#8 Reduce paper consumption and use recycled paper

Here's how you can reduce paper consumption at events

Reduce paper consumption at events by avoiding unnecessary printing, flyers, catalogs. If printing cannot be avoided, make sure to use certified, ethically produced recycled paper and bio-based inks.

This applies to toilet paper as well as napkins, tickets or access passes. Instead, rely on digital event apps. These offer added value for your attendees, sponsors and speakers and are easy to use. Thanks to these apps, you make event programs, flyers, catalogs and much more superfluous.

Combat deforestation and biodiversity loss by avoiding unethical or untraceable paper sources.

 

Background information around paper consumption and recycling

For the production of paper, trees are felled and a lot of water and energy is needed. In addition, various chemicals are used in production. These wastewater quantities have to be cleaned again in filter plants. If you want to prevent this negative impact, reduce your paper consumption and switch to recycled paper. Certificates and labels such as Blue Angel, Steinbeis, FSC, EU Ecolabel should form the basis for your purchasing decision.

Paper Recycling: In addition to reducing paper consumption, appropriate disposal and waste separation is important for recycling paper and cardboard. More: Greenpeace on paper.

Here's how measures that reduce paper consumption pay off for SGGs

• SDG12: Ensuresustainable consumption and productionpatterns
  Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
  12.2 By 2030, achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
  12.5 By 2030, significantly reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse 
• SDG13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Print climate friendly.
  Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• SDG15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification,halt and reverseland degradation, andhalt biodiversity loss
  Goal 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
  15.2 By 2020, promote sustainable management of all forest types, end deforestation, restore degraded forests, and significantly increase afforestation and reforestation globally.

Practical tips that reduce paper consumption

The event industry is a major sector of the economy that organizes a large number of events every year. This often involves the use of a lot of paper, whether for trade show catalogs, flyers, tickets or other printed matter. The environmental impact is considerable, as the production of paper consumes a lot of water, energy and wood and is also associated with high emissions. It is therefore urgent to dispense with unnecessary printing and use digital solutions instead.

Digital solutions can be a sustainable alternative, as they generally consume fewer resources than paper printing. In addition, the use of green electricity and sustainable servers can further minimize environmental impact. The social benefits should not be neglected either: Digitization creates jobs and can facilitate access to information, also in terms of inclusion.

However, sustainable use of paper not only has ecological and social benefits, but also economic advantages. By reducing paper consumption, costs can be saved, for example for printing and disposal costs. In addition, organizers can improve their company's image and stand out from the competition by using paper sustainably.
The Blue Angel is an independent seal that identifies products that are particularly environmentally friendly. By using Blue Angel paper, event organizers can further improve their environmental performance and raise awareness of sustainability.

Examples of events that are already reducing paper consumption today

Green Events and Innovations Conference

The GEI conference is held annually in London and focuses on innovative and sustainable practices in the events industry. The topic of paper economy and paperless events is given special consideration.

Sustainable Meetings Conference 

The Sustainable Meetings Conference is held annually by Green Meetings Industry Council in various cities and covers topics related to sustainable event practices. The topic of paper management and the switch to paper-free events is also discussed.

Sustainable Event Alliance

The Sustainable Event Alliance is a global non-profit organization that promotes sustainable event practices. The topic of paper management and the switch to paper-free events also plays an important role.

Waste Reduction Week 

Waste Reduction Week is an annual event in Canada that focuses on various aspects of waste reduction and recycling. It also focuses on paper management and the switch to paper-free events.

GreenBiz

GreenBiz is an annual conference in the USA that focuses on sustainable business practices and innovations. The topic of paper management and the switch to paper-free events is also discussed.

Now it's your turn - how do you ensure the reduction of paper consumption at your event?

Let me know how you have reduced paper use at your event or how you plan to do so in the future. 

• Do you use mobile event apps? 
• Do you produce printed promotional materials without a year so they are reusable? 
• Do you integrate barcodes and QR codes into tickets that your attendees show on their smartphones instead of printing out?
• Do you use recycled paper where printing cannot be avoided?

Discuss with me - for example directly on my LinkedIn profile. 

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