Sustainable Meetings in Lansing: Your Guide to Green Events

As the world moves toward more sustainable practices, attendees are increasingly seeking events that align with their environmental values. Greater Lansing, MI, offers a range of options for hosting sustainable meetings and events, with a strong emphasis on minimizing environmental impact while maximizing attendee experience.

Here’s a quick guide to help you plan your next green event in Lansing, MI.

Discover Your Venue's Sustainable Services

The Lansing Center is a standout venue for sustainable events in the region. A shining example of their commitment to green practices was the MI Healthy Climate Conference held in May 2024. This event, which focused on climate health in Michigan, incorporated several key sustainable initiatives.

• Comprehensive Composting: In partnership with My Green Michigan, the Lansing Center implemented a comprehensive composting program. All food scraps and compostable products were carefully managed to ensure uncontaminated loads were diverted from landfills, significantly reducing the event's waste footprint.
• Water Conservation: Refillable water stations replaced single-use bottles.
• Sustainable Serviceware: Where porcelain or glass serviceware wasn't feasible, compostable products were used, ensuring that even the event's dining experience was environmentally friendly.

These efforts are part of the Lansing Center’s broader commitment to sustainability. You can explore more of their sustainable practices here.

Reconsider Giveaways

How often have you received a free keychain, note pad, drawstring bag, or other swag item that has gone unused and gotten thrown away? Michigan State University (MSU) provides valuable insights for reducing event waste by reconsidering swag giveaways:

• Skip Giveaways: Consider eliminating giveaway items to reduce waste and instead offer things like discounts to services or products related to your event.
• Choose Sustainable Items: When giveaways are necessary, MSU recommends choosing items that are eco-friendly or have a minimal environmental impact. You can find more tips on sustainable event practices from MSU here.

Other Ways to Reduce Waste 

Here are additional sustainable options to consider while planning your event: 

• Go Linen-Free: Reduce water and energy use by skipping linen tablecloths.
• Incorporate Eco-Friendly Activities: Plan activities that give back to the community and the environment, such as a riverfront cleanup or volunteering at a local food bank. These not only offset some of the environmental impact of your event but also engage attendees in meaningful ways.
• Go Digital: Reduce paper waste with digital programs or a custom event app. In addition to cutting down on waste, apps can also enhance the attendee experience with interactive features and real-time updates.

Why Choose Lansing?

Lansing is committed to sustainability, offering venues and resources that make it easy to plan an eco-friendly event. Start planning your green event in Lansing today!