Sustainability at events is no longer just a trend – many organizers are pursuing sustainability goals, such as reducing waste, enhancing climate-friendliness, or promoting social engagement. However, "Green Events" often carry the stereotype of being boring: lacking glamour and excitement – a common criticism. But this doesn’t have to be the case! The following event ideas offer inspiration on how sustainability can become a creative success booster at events.
The editorial team at EventMasterBook.com has compiled 7 examples of measures that can create special experiential moments at meetings, conferences and events while also helping to achieve sustainability goals – from direct impacts in terms of waste reduction or CO2 balance to sparking new ideas for guests ("Sustainability Mindset").
1. Moss Installation – Immersive Decoration and "Mental Space"
Large, green walls made of real moss are not only eye-catching but also actively contribute to improving the air quality of the event location. A moss wall that guests can touch and even help shape sharpens awareness of the beauty and fragility of nature. Setting up a lounge area in front of the moss wall invites conversation and networking. With some background information, such as the special environmental properties of moss, you can subtly create new fans for "green buildings".
2. Plant-Based Photo Walls – Selfies without Plastic
Building on the idea of the moss wall, here’s another concept to help reduce plastic usage: photo walls made from real plants. Many events feature a photo wall for selfies at the entrance. Traditional photo walls are often made from plastic or Styrofoam. Replacing them with "green" living photo walls made of real plants creates a beautiful "Vertical Garden" where guests will be happy to pose. Local plants and “climate plants” further enhance the sustainability impact.
3. Green Sound Gardens – Walk and Wonder
The "Vertical Garden" leads us to the next idea: Why not make plants not just visible, but audible too? More and more, we’re seeing indoor and outdoor event areas filled with lush plants and trees. In these "event gardens", people can wander, sit down, and enjoy nature. By equipping plant arrangements with sensors that respond to touch, it’s possible to link them to specific sounds, creating an entirely new immersive experience. This allows nature to be experienced in an innovative way.
Tip: The Plant Sound Garden can be announced in advance as a special highlight. By promoting the immersive nature art project in invitations and PR efforts, additional attention can be drawn to the event.
4. Aromas of the Region – From Invigorating to Relaxing
For those looking to create a new immersive experience for guests, aromas can be an additional (or alternative) option. Special scent concepts for event spaces can sustainably influence the atmosphere of the event. However, not every guest appreciates a constant fragrance. Here, scent stations come to the rescue, offering guests the choice to engage with them as desired. The essential oils provided can either calm or invigorate. Ideally, these should be made from regional plants, flowers, or herbs – connecting the event with the local environment and supporting the regional economy.
5. Edible Walls
In event catering, reducing the carbon footprint is key. This is best achieved by minimizing animal products and avoiding ingredients that have traveled long distances. A "farm-to-table" catering model, where all ingredients come from the surrounding area, combined with predominantly (or entirely) vegetarian or vegan products, helps to improve the climate balance. A tip: To encourage guests to try more vegetarian or vegan foods, you can arrange them in small jars, artistically decorated with green herbs and edible flowers, as a "vertical buffet" on a wall. The "edible wall" is not only decorative but also irresistible. Everyone will want to try it!
Tip: Edible Earth – A Dessert Like No Other
A highlight at the catering could be "Edible Earth" – a mix of (fair-trade) cocoa, nuts, and chocolate, offering a creative visual and easily integrated into sustainable dessert stations. This idea combines aesthetic beauty with enjoyment and brings the theme of "nature" to guests in a culinary way. The edible earth can be served "solo" or used as a topping or base in various desserts. A sign should specifically mention "Edible Earth," as the term alone sparks curiosity.
6. Vintage with Added Value – Secondhand for Lounges and Stages
From a sustainability perspective, custom-made event furnishings, which are used for a single purpose, are the "worst case." Renting furniture helps improve the environmental balance. For those who want to go a step further, secondhand furniture can be used to outfit areas like lounges or even stages in a trendy vintage style. The twist: The furniture is auctioned off to guests at the end of the event, or a take-home service is offered. The proceeds from the auction can be donated to a good cause. This fundraising effort additionally enhances the social impact of the event.
7. Cleaning Contest and Upcycling – Art from Event Leftovers
Leftover materials, such as decoration or promotional materials, that would typically be thrown away after an event can be used for a very special activity at the event’s conclusion: A "clean-up contest" engages guests in the "cleaning up of the location." With the help of an artist, small (or larger) works of art can be created from these leftover materials, which can then be gifted to guests or donated to local art initiatives. This creative upcycling activity raises awareness of the problem of waste production at events – encouraging greater willingness to separate waste and avoid single-use items.
Conclusion: Sustainability Can Be a Creative Experience!
Sustainability at events doesn’t have to be boring – with the right ideas, a green event can become a truly memorable experience. Creative green-event modules not only benefit the environment and society but can also offer guests unforgettable moments. When planning a sustainable event, it’s important to consider how one or two unique ideas can turn "sustainability" into a creative experience. This enhances the impact of the event and fosters a positive mindset among guests toward sustainability issues.
Cover image: Moss wall, photographed at an event in Berlin, December 2024, © EventMasterBook.de editorial team
Related Topics: Planning Green Events, Sustainable Events, Sustainability at Events, Sustainability, Event Management, Event Planning, Event Ideas, Green Event Ideas, Glam Factor, Fun Factor, Ideas for Sustainable Events, Tips for Event Planning, Event Carbon Footprint, CO2 Balance, Waste at Events, Ecological Footprint, Environmental Impact of Events, Sustainability Awareness, Mindset
Summary: Tips for Planning a Green Event – Sustainability as a Creative Experience – 7 Green Event Ideas by the editorial team at EventMasterBook.com
Please note: This text was translated from the German EventMasterBook.de Event Magazine (see article: 7 Ideen für Green Events). Please excuse any translation errors.
