{"id":1475,"date":"2022-04-18T13:42:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-18T13:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thefreemancompany.com\/sparks\/articles\/reduce-event-food-and-beverage-waste\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T15:40:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T15:40:33","slug":"reduce-event-food-and-beverage-waste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thefreemancompany.com\/sparks\/articles\/reduce-event-food-and-beverage-waste\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Ways to Reduce Event Food &#038; Beverage Waste"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!----><\/p>\n<section class=\"c-copy-block py-5 2xl:py-10\">\n<div class=\"c-copy-block__wysiwyg s-wysiwyg txt-18\">\n<p>When it comes to your event strategy, it\u2019s critical to consider adopting an eco-friendly approach. As the world continues to deal with a major environmental crisis, the idea of taking a more sustainable route is no longer a luxury, it\u2019s essential. And, it\u2019s also something the majority of today\u2019s trade show and event audiences are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bizbash.com\/production-strategy\/event-production-fabrication\/article\/21927712\/2022-forecast-whats-next-in-trade-shows-and-conventions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">seeking<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Given the urgency around protecting the environment, it\u2019s important that event and program organizers strategize (and remain transparent) on the best ways to go green and put sustainability first. And while there are several important components to developing an environmentally friendly event, one particular area that can make a huge difference is cutting down, or even eliminating, food and beverage (F&amp;B) waste.<\/p>\n<p>Here are three tips for experiential professionals to consider to get started.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3>1. Prepare for the Right Amount of Attendees<\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>One of the first steps that event and trade show organizers can take to reduce food and beverage waste is to accurately account for the number of attendees who will be present at a given program to prevent having a major amount of leftovers. As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zerowaste.com\/blog\/how-to-organize-a-zero-waste-event-a-short-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zero Waste notes<\/a>, \u201cAn accurate headcount of attendees at your zero-waste event will allow you to order the correct amount of food and eliminate the risk of over-ordering.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>An overabundance of refreshments (and the packaging they come in) can make it difficult to be eco-friendly, especially when you consider just how much food waste <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/sustainable-management-food\/sustainable-management-food-basics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ends up in landfills <\/a>and the harmful effects that can have on the environment (i.e. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usda.gov\/foodlossandwaste\/why\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">greenhouse gas emissions<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen food goes to the landfill, it\u2019s similar to tying food in a plastic bag,\u201d<a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/sustainable-management-food\/sustainable-management-food-basics\">describes<\/a> the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). \u201cThe nutrients in the food never return to the soil. The wasted food rots and produces methane gas.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3>2. Share Excess Leftovers to Make a Difference<\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>If leftovers are an issue at your event however, don\u2019t fret. There are a variety of environmentally friendly ways to manage this, with donations to local organizations being a good place to start. As Barbara Palmer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcma.org\/what-meeting-planners-can-do-reduce-food-waste\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">points out in a PCMA article<\/a> on the subject, consider reaching out to the staff at the venue\/hotel that\u2019s hosting your event to see \u201cif they have active food-recovery programs with community partners.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Palmer also goes on to detail the <a href=\"http:\/\/w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act<\/a>, something all event organizers should know about\/reference when it comes to donating excess food. And remember, the venue you\u2019re working with may already have a food surplus donation program in place, so ask if that\u2019s a service they provide ahead of time.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3>3. Align with Like-Minded Food &amp; Beverage Partners<\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>A key way to get a handle on potential food and beverage waste at your event is to establish clear channels of communication with the venue, caterers and\/or food vendors. Doing so can help ensure that you are all on the same page as far as sustainability goes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMany green meeting practices are driven by event planners \u2014 things like recyclable name badges and paperless agendas,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.socialtables.com\/blog\/meeting-event-design\/eco-friendly-events\/\">Social Tables<\/a>. \u201cBut hosting a sustainable meeting is largely dependent on working with other sustainability-minded partners.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Make sure you provide clear directions to your attendees on how and where they can recycle their plastic beverage bottles and\/or cans. As Social Tables <a href=\"https:\/\/www.socialtables.com\/blog\/meeting-event-design\/eco-friendly-events\/\">notes<\/a>, consider putting recycling bins in places that are easily accessible and make sure there\u2019s visible language set up that directs attendees to those areas. Another way to stay eco-friendly is by taking the reusable route; for example, giving away branded reusable water bottles or even having water bubblers on hand.<\/p>\n<p>Thinking local in terms of food vendors can also make a huge difference. As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zerowaste.com\/blog\/how-to-organize-a-zero-waste-event-a-short-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zero Waste points out<\/a>, connecting with local caterers can go a long way toward cutting down on transportation (which can help reduce the amount of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/greenvehicles\/routes-lower-greenhouse-gas-emissions-transportation-future#:~:text=There%20are%20three%20routes%20to,and%20using%20lower-carbon%20fuels.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">carbon dioxide emissions<\/a> from trucks going long distances) and can even ensure the food you provide is in-season: a win for attendees and for the small businesses you\u2019re supporting.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to reducing event F&amp;B waste, preparation is paramount. Be sure to plan your sustainability strategy well in advance of the event, and confirm that all parties involved understand the roles and responsibilities they have in carrying it to fruition. Now more than ever, it\u2019s essential to keep sustainability top of mind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p> <!----><!----><!----><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to your event strategy, it\u2019s critical to consider adopting an eco-friendly approach. As the world continues to deal with a major environmental crisis, the idea of taking a more sustainable route is no longer a luxury, it\u2019s essential. And, it\u2019s also something the majority of today\u2019s trade show and event audiences are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":93,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-trends"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Three Ways to Reduce Event Food &amp; Beverage Waste - Sparks | Your Global Brand Experience Agency<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thefreemancompany.com\/sparks\/reduce-event-food-and-beverage-waste\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Three Ways to Reduce Event Food &amp; Beverage Waste - Sparks | Your Global Brand Experience Agency\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"When it comes to your event strategy, it\u2019s critical to consider adopting an eco-friendly approach. 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