Re-thinking waste: a 2020 vision for zero waste events
August 3, 2012

Today begins a five-week period of public engagement (ending September 10) for a dedicated events industry roadmap that will help the sector tackle waste, better use resources, and save money. This is an opportunity for anyone involved in events, in whatever capacity, to help develop this important industry document.

Developed as part of the EPOW project (European Pathway to Zero Waste) "Re-thinking waste: a 2020 vision for zero waste events" sets out a vision for collective action on reducing waste to landfill, and steps the industry can follow to achieve this UK-wide.

EPOW is seeking feedback on the roadmap's vision, suggested collective steps to take, the timeframe and individual actions outlined.

The roadmap is of relevance to diverse groups within the events industry supply chain including, but not limited to, event organisers/planners, their managers and contractors, venue owners and promoters, corporate sponsors, local authorities, waste contractors, hospitality and catering companies and construction firms and builders.

Mervyn Jones, EPOW Task Leader, said:  "The events industry is huge business for the UK worth an estimated £36 billion* per annum to the national economy and employing hundreds of thousands of people. It produces a variety of wastes from food waste to staging, signage, flooring systems etc. How it manages its resources is crucial for the bottom line of individual business, and for the environment.

"Significant improvements for integrating sustainability initiatives into the planning and delivery of events have been made in recent years. The roadmap vision will help people to improve their own performance and play their part. Working with industry - for industry - "Re-thinking waste: a 2020 vision" is for any event, however large or small the platform, and whatever the occasion - be it sporting, cultural or commercial. The roadmap will also help on the route towards BS8901 and ISO20121 sustainability management standard accreditation."

The 2020 vision aims to "Achieve a zero waste to landfill event sector by 2020, where we make the most efficient use of resources by minimising demand on primary resources, and maximise the re-use, recycling and recovery of all event resources instead of treating them as waste". This is a key area EPOW is inviting feedback on.

The roadmap will be supported by a resource section linking with a number of case studies demonstrating industry best practice and available resources, including the Resource Management Plan (RMP) tool . The final roadmap will help towards delivering business benefits including:

• reducing material and waste management related costs
• identifying opportunities to further reduce waste, increase re-use and recycling content
• meeting sustainable environmental targets as well as corporate social responsibility
• demonstrating sustainable credentials to perspective clients as well as retaining existing clients
• better positioning businesses in a more resource constrained world

To take part in the public engagement, which runs from Thursday 2 August until Monday 10 September, please visit Event industry roadmap | WRAP UK