Event Guidelines

Sustainable Events Planning & Communication Guideline

When planning your event prepare a written Environmental Policy, which can be shared with suppliers, stallholders, speakers and patrons. Depending on the event, this may be as simple as a one-page document that says stallholders are required to use compostable/ biodegradable packaging, be plastic bag and water bottle free, and other initiatives.
Refer to Council’s guidelines for waste management and sustainable transport.
For indoor events, consider a venue with as much natural light and natural ventilation as possible.
Use power generators that create the least pollution.
Give patrons the option to offset their carbon, or have a net-zero-carbon event.
Ensure water fixtures and amenities are low-flow and conserve water.
Measure the amount of energy, water and waste your event is using, create a baseline so you can track your results each year and your environmental footprint.
Partner with local environmental groups to improve to Noosa’s natural assets and environment, such as Landcare, Coastcare and the Surfrider Foundation. Include a donation to a local initiative in your ticket price and promote the benefits.

Let your attendees, stakeholders, stallholders and suppliers know about your sustainability goals in the lead up to your event and after afterwards.
Electronic communication channels such as email, social media, radio and television are preferable to those involving printed media. Where paper is used, choose recycled material and recycle left over paper.
Promote environmentally friendly actions you wish to encourage, such as active travel, reusable bags, public transport and waste minimisation.
Promote the event with community groups that align with the environmentally friendly actions you wish to encourage, such as land care, river catchment and cycling groups.
Research shows most event attendees are happy to pay a little more for a meal or drink served in environmentally friendly packaging - so substitute single-use plastics for greener alternatives and promote what you are doing with some simple signage at the point of sale.

Standard corflute signage cannot be recycled as part of the recycling service.
Lightweight and durable recyclable options are increasingly becoming available, ask your supplier for the best options for the environment.
Minimise the use of materials by succinctly wording signs and consider placement to reduce the size and quantity required.