Top 5 Practices for Sustainable Events
As an industry leader in sustainable event planning, M&IW advocates for and prioritizes eco-friendly practices in the meetings, events, and incentives we manage. To better understand our planners’ approach to sustainability and what works—and doesn’t work—for our customers, we conducted a survey of the meetings, events, and incentive programs we managed from January 2024–February 2025. The survey was voluntary, and while it is not representative of all programs, it provides a big-picture overview of event planners’ mindset toward sustainability today.
The results of this survey revealed the practices that continue to make a positive impact, new (or newer) sustainable strategies gaining popularity, and the top five trending practices for sustainable event planning.
Need a refresher on environmentally friendly event planning? Read Event Sustainability 101.
The State of Event Sustainability
Our survey revealed the sustainable event practices and solutions that are top of mind for planners, including what continues to be effective and what’s gaining momentum.
Tried-and-true Eco-friendly Event Practices
A number of the sustainable solutions identified have been common practice for years and continue to see successful results.
Reducing Single-use Plastics
Avoiding or limiting single-use plastics is the leading example. Programs surveyed accomplished this in a variety of ways, such as providing reusable water bottles, including water stations with glassware instead of plastic cups, and requesting a venue change its policy and provide reusable tableware for an outdoor event.
Recyclable and Recycled Materials
Recycling is another standard for sustainable event planning. Planners today are focusing not just on items that can be recycled but also on sourcing items made from recycled materials, such as signage and name badges. And while it might seem surprising, some venues still don’t have standard recycling bins! When one program surveyed encountered this, the planner went out of their way to rent recycling bins to keep the program as green as possible.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Finally, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has long been an inclusion of events. CSR includes the economic, social, and environmental impact, and the latter is having its time in the spotlight! From donating event centerpieces and other flowers to local nursing homes or community centers to planting trees for each attendee to having attendees assemble water filters, our survey revealed a variety of engaging and sustainable CSR activities.
Today’s Hot Topics in Sustainable Events
Along with the tried-and-true sustainable event practices, our survey revealed a few areas that are getting greater attention from planners.
Reducing Travel
Transportation is the biggest source of event emissions, so it’s not surprising that planners are starting to shift their focus there. In addition to choosing a local or centralized location to limit overall attendee travel, a popular practice is to limit idling time for event-provided transportation. Another increasingly common choice is to limit the need for additional transportation altogether by choosing offsite venues and restaurants within walking distance and using existing transportation options. For example, one program in our survey used the hotel’s existing airport shuttle instead of booking individual transportation for each attendee.
Sustainable Food Choices
There has also been a rising focus on sustainable food choices at events, including both food sourcing and waste. Many programs surveyed donated unused or surplus meals, either through our partnership with Copia or through their venue’s existing donation program. Other planners are prioritizing venues that compost or source food locally. For example, for one program surveyed, the deciding factor on choice of venue was the onsite herb and vegetable gardens.
Sustainable Events on a Budget
Finally, while meeting and event planners have always been budget-conscious, a previous trend was to put a majority of the sustainability budget toward one big project or practice, such as contracting a LEED-certified venue. Now, planners are looking for ways to maximize the difference made throughout their programs by implementing multiple affordable practices. That’s not to say the wow factor is missing from sustainability; instead, it’s about highlighting the collective impact across all aspects of an event.
Top 5 Trends for Sustainable Events
Our survey results of programs held January 2024–February 2025 revealed a clear top five practices for sustainable meetings, events, and incentives:
- CSR and Givebacks: Tied for the most popular practice, CSR and giveback elements were included in 42% of programs surveyed.
- Recycled Name Badges: Also included in 42% of programs, this includes both name badges made from recycled materials and badges that were recycled after the event.
- Recycled Signage: Signs made from recycled materials and recyclable signage were included in 39% of programs surveyed.
- Food Donations: 31% of programs donated unused or surplus food after the event.
- Limited Onsite Transportation: 29% intentionally reduced the amount of transportation needed onsite.
Other common practices identified in the survey but not within the top five include:
- Reducing single-use plastics.
- Reusing signage and décor.
- Giving sustainable gifts with recyclable packaging.
- Printing signage locally to avoid shipping.
Learn More: Live Sustainability Event
After reviewing our survey results, one thing is clear: Sustainable events are here to stay. Planners are introducing new environmentally responsible practices or improving existing solutions at every event. It can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Join us for our upcoming live event, Event Sustainability: Facts, Fiction, & Future, on May 7, 2025, as we explore actionable insights and strategies for making a positive impact through sustainable event planning
During this free live event, our panel of industry-leading experts, including M&IW Sustainability Champion Donna Collins, will:
- Explore the foundational truths of sustainable event planning.
- Debunk myths and address challenges.
- Collaborate on the future of event sustainability and how to keep forward momentum.
As a global industry, meetings and events have an incredible opportunity to address social and environmental impacts both locally and worldwide. Register now and join our quest for a more sustainable industry.
M&IW’s Approach to Sustainable Events
M&IW prioritizes event sustainability to create lasting positive change for our planet, people, and communities. Our award-winning Sustainability Champion, Donna Collins, brings the expertise and strategic partnerships to elevate your sustainability strategy. While we do the work, you reap the rewards of environmentally friendly meetings, events, and incentives.
We lead the industry in sustainable meeting and event planning and meet you where you’re at with actionable, impactful solutions. Contact us to get started. Already an M&IW customer? Contact your Customer Success Manager.
To stay up to date on the latest trends and insights in event sustainability, join our mailing list or follow us on LinkedIn.
Contributor
Donna Collins
Sustainability Champion
Meetings & Incentives Worldwide, Inc.