From waste to innovation: creating sustainable events

# tags: Events , Sustainability

When was the last time you attended a big event - be it a festival, a fair, a conference or a football match? And what struck you most?

For me, it’s impossible to ignore the amount of plastic cups and bottles discarded. The massive consumption of electricity, such as at concerts, is also evident. There’s no doubt about it: the events industry has a significant environmental impact, from waste to its carbon footprint.

But what does this have to do with creativity and innovation? A lot. Events are fertile spaces for innovation and can - and should - be drivers of sustainable transformation. The big question is: how can sustainability be integrated without compromising the emotional dimension and the quality of the participants’ experience? Sustainability should not just be seen as an obligation, but as a creative opportunity.

Thinking creatively means exploring different possibilities and finding new perspectives to solve problems. If we apply this thinking to the design of festivals and conferences, we can adopt circular strategies. It’s not just about recycling or reusing materials and equipment. We can go further: use only local resources, minimise waste and rethink business models through new partnerships. An inspiring example is the Loop strategy, where events take advantage of waste from other industries and, in turn, make their waste available as resources for other sectors. Another innovative approach is the use of gamification and technology to raise awareness and engage the public. I suppose there are already apps that allow participants to measure their ecological footprint during the event, encouraging more sustainable behavior through fun challenges and attractive rewards.

A sustainable event doesn’t mean a less emotionally engaging experience - on the contrary, it can be even more memorable by creating authentic connections with the audience. Scenography made up of natural elements, interactive installations with reused materials or shows powered by renewable energy are examples of how immersive elements can align with ecological principles.

Sustainable gastronomy, highlighting local and seasonal ingredients, enriches the sensory experience of participants, while gamification and small conscious choices increase the audience’s sense of belonging and involvement.

There are no limits to the generation of ideas. What is essential is the intention to change the events industry - on the part of the organisers, but also on the part of the public. In this context, a case in point is Boom Festival, which has been implementing an ambitious mission of self-sustainability, with a serious commitment to not polluting nature and to educating ecological awareness.

Boom Festival’s sustainable practices include the use of solar and wind energy, the treatment of the event’s water through biotechnologies, ecological toilets without chemicals and a spatial organization based on Permaculture principles. Since 2012, the festival has been repeatedly awarded for its efforts to become a fully sustainable event. Other events of the same character or from other industries could take inspiration from events like this, adapting solutions to their context.

Change clearly starts with event organisers, but sponsoring brands must also get involved. Creating memorable and sustainable experiences means turning events into real innovation laboratories for a better future. Sustainability is not an obstacle to creativity - it is an accelerator of innovation.

Events can be spaces for transformation, inspiring participants to act more consciously and responsibly. So here’s one last thought: how can we create more impactful events with less impact?