How can I encourage sustainable travel to my event?

Promote walking, cycling, and public transport by sharing clear directions and nearby path details. Align your event time with public transport schedules and suggest car sharing or local community transport options.

What materials should I use for a sustainable event?

Use borrowed or second-hand items where possible. Source materials from local, sustainable suppliers. Choose FSC-certified wood and peat-free compost, and encourage attendees to bring reusable items.

How can I reduce waste during the event?

Avoid unnecessary giveaways, opt for digital materials, and ask attendees to bring reusable cups and containers. Be cautious with compostables—they often need specialist disposal.

How can I minimise energy use at my event?

Only use appliances when needed and put up signage to remind attendees to turn off lights in bathrooms or unused spaces. Consider energy-efficient lighting where possible.

Sustainable Event Planning - Lanarkshire Climate Action Festival 2025

Tips for planning a sustainable event

Everything we do has a carbon footprint but by taking mindful choices we can significantly lower our emissions while still creating exciting events. To help you, we have created an Events & Activities Checklist, which you can download HERE. You can also check out our helpful Buying Guide for Growing Events.

How will people travel to your event?

Make it as easy as possible for people to choose active travel to attend your event. You can do so by giving clear directions of the nearest walking and cycling paths and explaining the nearest safe bike parking at the event.

Encourage people to choose public transport or community transport to visit your event. Consider timing your event to align with bus/train times. Give people clear directions of which public transport links to choose.

If your event is not accessible by public transport, encourage participants to car share where possible. You may also consider collaborating with your local community transport provider to set up shared transport for your event.

What materials will you need?

Consider what can be borrowed rather than buying new. Tool libraries are a good shout. If you are unable to borrow an item look to see if you can buy the item second hand.
Use local suppliers and plan to incorporate locally grown and seasonal produce in your event(s).

Choose any compostable or biodegradable products wisely. For example, compostable coffee cups cannot be disposed of in your garden and food waste bins and require collection by a specialist recycling provider. Encourage participants to bring their own cup.

Whenever possible, source sustainably produced, organic seeds, plug plants & plants raised in peat-free compost from local nurseries or online suppliers and always buy peat-free compost.

Source FSC-certified timber products and untreated wood for constructing planters for cultivating fruit, vegetables, and flowers.

How much energy will you use?

Consider ways in which you can reduce your energy usage during your event. Only turn on appliances when needed during the event and consider putting up signage encouraging people to turn off lights in the bathroom.