. In fact, an estimated 80% of the trash at Australian summer music festivals is generated and left behind by campers themselves—things like abandoned tents, sleeping bags, camp chairs, and of course food and drink containers. This “leave it and leave” behavior means festival organizers often contend with fields of discarded gear once the music fades, dramatically increasing clean-up waste.
Conferences:
The average conference attendee produces approximately 1.89 kg of waste per day, mostly from single-use items like coffee cups, water bottles, and printed materials. Consider a three-day industry conference at a Sydney hotel with 500 delegates: that could be around 2,800 kg (2.8 tonnes) of waste generated by attendees over the event, just in disposables and consumables! Multiply that across hundreds of conferences nationwide and you see why event organisers are starting to pay close attention to waste streams. The use of catered meals (think of all those sandwich wrappers and serviettes), goody bags filled with brochures, and name badge throwaways all contribute to the pile.
Community & Sporting Events:
Fun runs, city festivals, and sports matches generate waste too—often in the form of water bottles, food packaging, and promotional materials. For instance, a city marathon can leave streets littered with paper cups and sponges from hydration stations. A single AFL grand final at the MCG will result in tens of thousands of pie wrappers, beer cups, and ticket stubs. These might be cleaned up overnight, but ultimately much of that waste heads to landfill if not sorted properly.
Australia’s love of events—from the local weekend markets to New Year’s fireworks in Sydney—means we collectively produce a lot of event waste. One report by Clean Up Australia noted that of the 67 million tonnes of waste Australians generated in 2017, a huge chunk came from commercial and industrial activities (where events would be included), and sadly, a large portion still went to landfill. Clearly, there’s vast room for improvement.
Anatomy of Event Waste: A Deeper Dive
1. Food Waste
Scale:
At Australian events, up to 40% of catered food goes uneaten. This waste not only represents lost resources and money but also generates methane emissions when sent to landfills (food rotting without oxygen produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas).
Case in Point:
The Sydney Royal Easter Show has reported that food waste was one of its largest waste categories, prompting extensive composting and food rescue initiatives. Similarly, many corporate events find that heaps of sandwich platters and buffet items get tossed if attendee numbers are overestimated.
Impact:
Wasted food = wasted water, energy, and effort. Decomposing food in landfill produces methane, which is about 25 times more potent than CO₂ as a greenhouse gas in the short term.
Solutions:
Partner with local food rescue organisations like OzHarvest or FoodBank. Offer smaller portion sizes or “on-demand” catering. Educate attendees with small nudges, like signage at buffet stations (“Take only what you'll eat. Love food, hate waste!”).
2. Single-Use Plastics
Common Items:
Cutlery, plates, straws, coffee cups with plastic linings, water bottles, and plastic wrap dominate event waste bins.
Impact:
Plastics take centuries to decompose, breaking into microplastics that contaminate soil and water. Wildlife can ingest or get entangled in this litter.
Regulatory Note:
All states and territories have introduced bans on many single-use plastic items. The ACT has even gone a step further: under the Plastic Reduction Act 2021, public events in Canberra can be officially declared single-use-plastic-free zones.
Solutions:
Transition to biodegradable or compostable alternatives. Better yet, encourage reusables: introduce “bring your own” policies for water bottles or coffee cups. Sustainable event supplies — like compostable packaging, and eco-friendly event badges — are now readily available and are essential tools.
Example: The Falls Festival in Lorne successfully implemented a plastic-free initiative, offering compostable food ware and water refill stations, which dramatically cut down plastic waste.
3. Textiles and Merchandise Waste
Examples:
Branded T-shirts, tote bags, lanyards, promotional caps, banners, and flags are often produced for events and then discarded.
Impact:
Synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon) shed microfibres, contributing to microplastic pollution. Producing cotton or polyester requires significant water, energy, and chemicals. In landfill, natural textiles can produce methane, while synthetics just sit there for eons.
Solutions:
Use sustainably sourced materials like organic cotton or recycled PET. Even better, limit physical merch. Opt for digital giveaways or experiences instead of stuff. Plan for donation or textile recycling for any dated banners or surplus shirts.
4. Paper Waste
Sources:
Flyers, brochures, printed schedules, programs, tickets, and notepads.
Impact:
Paper production is resource-intensive. Improper disposal or contamination (like a coffee spill) often leads to it ending up in landfill. Glossy or laminated papers can be even harder to recycle.
Solutions: Go digital wherever possible.
Switch to mobile apps or QR codes. If you must print, use recycled paper and soy-based inks. Consider innovative materials like seed paper, which turns a waste product into something plantable instead of trash. Provide clearly marked paper recycling bins.
5. E-Waste
Examples:
Batteries, light-up wristbands, RFID badges, electronic signage.
Impact:
E-waste contains hazardous substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium that leach into soil and water. Globally, only about 20% of e-waste is properly recycled.
Solutions:
Prioritise reusability. Use rental services for electronic equipment. For attendee tech, have a collection bin post-event specifically for electronics, and partner with an e-waste recycler.
6. Construction and Décor Waste
Sources:
Temporary stages, exhibition booths, marquee tents, flooring, PVC banners, and carpet.
Impact:
These materials often consist of mixed or non-recyclable components and can contribute heavily to landfill. A single trade show can fill dumpsters with broken-down booth materials.
Solutions:
Opt for modular and reusable systems. Rent décor and props. For signage, use generic branding that can be reused, or use digital signage. Donate usable materials (e.g., carpet squares to community centers or wood planks to Men’s Sheds).
7. Unsorted Waste and Contamination
The Problem:
Even if you have recycling bins, if they are contaminated with the wrong items (food in the paper bin), the entire batch often goes to landfill.
Impact:
Contaminated recyclables cannot be recycled and will be diverted to landfill, often incurring higher processing costs.
Solutions:
Provide clear signage on bins and even staffed waste stations. "Eco volunteers" at bin stations can dramatically reduce contamination. Ensure your event staff and vendors also follow the waste separation rules. Investing in pre-event planning and training yields much better waste outcomes.
Why This Matters: The Full Environmental Picture
The sheer volume and variety of waste generated by events create a ripple effect of environmental consequences. It's important for event professionals to see the full picture of an event’s environmental footprint:
Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
Waste in landfill produces methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. The manufacturing and transportation of single-use items also have a significant carbon footprint. Big events can have carbon footprints in the thousands of tonnes of CO₂.
Landfill Overflow:
Australian landfills are filling up. Events that generate tonnes of trash contribute to this strain and perpetuate the "Not In My Backyard" issue of finding new landfill sites.
Resource Depletion:
Events consume vast quantities of single-use products made from non-renewable or resource-intensive materials like petroleum, trees, and minerals. This perpetuates a linear "take-make-waste" economy instead of a circular one.
Water and Soil Pollution:
Improper disposal of waste can lead to leachate, with plastics and chemicals contaminating local waterways and soils. Rain can wash pollutants from an event site into stormwater drains, harming aquatic life.
Biodiversity and Habitat Disruption:
Outdoor events can damage vegetation, compact soil, and displace wildlife. Litter poses direct dangers to animals, which can ingest or become entangled in it. Leftover rubbish can also attract pests, altering local wildlife behavior.
Community Impact:
Local communities bear the brunt of event waste issues through litter and cleanup costs. Events that manage waste poorly can face complaints and damage their reputation, while those that do it well can win local goodwill.
Long-Term Sustainability:
Rampant event waste is incompatible with Australia’s move towards a circular economy. Addressing waste can make an event an exemplar of sustainability—attracting sponsors, attendees, and positive media.
In summary, waste might be the most visible environmental consequence of events, but its effects extend far beyond what meets the eye. The encouraging part is that awareness is growing. A survey found about 73% of Australians prefer attending events with environmentally friendly practices. People want to have fun, and feel good about it.
The Economic Cost of Waste Disposal for Event Organisers
Managing waste effectively is not just an environmental concern—it’s also a significant financial consideration.
1. Direct Waste Disposal Costs
Bin Hire and Collection Fees: Waste management companies charge based on bin size, waste type, and number of collections. A 240L wheelie bin might cost
25–25–50 per pickup, while larger skip bins can cost several hundred dollars each time they’re hauled away.
Landfill Levies: This is a state-specific tax per tonne of waste sent to landfill. It is meant to encourage recycling. For instance, NSW charges up to $146 per tonne in the metro area. If your event produces 5 tonnes of general waste, the levy component alone could be over $700.
2. Labour Costs
On-Site Waste Management: Hiring staff or contractors to manage waste during the event adds to costs, especially with evening or weekend penalty rates.
Post-Event Cleanup: After the last attendee leaves, a cleanup crew for even a mid-sized outdoor festival can cost thousands of dollars. If you underestimate cleanup needs, you could face overtime charges or penalties from the venue owner.
3. Costs of Recycling and Sorting
Contamination Penalties: If your recycling bins are heavily contaminated, the waste contractor may charge you the higher general waste rate, or even an extra sorting fee.
Specialised Waste Streams: Items like e-waste, batteries, or hazardous materials require separate handling and often higher fees for proper disposal.
4. Transportation Costs
Distance to Disposal Facilities: If your event is in a remote area, transporting waste can be a big expense due to fuel and time.
Frequency of Haulage: Multiple trips to empty skips or haul loads cost money. Compacting waste on-site can reduce the number of required trips.
5. Penalties and Fines for Non-Compliance
Regulatory Fines: Failing to meet local council waste management requirements can lead to fines or the loss of your venue bond (often thousands of dollars).
Single-Use Plastics Bans: Breaking the rules of legislation like the ACT's Plastic Reduction Act can result in fines.
Reputation Damage: Failing to meet sustainability pledges can result in public criticism, affecting ticket sales and sponsorship for future events.
6. Long-Term Economic Benefits of Sustainability
Cost Savings Through Waste Reduction: The less you use and throw away, the less you spend on both procurement and disposal.
Sponsorship and Grants: Leadership in sustainability can attract sponsors who value green initiatives and unlock government grants.
Improved Attendee Satisfaction: A reputation for sustainability can attract a bigger, more loyal audience, leading to better ticket sales.
Long-Term Viability: Building sustainability in now means you are prepared for future regulations and may run the event more cheaply over time by investing in reusables.
Your 10-Point Plan for a Greener Event
Quick Checklist
Here are 10 proven strategies to plan and host events that tread more lightly on the Earth.
✅ Implement a Green Event Checklist: Start with sustainability from day one. Use a checklist to set targets for waste, energy, and transport.
✅ Choose Sustainable Venues: Look for venues with environmental certifications (like NABERS or Green Star), on-site recycling, and energy-efficient infrastructure.
✅ Prioritise Digital Materials: Switch to event apps, QR codes, and websites for schedules and tickets.
✅ Adopt Sustainable Catering: Opt for plant-based menus, use local ingredients, insist on reusable serveware, and partner with food rescue charities.
✅ Eradicate Single-Use Plastics: Ban plastic bottles, straws, and cutlery. Provide water refill stations.
✅ Switch to Eco-Friendly Badges & Signage: Ditch PVC name badges for options made from recycled or plantable seed paper.
✅ Encourage Green Transportation: Promote public transport, facilitate carpooling, and provide bike racks.
✅ Collaborate with Eco-Conscious Vendors: Choose suppliers who share your commitment to sustainability.
✅ Engage and Educate Attendees: Let your audience know about your green initiatives to encourage participation.
✅ Monitor, Measure, and Share Your Impact: Track your waste diversion rates and share your success.
1. Implement a Green Event Checklist
Start planning with sustainability in mind from day one. Use Terra Tag’s Green Event Checklist (a free resource we’ve created) to guide every stage of your event planning. This checklist covers core areas like waste management, energy use, transportation, and attendee engagement. By having a checklist, you won’t overlook things like “Order recycle bins” or “Confirm caterer’s sustainable packaging” in the frenzy of planning. It keeps everyone (you, your team, vendors) accountable and on the same page with green goals.
Focus on key categories: Venue, Catering, Materials, Transport, Comms. For each, set targets (e.g., “at least 50% waste diversion from landfill” or “no single-use plastic water bottles”). Incorporate these into your run sheet and vendor briefing packs. In Australia, some councils provide sustainable event guidelines – check if your local council has one and incorporate it.
Having a documented plan also helps if you need to report outcomes later (for your own CSR report or to meet venue requirements). It essentially becomes your sustainability project plan.
2. Choose Sustainable Venues
Where you hold your event can make a big difference. Look for Australian venues with strong sustainability credentials. What does that mean? Venues that have energy-efficient infrastructure, good waste management practices, and possibly environmental certifications.
What to look for: Venues with solar panels or GreenPower electricity, water-saving fixtures, recycling and composting systems on-site, and any green building ratings such as NABERS or Green Star in Australia. Many major convention centres (Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney ICC) have robust sustainability programs – they might have a Green Star rating or ISO 20121 certification for sustainable events.
Why it matters: Choosing a venue committed to sustainability reduces the overall footprint of your event and can make execution easier. A venue that already has triple-bin waste stations and a policy to cut single-use plastics will take a lot of burden off you to set those up. It also “sets the tone” – attendees notice if a venue is eco-friendly (rainwater harvesting on display, or messaging about waste reduction over the PA). It signals that your event is part of a broader community effort in sustainability. Additionally, some venues offer incentives or discounts for events that align with their green initiatives – you might save money by using in-house digital signage instead of printing banners, for example.
3. Prioritise Sustainable (or Digital) Materials
Every item you don’t have to physically produce for the event is one less item that could become waste. So, whenever possible, go digital or choose eco-friendly materials.
Go Digital: Use event apps or websites for schedules, ticketing, and even networking. Australian audiences are quite tech-savvy and generally willing to use an app or QR code instead of paper. Digital ticket QR codes on phones have become standard for many events – no need to print tickets. For schedules and programs, a mobile-friendly PDF or an interactive agenda in an app works well. Digital signage at the venue can replace paper posters for directions and schedules.
Examples: Instead of printed brochures, consider a PDF download or a dedicated webpage. Many conferences now email slide decks and handouts to attendees rather than printing them. If you’re concerned about accessibility, have a few printed copies on hand for those who truly need them, but default to digital. Feedback forms can be done through online surveys accessed via a QR code displayed at the event, rather than paper forms.
If Printing is Necessary: Sometimes, physical materials are unavoidable (name badges, maybe some signage). In those cases, use recycled or FSC-certified paper and eco-friendly inks. Terra Tag’s own seed paper badges and table cards are a great option – these are not only made from recycled materials but can be planted after use, turning into wildflowers instead of waste. If you need signage, consider printing on recyclable materials and avoid foam core boards (there are recyclable cardboard alternatives). Design banners without dates so they can be reused for future events.
By cutting down on printed matter and swag, you’ll also save on design and printing costs (and shipping, and storage… the benefits cascade). And attendees will appreciate not having to lug around heavy conference bags stuffed with paper that they’ll likely toss anyway.
4. Sustainable Catering and Food Management
Food and drink are a big part of event hospitality – and a big source of waste. Tackling this area can greatly reduce what ends up in the bin.
Menu Choices: Opt for menus that have a lower environmental footprint. Plant-based or vegetarian options typically generate less CO₂ in their production than red meat-heavy menus. You don’t have to go totally vegan (unless you want to make a statement), but offering a predominantly plant-based selection or at least giving attendees a choice can reduce the impact. Also, use local and seasonal ingredients where possible to cut down on food miles. For example, choose an Australian wine over an imported one, seasonal fruits over out-of-season ones that had to be flown in. Many caterers will accommodate this if you express it as a priority.
Serve with Less Waste: Avoid single-use serveware. If the venue has dishwashing facilities, insist on reusable cutlery, plates, and cups. For coffee/tea, consider a washable mug system or at least provide compostable cups (and ensure a compost bin is provided, because a compostable cup in general waste is a waste). Offer water jugs or dispensers instead of individual water bottles – Australians are quite used to this now at events, especially with many places banning plastic bottles.
Portioning: Buffet style can lead to lots of leftovers. Consider plated meals or “served” buffets where servers hand portions to attendees (people tend to waste less when given a reasonable portion than when they self-serve an overloaded plate). Another idea: forego the over-abundance. It’s become common at conferences to provide continuous coffee breaks with heaps of pastries, etc. Many progressive events schedule slightly shorter breaks or provide just enough refreshments, not a lavish spread that ends up half-eaten.
Food Waste Plan: No matter what, there will be some food waste. Plan for it. As mentioned, partner with food rescue like OzHarvest or SecondBite beforehand. If you let them know you’ll likely have surplus at day’s end, they can coordinate a pickup to donate it to local charities. For what can’t be donated (half-eaten or perished stuff), arrange for composting. Some venues have their own organics recycling, otherwise see if a local composting service (or even community garden) can take it. It’s better in a compost heap than a methane-belching landfill.
Encourage Reusables from Attendees: If appropriate, tell attendees it’s a green event and encourage them to bring a reusable coffee cup or water bottle. Provide refill stations for water (as simple as tap points or large dispensers). At many festivals now you’ll see people come with their reusable cups and bottles—why not at conferences too? It’s becoming normalized.
5. Reduce Single-Use Plastics Everywhere
We touched on catering, but also look at other single-use plastics at your event. This includes things like lanyards, name badge holders, packaging for merchandise, giveaway items, etc.
Audit Your Event Supplies: Go through every item you plan to provide and ask, is there a plastic-free alternative? For instance, instead of plastic badge holders, use paper badges with a loop (Terra Tag’s biodegradable name tags don’t require a plastic sleeve at all). Instead of vinyl wristbands, use ones made of fabric or paper (and ideally biodegradable)
Good news: with all the plastic bans, the market is full of alternatives now in Australia. You can find compostable bioplastic or paper straws, wooden cutlery, plant-based cellophane for packaging, etc.
Eliminate Bottled Water: It deserves repeating because it’s one of the simplest impactful actions. Provide water coolers or fountains. If you’re worried about making money off drinks, perhaps give each attendee one reusable bottle and have refill stations, and still sell other beverages. Many big events have stopped selling plain bottled water or have significantly reduced it.
Swag and Gifts: If you give out goody bags or promo items, avoid plasticky trinkets. They often end up in the bin and are a waste of money and resources. If you must give something, choose useful, durable items (and eco-friendly, like a steel pen or a jute shopping bag instead of a plastic pen or bag). Or give experiences (a voucher code, etc.) instead of physical goods.
Example of Success: The Adelaide Fringe Festival moved to compostable packaging for all its food vendors when SA’s single-use plastics ban came in. They provided clearly marked bins and partnered with a composter. As a result, they diverted a huge volume of waste from landfill and avoided a lot of plastic litter in the city. This shows that when regulations push it, events can adapt quickly and still run smoothly.
6. Eco-Friendly Name Badges and Signage
Since name badges and lanyards are Terra Tag’s specialty, it’s worth highlighting this as a strategy: use products made from recycled or plantable materials for your event credentials. Traditional PVC plastic name badges, clips, and nylon lanyards contribute to waste and often can’t be recycled easily. By switching to alternatives, you eliminate a waste stream entirely.
Use seed paper badges or badges made from recycled card instead of plastic ones. These can be designed beautifully and printed with soy inks. As shown in the first part of this article, they look great and serve the purpose without the plastic waste. Attendees often find them novel and memorable (“You can plant it after? That’s so cool!”).
Pair them with biodegradable lanyards, like those made from bamboo fibre, organic cotton, or recycled PET. Terra Tag offers 100% eco-friendly lanyards that are sturdy but break down much faster than synthetic ones, and contain no nasty plastics.
As a bonus, include a tiny note or QR code on the badge explaining how to recycle or plant it. This engages attendees in the sustainability story and ensures they handle it correctly post-event.
For signage, consider renting digital signage or using screens. If physical signs are needed, print on reusable pull-up banners (that you can use next time) or on fabric that can be folded and kept, rather than foam boards. Some events have moved to chalkboards or writeable LED boards for things like agendas that change daily, to avoid daily reprints.
Integrating these solutions not only cuts waste but also often looks more premium. A wooden badge or cloth banner can lend a classy, thoughtful aesthetic to your event’s branding.
7. Encourage Green Transportation
Transportation of attendees can be a major indirect source of emissions (and sometimes litter, if people consume on their way). While you might not control how people get there, you can influence it:
Promote Public Transport: When communicating with attendees, highlight public transport options. For example, if your event is in downtown Sydney, mention the train station or light rail stop nearby and provide a link to the timetable. Possibly negotiate with local transit for free or discounted rides for ticket holders (some large events do this, e.g., Melbourne’s Grand Prix ticket includes tram travel to the circuit). Fewer cars means less air pollution and usually less trash (since people aren’t bringing things in cars that they then leave behind).
Carpooling and Rideshares: Encourage attendees to carpool if they must drive. This can be done by setting up a carpool forum or using an app. For staff and volunteers, organise shuttles or carpool groups. Some conferences have started giving small perks like reserved parking spots for carpoolers with 3+ people per car.
Cycling: Provide bike racks or a secure bike parking area if feasible, and mention it in your info (“Yes, there will be bike parking and even a quick tune-up station courtesy of [Local Bike Shop]”). In cities like Brisbane or Perth with active cycling communities, you might be surprised how many will pedal to a daytime event if they know there’s a safe place to lock up.
Electric Vehicles: If you have VIP transport or shuttle buses, see if you can use electric or hybrid vehicles. For instance, some councils have electric buses that could be hired for shuttling between a train station and venue. Not only does this cut emissions, it’s visible and can be part of your event’s green narrative.
This strategy is as much about emissions as waste, but it’s all part of the sustainable event picture. Also, if fewer people drive, you might reduce the need for things like large parking lot management (which sometimes includes handing out parking stubs, etc., minor waste but it adds up).
8. Collaborate with Eco-Conscious Vendors and Partners
You don’t have to do it all alone. Work with suppliers who already have sustainability baked into their operations:
Caterers: Choose catering companies that use organic or local foods and have minimal-waste practices. Many caterers now advertise “100% compostable packaging” or “zero-waste kitchen” – if you find one like that, they’ll align well with your goals and often handle a lot of the details (they might bring their own bins, for example).
Audio/Visual and Staging: Discuss with your AV or production companies about reducing waste (less paper handouts for tech schedules, using LED lighting to cut power, etc.). Some production companies actively manage their environmental impact and will be glad you asked.
Printers and Swag suppliers: If you need printed materials or merchandise, pick ones known for sustainable products. There are printers that specialise in vegetable inks and recycled papers. Swag suppliers might offer a whole “eco range” of products.
Audit Vendors: It could be worthwhile to have a quick sustainability questionnaire for your major vendors. Ask questions like “Do you have a sustainability policy?” “How do you handle waste in your service delivery?” This not only signals to them that you care (so they’d better step up their game at your event), but it also helps you choose between vendors. You might even incorporate some sustainability requirements in contracts (e.g., the exhibition builder must take back and reuse their materials, not just trash them).
Partner with Recycling/Compost Services: For example, partner with Container Deposit Scheme operators in states that have 10c refunds. They might set up branded recycling bins and take the containers for you (they keep the refunds as their payment). Or partner with a local farm or composter for food waste – maybe they’ll take your compostables free in exchange for a shout-out in event communications.
Collaborating spreads out the work and taps into expertise. Vendors often have great ideas from their past experiences (a savvy caterer might suggest, “Hey, we’ve done a buffet with no individual packaging by doing X, Y, Z”). It also builds a community of practice – by pushing your vendors to be greener, you’re influencing those companies in the long run as well.
9. Engage Attendees in Sustainability
Your attendees are stakeholders in this too. Engaging them not only helps achieve your goals (they are the ones who ultimately decide which bin to use, after all) but can also enrich their experience.
Pre-Event Education: Use your registration emails or social media to let attendees know the event is aiming to be sustainable. You can share tips like “We’re eliminating single-use plastics, so bring your water bottle!” or “There will be recycling and compost bins on site – please use them correctly 🙂.” When people know the why (“help us divert waste from landfill and reduce our carbon footprint”), they’re more likely to cooperate.
On-Site Nudges: Clear signage is crucial. Not just at bins, but maybe a few info posters or slides: “This event is carbon-neutral” or “We saved 500 coffee cups from landfill today thanks to you using your reusable mugs!” Little facts or updates can make people feel part of a collective effort. Consider short announcements: e.g., the MC could say at the opening, “Quick note: we’re striving for a zero-waste event, so you’ll notice our compostable plates and numerous recycling stations. Thank you for pitching in to make this a success.”
Interactive Elements: You could gamify waste reduction. Perhaps have a live tally of waste diverted (“We’ve composted 50 kg of food scraps so far!”). Some events do competitions like encouraging attendees to post a photo of their sustainable actions (refilling bottle, using public transport to the event) with a hashtag, with a chance to win a small prize. This not only encourages good behavior, but also spreads the message to a wider audience via social posts.
Attendee Involvement: Depending on the event, you might involve attendees directly – e.g., a community festival might host a workshop or info stall on recycling. A business conference might have a panel on corporate sustainability (where you can subtly mention how the event is walking the talk). If your attendees are likely to be keen (say, a sustainability expo), you could recruit some as volunteer “green ambassadors” to help others sort waste.
Post-Event Follow-Up: Share the results. People love to see impact. In a thank-you email or on your website, tell attendees, “Thanks to your help, we diverted 85% of waste from landfill – here’s what we achieved: X kg composted, Y kg recycled, only Z kg to landfill. That’s the equivalent of CO₂ saving of ABC kilos and will help fertilize local farms via compost.” This reinforces positive behavior and could inspire them to expect/want the same at other events.
Engaging attendees turns sustainability from a behind-the-scenes logistical thing into part of the event experience and culture. It can actually enhance the sense of community and purpose at your gathering.
10. Monitor and Measure Impact
What gets measured gets managed – and improved. Put in place ways to track your sustainability performance during and after the event.
Track Waste Outputs: Coordinate with your waste contractor to get figures on how much waste (in each category) was collected. Many will provide a waste report if asked. If not by default, specify in the contract that you want weights or volume estimates of landfill, recycling, and compost collected. Some venues that manage waste in-house can give this data too (e.g., Melbourne Convention Centre provides event waste data to clients on request).
Carbon Calculators: Consider using a carbon footprint calculator for events. There are tools (and consultants) that can estimate the emissions from things like electricity use, travel, catering, etc. If it’s a large event, you might invest in a formal carbon footprint study, which can then be offset (purchasing carbon offsets to make the event “carbon neutral”). Even if not, measuring gives you baseline to improve on next time.
Survey Attendees: You can include a couple of sustainability-related questions in your post-event survey. “Did you notice our sustainability initiatives? (yes/no)” “How important is it to you that events are environmentally friendly?” This gauges audience reception and can justify your efforts to stakeholders.
Publish and Celebrate: If you have good results, shout it out! Publish a short sustainability report or an infographic to share on LinkedIn or in industry media. This not only boosts your event’s reputation but also contributes to broader knowledge – other event organisers see it and learn what’s possible. It also closes the loop with attendees as mentioned.
Continuous Improvement: Use the data and feedback to brainstorm what can be better next time. Maybe you hit a 70% recycling rate – great, but what was in the 30% landfill that could be reduced? Perhaps you found lots of compostable cups in the wrong bin – so next time, maybe invest in better bin signage or more volunteer guides. Make sustainability a standard part of your event debrief: discuss what went well and what to tweak.
By monitoring your impact, you turn sustainability into a concrete part of event success, alongside other KPIs like attendance or revenue. Over time, you’ll build up best practices specific to your event or organisation. And importantly, you’ll be able to see and communicate the difference you’re making.
Bonus: Incorporate Sustainability into Event Branding
This is more of a communications strategy but worth noting: make sustainability part of your event’s brand identity.
Use eco-friendly messaging in your marketing (“Join us for the Greenest tech summit in Australia” or “Our conference is proudly carbon-neutral and zero-waste”). This sets expectations and attracts like-minded attendees and sponsors.
Feature any green certifications or partnerships on your website (e.g., if your event is certified by Sustainable Events Alliance or similar, display that badge).
During the event, visually show off green initiatives (like a prominent “This stage backdrop is made of recycled materials” sign, or having staff wear t-shirts that say “Ask me about our green efforts!”). It sparks conversations and awareness.
If appropriate, use hashtags like #ZeroWasteEvent or #GreenEvents when posting about your efforts on social channels.
Branding your event as sustainable can be a unique selling point and create a narrative that makes it stand out in a crowded events market. Just be sure to walk the talk; nothing will draw criticism faster than greenwashing (saying you’re green without real action). But with everything we’ve covered, you’ll have plenty of genuine action to back it up!
By adopting these strategies, event organisers can drastically reduce the environmental impact of their events, save costs, protect the planet, and meet the growing demand for eco-friendly practices. In Australia, we’re fortunate to have an engaged public, increasing corporate responsibility, and support from governments to make events more sustainable. It’s a journey—start with a few changes and build on them each time.
Each event that implements these ideas not only reduces its own footprint but also educates everyone involved that sustainability is the new norm. And that’s our endgame: making green events standard practice, so that in a few years we won’t even need to call them “green events” – they’ll just be “events,” done the right way.
Let’s Make Sustainability the Norm for Events
The environmental cost of events is undeniable, but we have the power to change this narrative. With thoughtful planning and a bit of creativity, events can be both memorable and environmentally responsible. Importantly, sustainable events aren’t just good for the planet—they’re often more appealing to attendees and sponsors.
If you’re looking to make your next event as sustainable as possible, Terra Tag offers a variety of products and expertise to support your green goals—from plantable name badges to recycled-paper event stationery.
Let’s work together to leave a positive impact. Reach out to us at Terra Tag or learn about our eco-friendly event supplies.
Your Questions Answered
Q: What are the most sustainable name tags for events?
A: The most sustainable options avoid plastic entirely. Look for name badges made from 100% recycled paper or, for a memorable touch, plantable seed paper that can be grown after the event. Pair them with lanyards made from biodegradable materials like 100% undyed cotton.
Q: How can I reduce waste at a large conference?
A: Focus on the biggest waste streams: go digital with your program, eliminate bottled water by providing refill stations, work with the caterer to use reusable serveware, and choose eco-friendly name badges that don't require plastic holders.
Q: Are eco-friendly event supplies more expensive?
A: Not necessarily. While some sustainable items may have a higher upfront cost, they often lead to savings elsewhere. For example, encouraging reusable cups saves on the cost of buying and disposing of hundreds of single-use cups. Reducing overall consumption is always the most cost-effective strategy.
