Sustainable Event Strategies

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April 9, 2025

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

This is a familiar saying we’ve all heard when it comes to everyday recycling in our homes and community. It wasn’t until recent years that recycling and sustainability took center stage for brands and agencies when planning experiential events.

The demand for sustainable events is substantial – with most consumers placing value on eco-friendly approaches. Yet roughly 76% of experiential marketers still operate without a sustainability plan (EventTrack 2025, Event Marketer/Sparks).

This likely isn’t due to a lack of trying though. Creating sustainable events can be extremely cost worthy, presenting a unique challenge for event professionals trying to create a greener path forward for pop-up stores, mobile tours, containers, and beyond.

Sustainable event solutions are requests we now receive often from our agency clients – and we’re committed to helping them find a path to success that won’t break the bank. So, what are some cost-effective ways to bring sustainability to your event? Let’s explore some budget-friendly strategies…

  1. PRODUCT REPURPOSING

Over the summer, we worked with our agency client to activate the Ashley Furniture  Beach Retreat at the Santa Monica Pier. After the event, the furniture was donated to the Santa Monica Pier for future use. This was an excellent way to recycle and give back to the community at the same time. The best part? This strategy did not cost them a dime.  

  1. ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS

Consider alternatives for event elements such as furniture and signage through eco-friendly materials. There are many other practical swaps you can consider such as LED bulbs vs. fluorescent displays and corrugated cardboard vs. plastic. Read more about some great eco-friendly swaps from our friends over at Britten here: https://britteninc.com/blog/articles/ideas-for-eco-friendly-branding  

  1. REDUCE WASTE

Depending on the nature of your event, producing waste to some capacity may be unavoidable, but there are proactive measures you can take to minimize waste. Some examples include utilizing zero-waste vendors or providing recycling centers on-site. 

  1. GO PAPERLESS

Plan to hand out printed materials at your event? Switch to a digital format instead! This  will not only save you time and dollars on your overall budget but think about all the  trees you’ll be saving too!  

In recent years, sustainable event solutions have grown in popularity within the  experiential industry. These are just a few examples on how your agency can take small, but impactful steps towards a greener industry. Get in touch with us to explore additional ways you can “go green” at your next event.