Sustainable Events On Vancouver Island, Synergy Enterprises is a leader in even carbon management and sustainable event planning. It can support you in planning, implementing, and measuring the impact of your event and the success of your sustainability tactics if it is a key deliverable of your event. If you are just getting started with hosting more sustainable events, this section will include a few tips on where to take those first steps. Guidelines for zero-waste and low-impact events A zero-waste event doesn’t mean eliminating all waste. The goal is to create a system that reduces the overall waste generated, prioritizes reuse, and ensures that any remaining waste is recycled, composted, donated, or otherwise diverted from landfills. Even without professional guidance, there are some key actions you can take to make your event more sustainable: 1. Prioritize local a. Using local vendors helps contribute to economic and community sustainability. Tourism Nanaimo can support any questions about local vendors 2. Eliminate single-use items a. Opt for water refill stations rather than bottles, and use proper cutlery rather than plastic when possible. 3. Avoid print materials in favour of digital materials. If print cannot be avoided, try to use local printers and recycled paper. 4. Work with your venue to ensure recycling bins are plentiful 5. For giveaways and prizes, consider reusable items like branded water bottles, totes, or a curated welcome piece (hoodie, socks, something that is unlikely to wind up in the garbage) 6. Opt for lanyards that can be returned/ reused 7. Rent decorations and supplies rather than purchase them Carbon Offsets Carbon offsetting is the process of compensating for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as CO₂, from activities such as travel, energy use, or manufacturing, by funding projects that reduce or remove an equivalent amount of emissions elsewhere. While the goal should always be to reduce as much as possible, carbon offsetting can be a meaningful way to leave a destination better than when you arrived. You can calculate and purchase carbon offset credits through Carbonzero, which allows you to direct your support to a project of your choosing. The Great Beat Forest Carbon Project is a popular option with a direct impact on British Columbia. How to Plan Regenerative Tourism Experiences Regenerative tourism goes beyond sustainable tourism by not just minimizing harm but actively restoring ecosystems, reviving cultures, and benefiting local communities. It asks: “How can this trip leave the place better than we found it?” Some key principles of regenerative tourism include: • Place-based: Designed around the unique history, ecology, and people of a place • Co-created: Planned with locals, not just for tourists • Restorative: Heals Ecosystems, cultures, and communities • Educative: Inspires travelers to become stewards and change-makers • Equitable: Distributes power and profits fairly Ways that you can engage in regenerative tourism with your meeting or event in Nanaimo include: • Donate leftover food or event materials through local redistribution networks. (Risebridge Society, FoodShare Nanaimo, Salvation Army) • Offset your event’s carbon footprint by supporting local environmental projects. (See tips above for carbon offsetting) • Offer an “opt-in” donation option during event registration for a local cause. • Collaborate with a local artist or youth group to create an installation or performance during your event. • Host a volunteer opportunity as a pre-conference or breakout session (beach cleanup, community garden work, youth mentoring). • Feature local social enterprises in delegate bags, speaker gifts, or catering. • Cultural tours on Saysutshun Island
