1. Environmental Management and Sustainability
Chapter Two
Environmental Management
and Sustainability
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
PPT slides to accompany Event Management: Theory and Practice 1e by Wrathall and Gee

2. Chapter learning objectives
2.1 Understand the benefits of sustainable event
practices
2.2 Implement waste prevention and recycling
2.3 Monitor event sustainability practices and improvement
2.4 Implement event sustainability practices and improvement
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
PPT slides to accompany Event Management: Theory and Practice 1e by Wrathall and Gee

3. Chapter learning objectives
2.5 Investigate current workplace practices in relation to event resource usage strategies
2.6 Promote environmental aims to event contractors
2.7 Implement strategies to reduce and offset the
carbon footprint of the event
2.8 Understand the implications of misleading
sustainability representations.
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
PPT slides to accompany Event Management: Theory and Practice 1e by Wrathall and Gee

4. Units of Competence and Elements
BSBSUS501A Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability
Develop workplace sustainability policy
Communicate workplace sustainability policy
Implement workplace sustainability policy
Review workplace sustainability policy implementation
Research event ideas and management practice
Evaluate information to inform work practice
Extend event management skills and knowledge
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
PPT slides to accompany Event Management: Theory and Practice 1e by Wrathall and Gee

5. Introduction
Many significant Australian events produce high levels of waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Planning is the most effective way of reducing waste and increasing efficiency at special events.
Zero Footprint ( is a group committed to reducing environmental footprints.
 Discussion: Have students brainstorm some of the waste generated by major public events such as the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Fashion Week, City to Surf etc.
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
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6. Why introduce sustainable event practices?
Global warming and corporate responsibility
Adopting policies to reduce greenhouse gases shows a commitment to environmental sustainability.
Other benefits
‘Green’ events can gain higher media coverage and visitor numbers through improved public perception.
Reducing waste helps the environment and also cuts cost for storage, transport and removal.
Greenhouse gas reductions can occur through smarter resource usage and use of green technology.
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
PPT slides to accompany Event Management: Theory and Practice 1e by Wrathall and Gee

7. Why introduce sustainable event practices?
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
PPT slides to accompany Event Management: Theory and Practice 1e by Wrathall and Gee

8. Developing an event waste management plan
Waste management plans should include these key steps:
obtaining support of key stakeholders
establishing responsibility for managing recycling systems
developing strategies for reducing resource usage
investigating local sustainable or recyclable materials
creating systems for collection, storage, sorting and disposal or rubbish and recyclables
communicating processes to key stakeholders.
Waste Management Plans should be implemented at the beginning of the planning process. This is to ensure that all issues are researched, discussed and planned for. If waste management is done later, a significant amount of wastage or carbon footprinting may have already occurred.
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
PPT slides to accompany Event Management: Theory and Practice 1e by Wrathall and Gee

9. Developing an event waste management plan
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Reducing waste, reusing products and recycling is important in reducing the impact of the event.
Eliminating items such as plastic plates and bags or providing recyclable or biodegradable alternatives can assist in reducing the environmental impact.
Using more sustainable alternatives decreases the impact of your event.
Products are more sustainable if they are produced locally (reduced transport costs and emissions), take less time to decompose than other products, can be reused or recycled and are made from sustainably sourced materials.
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
PPT slides to accompany Event Management: Theory and Practice 1e by Wrathall and Gee

10. Developing an event waste management plan
Reduce
Buy in bulk to reduce packaging.
Send documents electronically and/or double-side printing.
Ask vendors to use environmentally sustainable items.
Reuse
Donate left-over merchandising to charity.
Participate in food recovery, e.g.: OzHarvest, Second Bite.
Recycle
Reduce landfill.
Provide clearly marked recycling facilities.
Create a positive waste stream – a movement of waste towards recycling and composting rather than landfill.
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11. Developing an event waste management plan
Choose environmentally sustainable catering
Implement measures reducing throw-away items and make use of reusable or recyclable items.
Look for compostable items and consider a food charity.
Hire, don’t buy
Buying, maintaining, repairing and storing equipment adds to costs.
Hire companies can provide a sustainable alternative.
 Review: Have students think of an event they recently attended. Have them list five measures at that event that helped reduce waste. If none were apparent, what are five steps the organisers could have taken?
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
PPT slides to accompany Event Management: Theory and Practice 1e by Wrathall and Gee

12. Developing an event waste management plan
Help employees and volunteers commit to recycling
Employees and volunteers are likely to be proud to work on a ‘green’ event.
Educate employees about the recycling processes.
Assign employees to direct people to recycling stations and monitor disposal and overflow.
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13. Developing an event waste management plan
Use effective signage and accessible containers
Use colour-coded bins.
Ensure signs are easy to read and able to be seen.
Position waste and recycling bins near catering areas.
Brief your waste management provider extensively.
Let people know about recycling at the event
Pre-event promotions and press releases
Use PA system to remind guests about recycling.
Information stations at the event
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14. Developing an event waste management plan
Work with recycling service providers
Discuss what can be recycled and how to deal with contamination.
Ask your service providers questions about all aspects of waste management.
Assess your recycling performance
Get figures from your provider to show how much was recycled and how much was sent to landfill.
How did your plan reduce the landfill amount?
Ask your service providers:
the number of bins required and when they will be emptied
who will place bins in the required locations
do they collect all waste, compost and recyclables, and where is it taken?
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
PPT slides to accompany Event Management: Theory and Practice 1e by Wrathall and Gee

15. Developing an event waste management plan
Sustainability hints for different event types
Conferences and workshops
Use USBs or websites to reduce paper
Source biodegradable satchels and catering materials
Use organic produce and focus on vegetables
Concerts in concert halls
Have bins strategically placed to encourage recycling
Promote recycling via the PA system
Encourage use of public transport
 Review: What are other steps that might be taken to reduce waste, and the carbon footprint, of a corporate event?
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
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16. Developing an event waste management plan
Stadium sporting events and music concerts
Plan for recycling inside and outside the event.
Double-side promotional materials on recycled paper
Conduct a ‘stadium sweep’.
Encourage use of public transport and car pooling.
Outdoor festivals
Have stallholders collect their own rubbish or provide free recycling service.
Require vendors to use recycled or biodegradable materials e.g.:
Provide composting where possible.
Prohibit items that may be left behind and contribute to landfill.
‘Stadium sweep’ – waste is swept into the aisles and all recyclables removed before waste is disposed of
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17. Promoting environmentally sustainable measures to contractors
All agreements with contractors should state a commitment to recycling and waste reduction and the responsibilities of all parties.
Be clear from the start – no last minute changes.
Be committed – introduce a plan and do it properly.
Stop Waste ( provides ideas about event best practice with contractors.
Examples of sustainable measures you might want adhered to include:
use of recyclable, reusable or compostable utensils, plates and packaging
separation and preparation of waste for disposal
a full waste plan outlining how they will minimise, store and control waste generation.
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
PPT slides to accompany Event Management: Theory and Practice 1e by Wrathall and Gee

18. Reducing the event’s carbon footprint
Green energy
Convert to renewable energy supplied electricity
Percentage of energy converted to green sources can be negotiated based on budget
Carbon offsets
Demonstrates sustainability culture of the event manager
Organisations such as Climate Friendly ( and Greening Australia ( can assist with options for carbon offsetting
Green energy – energy provided by renewable sources, such as solar or wind, instead of traditional means such as coal powered electricity.
Carbon offsets contribute money to projects that reduce carbon emissions to offset the expected impact of an event, such as solar power, wind power and reforestation.
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
PPT slides to accompany Event Management: Theory and Practice 1e by Wrathall and Gee

19. Reducing the event’s carbon footprint
Sustainable paper stocks
Use of recycled paper for promotional materials
Australian made products to reduce transport impact
Print Together ( provide lists of environmentally responsible printers
Vegetable-based print inks and sustainable print processes
More environmentally friendly than common petroleum-based ink
Renewable and more readily recyclable
Sustainable Paper Stocks – if unable to source local or recycled paper, use Forest Stewardship Council accredited paper as it is made from sustainable plantation forests
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
PPT slides to accompany Event Management: Theory and Practice 1e by Wrathall and Gee

20. Avoiding misleading sustainability representations
Some companies promote themselves as ‘green’ with minimal investment in making this so.
Green washing or green sheen is the false promotion of products as eco-friendly.
Event managers must carefully consider all statements made regarding the sustainability of events.
Inaccurate or misleading statements may result in legal proceedings under the Trade Practices Act 1974.
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
PPT slides to accompany Event Management: Theory and Practice 1e by Wrathall and Gee

21. Chapter summary Sustainability for events is becoming crucial.
It is aligned with social responsibility and can enhance an event’s reputation.
Waste Management Plans are crucial for those serious about reducing, reusing and recycling to minimise waste, carbon emissions and other emissions.
Passing the message on to contractors will create a more effective plan.
Converting to green energy or investing in carbon offsets will assist if waste cannot be reduced to zero.
Promoting an event as a ‘green’ event can be problematic from a legal standpoint if you are misleading the public.
Social Responsibility – slide 4
Waste Management Plans – slides 6-14
Contractors – slide 15
Green energy and carbon offsetting – slide 16
Misleading representations – slide 18
Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd
PPT slides to accompany Event Management: Theory and Practice 1e by Wrathall and Gee