Attendees are calling for more sustainable events, and rightly so.
But sustainability isn’t solely the responsibility of event organisers.
As attendees, we all play a role in shaping what a responsible, modern event looks like. You still want inspiring keynotes, great connections and a seamless experience – but you also want to reduce your footprint and see sustainability in action.
That means rethinking what we expect from events.
Sustainability is quickly becoming the new standard in event design, with everything from plastic-free lanyards to plant-based menus.
But there’s still one piece missing:
How attendees choose to show up.
Everyone wants greener events. But are we willing to change what those events look like?
True sustainability doesn’t mean less experience. It means less excess. It’s about making thoughtful choices that signal the kind of world we want to live in.
If every attendee made just one mindful shift, the collective impact would be extraordinary.
Being a mindful attendee isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about showing up with intention – reducing waste, cutting emissions and helping events become better by design.
“Sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. It means redefining what quality looks like. As attendees, we have the power to shift the culture by showing that mindful choices matter.”
– Stewart Moore
CEO & Founder, EarthCheck
Mindful planning starts before you even arrive.
Make conscious decisions early – from what you pack to how you travel – and give event organisers the information they need to plan better, waste less and deliver a more sustainable experience.
Here’s how to show up with purpose.
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Research by the Advertising Specialty Institute found that almost one quarter of promotional items are thrown away, with only 21% being kept long term.
According to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), as much as 20% of event food ends up wasted – waste that comes at a cost not only to the planet but to planners’ budgets and reputations. Globally, the U.N. estimates food waste accounts for 8–10% of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Event Industry Council (EIC) estimates that the average conference attendee produces ~1.89 kg of waste per day, much of it from single-use coffee cups, bottles and printed materials.
Your presence makes a difference.
You don’t have to compromise your experience to cut the excess. A mindful attendee makes the little choices that add up.
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The event may be over, but your impact isn’t.
Sustainability doesn’t stop at the closing keynote. Take what you’ve learned and keep the momentum going.
Responsible travel doesn’t end with the trip. That’s just the beginning of your impact.
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Responsible travel doesn’t end with the trip. That’s just the beginning of your impact.
There are more than 476 million Indigenous Peoples, found in all regions of the world, from the Arctic to the tropical forests. They make up more than 6 per cent of our global population.
In the spirit of reconciliation, EarthCheck acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout the world and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Indigenous Peoples today.
EarthCheck acknowledges that Indigenous Peoples are guardians of the forests and biodiversity hotspots we all depend on. Research shows that lands managed by Indigenous Peoples, with secure rights, experience lower deforestation rates, store more carbon, hold more biodiversity, and benefit more people than other lands — including protected areas.
We recognise and support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration is a positive document that maps out a path for Indigenous Peoples to be free from discrimination and secure in their identities and life choices.
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