Organizing events, even environment-related events, contribute waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
“Yes. Even environment-related activities can also be guilty of not being environment-friendly,” said Ruel Kenneth Pelices, Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) policy advocacy officer during Monday’s presentation of Kapehan sa Dabaw weekly press forum.
Pelices said that event organizers should adopt for “green event”, eco-friendly ways of organizing events that will lessen the usage of single-use materials.
IDIS, in partnership with Sustainable Davao Movement, crafted guidelines on how to organize a green event – from choice of the venue, stage decorations, healthy food, invitations and promotions, and giveaways and souvenir items.
For venue, Pelices said that it is best to conduct events outdoors, or venues which have good natural ventilation.
“Outdoors is much way better since we don’t have to use air conditioning units, as they release greenhouse gas emissions such as chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) that destroy the ozone layer,” he said.
Pelices said that instead of styrofoam, tarpaulin backdrops and banners, as stage design, organizers should use light-emitting diode (LED) projectors and screens.
He said that using LED as an alternative trend, would not only be more eco-friendly, but also cost efficient.
“If you can’t do away with the usage of tarpaulin, make sure it will be reused or recycled by your organization,” Pelices said.
Environmentalists also recommend serving healthy food, locally produced by Davao farmers.
The guideline also says that event clients should inform the organizers in advance to use the following: glass instead of bottled waters, opt for fruit/vegetables instead of softdrinks, dinnerware/chinaware plates without plastic packaging, and reusable spoons, instead of one-time plastic stirrers and utensils.
For invitation and promotion, Pelices said that organizers should go paperless.
“Let’s use minimal paper, because when we send invitation through cards or papers, once they are read by recipients, they end up in the trash bins,” he said.
“Let us take advantage of the internet, such as e-mail and social media, in disseminating information and invites,” he said.
For giveaways and souvenirs, Pelices urged organizers to use practical and reusable welcome gifts.
He said that government agencies should also adopt these guidelines.
“As we share the vision of a greener, sustainable Davao City, let us be mindful that we all have a share in reducing garbage in our landfills,” Pelices said.
