One thing that all small (and large) businesses should do is show some employee appreciation. But why not make it lavish? Actually, it’s one of the best ways to keep your business on the right path because it helps keep motivation.
Honestly, planning an award ceremony for your business is a fantastic way to celebrate achievements, boost morale, and create lasting memories. But you have to keep in mind that they’re fairly wasteful; most celebrations (especially company-wide) tend to produce a lot of waste.
So that’s why there needs to be some awareness about environmental issues; it’s also an excellent opportunity to show your commitment to sustainability by hosting an eco-friendly event. You can still have a ceremony, you can still let them know they matter, and you can still be mindful of the environment!
Overall, creating a green award ceremony not only helps the planet but also aligns your company with the values of environmentally conscious employees, clients, and stakeholders. So, let’s dive into how you can make your award ceremony eco-friendly without sacrificing the joy and excitement that come with it.
It’s Best to Choose a Sustainable Venue
Thankfully, this is becoming pretty easy and prevalent, so there might not have to be too much stress about this! So, think of it this way: choosing a location that’s both beautiful and environmentally responsible sets the tone for your entire event.
So, just go ahead and look for venues that have sustainability certifications or green initiatives in place. There are a lot of places now that offer energy-efficient lighting, waste reduction programs, and even use renewable energy sources.
You either need to call the venue or just look at their website because there’s usually a page that states their dedication to sustainability.
But maybe you need to save money, and a venue isn’t an option. Well, that’s fine too, because if you’re hosting the ceremony at your own office, consider ways to make the space greener—like maximizing natural light, using energy-efficient bulbs, and ensuring proper recycling facilities are in place.
Stick with Digital Invitations
While yes, paper invites are cute; they’re also becoming increasingly outdated, not to mention wasteful. So, ideally, you’re going to want to embrace the convenience and eco-friendliness of digital invitations.
Platforms like Evite or Paperless Post offer beautifully designed e-vites that are just as elegant and personalized as traditional paper ones. Plus, it’s way cheaper to go with the route, too.
It’s Okay to Skip Decorations
You can skip decorations if you want, this is just a company award ceremony, so there’s not much of an expectation for this anyways. However, if you’re downright inclined to have some decor (which is understandable) then there are some options there too.
For example, potted plants can double as both decoration and gifts for your guests to take home, adding a nice touch to your ceremony. If you’re up for a fun DIY project, you can even repurpose old items into new decorations—like turning old jars into candle holders or using reclaimed wood for signage.
Pick Sustainable Awards
While there’s nothing wrong with traditional trophies, you have to keep in mind that they’re often made of materials that are not environmentally friendly. For the most part, award plaques are usually eco-friendly, specifically if they’re made of wood. But you can even look into awards that are made with sustainable materials such as bamboo, recycled glass, or reclaimed wood.
But it’s totally fine if you want to think outside the box, too! You could even look into rewards such as experiences or donations to environmental causes as awards. For example, winners could receive a tree planted in their name or a donation to a green charity they care about.
Promote Green Transportation
All right, so this one might sound a bit weird, but it still deserves some attention! Ideally, you should try to encourage your guests to carpool, use public transportation, or even bike to the event. If your budget allows, you could arrange for a shuttle service using electric or hybrid vehicles.
Just think about it: this not only reduces the event’s carbon footprint but also makes it easier for guests to arrive and depart comfortably. At the end of the day, the company needs to do anything and everything to help contribute to a better environment.
Think About Waste Management
Sometimes, venues take care of this; sometimes, they don’t. But as the ceremony draws to a close, think about how to handle any leftover materials. So it’s best to just plan ahead for proper disposal of decorations and food. If the company is having to deal with waste management, then just try to compost everything.
Article and permission to publish here provided as Contributed Content. Originally written for Supply Chain Game Changer and published on June 9, 2024.
Cover photo by Wan San Yip on Unsplash.