The Greening of Meetings

My latest monthly "Toiling Point" column on Grist is up. The focus this month is on how to create more environmentally responsible meetings and events. What started years ago as a handful of small and largely symbolic practices -- printing on recycled paper and recycling name badges, for example -- has taken a far more substantive turn.

An excerpt:

The business case for green meetings depends in part on who you are. It is different for event organizers, suppliers (such as caterers), and facilities (such as hotels). For organizers -- companies, nonprofits, government agencies, and the like -- greener meetings and conferences can provide a variety of payoffs, says Amy Spatrisano, including reduced costs, improved efficiency, and a higher-quality event.

Such benefits fly in the face of conventional wisdom, which suggests that environmentally responsible events cost more, are less convenient, and provide a lower-quality experience for attendees. But that's no longer the case. And it's easy to see why, when you consider the rate of consumption of any sizeable event. For example, according to MSW, during a typical five-day conference, 2,500 attendees will use 62,500 plates, 87,500 napkins, 75,000 cups or glasses, and 90,000 cans or bottles.

Read on for more, including tips and resources.

Comments

[Samantha McFarlane]

Hi, I am a Canadian student completing my Masters of Environmental Management at Griffith University in Australia. I am currently developing a green meetings manual for the EcoCentre at the school, an information centre concerned with sustainable development. I was very interested in your article on "the greening of meetings" and hoped to obtain a full copy. If this is at all possible I would be extremely grateful as well written articles on green meetings are hard to come by!
Cheers
Sam