Environmental impact and awareness has grown tremendously over the past few years. There are ways to be more sustainable or eco-friendly in virtually all aspects of your life. In the hospitality industry, eco-friendly event planning is a growing trend that helps many types of events cut down on waste.
To combat waste and improve our environmental impact, the Overland Park Convention Center has a sustainability program; we are committed as an event venue to enhance green practices in partnership with city officials, corporate leadership, clients and community partners.
Below, we cover tips, information, and more on eco-friendly event planning in Kansas City.
What is sustainability?
Before discussing how to plan greener events, it’s important to understand the basic tenets of sustainability.
The US Environmental Protection Agency defines sustainability as a principle:
Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.
With this principle in mind, there are many ways we can support our natural environment with our approach to eco-friendly event planning in Kansas City.
Related: How Can a Venue Be Sustainable?
How do I plan an eco-friendly event?
Reduce food waste
One of the best opportunities to lessen food waste is donating unserved, prepared food to ensure it is eaten. If food cannot be donated, food composting is the next opportunity to reduce waste. The Overland Park Convention Center is enrolled in the Food Residual Environment Diversion program. This program gives us many resources to reduce event food waste and picks up food waste to take to a recycling center for composting.
Minimize energy consumption
With large event venues, it’s important to be aware of excess energy consumption. The Overland Park Convention Center employs resource conservation guidelines to keep lighting, heating, and cooling usage cost efficient to reduce waste and cost. Event planners and team members follow these guidelines for move-in, event day, and move-out days to improve energy efficiency.
Green purchasing
Our team has made many green purchases to make our venues more sustainable, like energy efficient lighting, water-conserving plumbing, automatic soap and paper towel dispensers, occupancy light sensors, and green purchases like compostable dinnerware.
As an event planner, you can make green purchases (purchases that are more eco-friendly) for decor, supplies, and other necessary items.
Learn more about eco-friendly event planning in Kansas City at the Overland Park Convention Center
Contact our team today to learn more about eco-friendly event planning with OPCC.
