8 ‘musts’ for a more sustainable venue
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The materials used in the venue must also follow sustainability criteria. Cleaning products must be eco-labeled and used in adequate doses. The furniture of the space must also take care to use low-polluting materials, made with wood of sustainable production and with paint without VOCs.
Have a selective waste separation system. It is about facilitating the client, its suppliers, the agency team and the assistants to separate and allocate their waste to a recycling plant. Ideally the space offers this service, or you can easily organize it. Many attendees get angry if this is not possible, throwing a plastic bottle into the generic trash hurts more and more …
Efficient use of supplies. The space has to offer water saving systems, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. Beyond water, it has to have energy efficiency systems with insulation measures in the room, have a low consumption lighting (LEDs), make the most of natural light and ventilation, have presence detectors to turn on the lights. Even more globally and better: that the venue has based its design and structure on the guidelines of the bioclimatic architecture, that is to say limiting the waste of energy, using natural light, among others.
The location also adds up. A well-connected venue is not only a point in favor for your attendees to arrive easily, but also for them to do so in a more sustainable way. Check if it is well connected by public transport to leave private transport a little aside.
… but accessibility does not stop at the entrance door. It continues inside the venue. You have to look at the accessibility to the venue for any type of person with disabilities, eliminating architectural barriers, having adapted toilets and furniture, placing signage for people with visual disabilities, etc.
And if the space has its own catering (or with your catering), you should pay attention to … to use local and seasonal products with a predominance of healthy food, that they use organic or fair trade products, household goods and reusable tableware. And if the space has agreements with organizations that are in charge of the donation of the food surplus, even better! If you read us, you know that there are foundations that coordinate this food collection. If not, ask us!
How can a space improve its socio-economic environment? This point is often forgotten: it is good to save water and plant trees, but integrating the local community and treating it well is essential. Monitor the working conditions and safety of its employees, facilitating the conciliation, employing local workers and hiring people from disadvantaged groups, as well as buying local products and nearby suppliers. The social part of the activity of each provider or space is perhaps its greatest impact!
There are also some certifications and guarantees that can help you identify sustainable venues:
