Want a sustainable event? It's easy to do - if you know how.

By Laura Lukas

Sustainability Coordinator, Blue Plate Catering

I work at Blue Plate Catering in Chicago, and we've implemented tactics - both internally and externally - to help our company, events and our clients be as eco-friendly as possible. 

Throwing events is our profession - and throwing green events is quickly becoming our specialty.

Throwing a green event: it's not difficult to do. It's not expensive. And, it's good for the environment, you and your guests! Follow these five steps to green your next event - whether it's a wedding, business luncheon, baby shower or backyard barbeque.

1)  Decide your frame of mind.  What are you trying to achieve with your green event?  Are you planning to go all out and have signage at each point to highlight what you’ve chosen or do you just want to incorporate a few initiatives quietly?  This will help direct your event.

 2)  Location, location, location.  The best choice for a green venue is an outdoor space that uses little to no lighting or HVAC or a LEED certified building.  Still, even if you choose a venue that isn’t doing its own green thing, they will have great insight on the vendors who come into their facilities frequently about what sustainability steps they are taking and offering to clients.

 3)  Eat green, eat clean.  A green menu can be one of the more challenging elements to incorporate into your event.  If you have a 100 guest party and want a fully sustainable menu, the meat alone could overreach your budget out of the water.  Now imagine that with a 2000 person gala!  You may not be able to get a fully sustainable meal, but try to get some sustainability on the menu.  Start your meal with a completely local and organic salad or only serve seafood that has been deemed sustainable by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch at your event.

 4)  Drink sustainably. If you aren’t looking to incorporate sustainability into the food, bring it into the bar.  A bar featuring sustainable drinks from local microbrews to organic spirits and citrus garnish will really set itself apart from the traditional bar.  If you think your guests may not be receptive to a bar without the common options, simply tie in the green with a signature eco-cocktail in addition to the traditional full bar.  Try a local vodka with an organic orange juice for a Seasonal Screwdriver or pair a local wine with seasonal fruit to make a Regional Sangria.

 5)  Waste not. Meetings and events is a top industry when it comes to waste generation, second only to construction.  You probably won’t be able to completely eliminate waste, but you can approach waste smartly.  Does everyone really need an individual menu on their plate or can you have a framed one in the center of the table?  How will you plan the event to make sure people are able to take leftovers and any remaining food is donated to a food shelter?   In addition to thinking innovatively, make sure you have a strong, properly executed recycling and composting program to ensure as little is ending up in the landfill as possible.  Having a great end story for the event puts a wonderful cap on the evening.