10 Ways To Take Sustainability to the Next Level

The next level of sustainability extends beyond standard green meeting practices, such as recycling and going paperless, to focus more on circular economy practices, socially conscious vendors, new technologies – and, above all, asking the tough questions. 

Here are 10 next-level sustainability strategies:

1. Question Greenwashing

When it comes to sustainability, general claims are not sufficient. You need proof.

For example, not all ‘sustainable’ seafood is what it says it is. Check that it is certified by a reputable organization, such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch, which offers free guides and a mobile app that help identify sustainable seafood choices. If your hotel says it’s reducing food waste, ask how. Two tools hotels use are Lean Path, which allows them to measure waste and avoid overproduction, and Power Knot biodigesters, machines that break down food waste.

2. Research B Corps as Partners

For its events, Skift works with Intrepid Travel, which was certified as a B Corp in 2019.  B Corporations are companies that look after their staff, work toward a more inclusive supply chain and take corporate social responsibility to the next level. 

This company’s commitment to sustainability is at the core of its culture. Not only has it been carbon-neutral since 2010, but the tours that it leads, from homestays to indigenous experiences, keep the economic benefits of travel in the community. Some, like its Kenya Cycling Trip, raise money for local nonprofits.

3. Introduce the People Behind the Food

Food = Farmers. Don’t just source meats or fruits and vegetables locally, include the growers and farmers in your event. If a dinner is locally sourced, why not create a short video before the meal that introduces the farmer and his family who raised the meal, the chef who prepared it and the staff who are serving it?

4. Formalize Carpooling

Why do so few meetings promote carpooling or ridesharing among attendees, as an option for those driving to the meeting or for rides to and from the airport? All it takes is one email, and attendees can connect within each other on their own.

There are also free apps, such as Caroster, for organizing group carpooling, and Esferasort, a customizable white label ride-sharing app. You can even offer an incentive, like a gift card, to those who follow through.

5. Scrutinize CSR

Give back activities will be a miss if they don’t consider the values of attendees or the philanthropic pillars already established by the company. There’s no point in arbitrarily choosing a cause to support based on optics.

Another strategy is to choose a nonprofit that everyone can relate to. One example is Clean the World, which works with 8,300 hospitality partners to divert their soap bars and plastic amenities from landfills and recycle the collected soap into new bars. They also offer a teambuilding experience for groups to assemble hygiene or school supplies, including their recycled soap.

6. Donate Outdated Logoed Items

Did you ever wonder what happens to obsolete logo'ed merchandise when companies rebrand or get acquired? SwagCycle helps companies repurpose and recycle unwanted branded items in a responsible, ethical and affordable way.

7.  Know the Difference Between Biodegradable and Compostable

You might insist on biodegradable plates, cups and cutlery, but be sure to check that biodegradable serviceware is accepted for composting locally. In some cities, if you want to avert the landfill, you need to order items that are also compostable.

8. Lease Your Lanyards 

Why buy lanyards? Promotional product company Fairware has created a lanyard lending library of thousands of lanyards that can be borrowed. Shipping is not included; they expect at least 85% to be returned. The lanyards are then washed and prepped for the next event.

 9. Plant Your Paper

If you’re going to continue to print, or to give out branded swag, at least make it plantable. Print attendee badges and daily notes on handmade paper embedded with wildflower seeds that can be planted. Pair that with a Sprout Pencil: You plant it, and it will grow either herbs, flowers, vegetables or a tree. 

10. Ever Hear of Edible Swag?

Many gift vendors are now offering amenities that give back, but those will eventually end up in a landfill. Not Branded Fruit, which uses produce sourced from a network of farms, emblazoned with graphics (rather than etching) onto avocados, mangoes, pineapples, persimmons, limes, beets, potatoes and even eggplants.