Select each of the topics below for the best options and next best options for planning a more sustainable event.
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Energy used to power events typically comes from one or more of the following: diesel, electricity and gas generators.
As we move towards a renewable energy future, there are ever-increasing options to avoid fossil fuel power at your event.
Options for energy efficiency
Best option | Next best option | |
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Indoor venue |
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Outdoor venue |
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Evaluation and improvement |
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Food and drink are one of the largest emissions and waste producing elements of an event.
Decisions around providers, menu selection and packaging can give big wins.
Options for food and drink
Best option | Next best option | |
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Food and beverages |
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Evaluation and improvement |
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Waste is a big part of any event.
Minimise the waste you create by keeping in mind the 7Rs: reduce, replace, reuse, recover, refuse, reject, rethink.
Options for waste management
Best option | Next best option | |
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Bin placement and signage |
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Event fit-out |
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Promotional and advertisement materials |
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Giveaways and merchandise |
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Product purchasing |
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Evaluation and improvement |
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In February 2023, Victorian State Government introduced a ban on several single use plastic items, but you can go even further!
Here are some options for eliminating banned and other single use plastic items at your event.
Options for single-use plastic
Best option | Next best option | |
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Plastic / polystyrene, cups and dinnerware |
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Plastic cutlery, stirring sticks and straws |
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Balloons, plastic confetti and glitter |
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Plastic condiment containers and sachets |
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Cling wrap |
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Plastic bags |
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Evaluation and improvement |
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There are easy ways to adopt best practice standards at both indoor and outdoor venues, so no drop is wasted.
Options for water management
Best option | Next best option | |
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Indoor venue |
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Outdoor venue |
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Communication |
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While transport can be a difficult area to control there are many ways to influence patrons and lead by example.
Options for travel
Best option | Next best option | |
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Patron travel |
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Staff travel |
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Plane travel |
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Evaluation and improvement |
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Download the checklist
Case studies
There are many great event examples you can learn from. We have compiled this list to help you get some sustainability inspiration.
Examples of sustainable events
- Melbourne Fashion Week 2018:Opens in new tab Key features: carbon neutral, venues close to public transport, easy bike access, paperless ticketing, reusable cups, zero straws, improved recycling.
- Sydney FestivalOpens in new tab: The festival's vision to be the most sustainable performing arts festival.
- Woodford Folk FestivalOpens in new tab: Features a range of environmental initiatives, including incorporating environmentally themed talks into their programs
- Going Green: five best practice sustainable eventsOpens in new tab: Five really great case studies with practical examples of sustainable event practices.
- Climate Active certified eventsOpens in new tab
- Eurovision 2013 in SwedenOpens in new tab
Examples of sustainability initiatives at events
- CoachellaOpens in new tab: Some very cool initiatives that are relevant and achievable for single or multiple day festival style events.
- GlastonburyOpens in new tab: Green policies
Useful links
Sustainability and climate action
We’re working with our community to transition to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly place.
Sustainable business
City of Melbourne is taking strides towards a vision for Melbourne to be a sustainable city - and we’re here to help you reduce your environmental impact and be more sustainable too.
Carbon neutral guide
Reducing our carbon emissions and offseting residual emissions.