Home » Menu

Green Bites: 7 Innovative Tips for Sustainable Event Catering

Green Bites: 7 Innovative Tips for Sustainable Event Catering

In today's fast-paced world, sustainability is not just a trend; it's a necessity. As we witness the effects of climate change and environmental degradation, it's evident that we all have a role to play in ensuring a healthier planet for future generations. This movement towards sustainability has touched every industry, including event planning and catering. It's time to redefine how we celebrate, communicate, and connect, ensuring that we leave minimal impact on our environment.

In the spirit of this growing movement, this blog post offers seven innovative tips to help you create a more sustainable event catering experience. Rooted in the concept of "Green Bites," we'll explore strategies that not only consider the environmental impact but also the social and economic aspects of sustainability. Let's help you start your journey towards greener and cleaner event catering with these Seven top tips from Benons Catering.

1. Embrace Local and Seasonal products.

According to a report by The Guardian [1], about 30% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide come from agriculture, making our food choices crucial in mitigating climate change. When we choose local and seasonal ingredients for our events, we reduce the distance food travels, subsequently reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation.

Local sourcing also helps to support small-scale farmers and local businesses, promoting economic sustainability and local content. Seasonal ingredients are typically fresher and tastier, making them an excellent choice for a memorable meal. Moreover, seasonal produce often requires fewer resources for growth and doesn't rely heavily on artificial methods to thrive [2].

2. Use Sustainable Disposables and Tableware

According to a report by National Geographic [7], single-use plastics are a significant environmental problem, contributing to landfill waste and ocean pollution. Unfortunately, many events still rely heavily on single-use plates, cups, cutlery, and other serving materials.

Consider alternatives like biodegradable disposables made from bamboo, palm leaf, or compostable plastic. For a more elegant event, consider renting reusable dishware. While this may involve additional coordination, it can significantly reduce the waste produced by your event [8].

By committing to these additional strategies, you're not only reducing your environmental impact but also setting a positive example for guests and other event planners. Demonstrating your commitment to sustainable practices can significantly enhance your brand's reputation and leave a lasting impression on attendees.

In the next part of this series, we will continue to delve into more innovative strategies for sustainable event catering. Stay tuned!

3. Implement Effective Recycling Programs

Implement an effective recycling program at your event. Recycling is an essential practice for sustainable event catering. It involves providing appropriate recycling bins for different types of waste - plastics, metals, paper, and food waste.

However, having a recycling program is just the first step. It would be best if you also educate your attendees on proper recycling practices. This could be through signage, announcements, or information in the event program [13].

Remember to coordinate with your waste management provider to ensure that your recyclables will indeed be recycled. It's a sad reality that not all waste that's intended for recycling ends up being recycled, often due to contamination with non-recyclable waste [14].

4. Minimize Food Waste

Food waste is a significant contributor to climate change. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations [3], if food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the USA.

In event catering, minimizing food waste starts with careful planning. Estimate your guest count accurately to avoid over-ordering. You could also consider using a portion control strategy to ensure that each attendee receives an adequate serving without excess.

For unavoidable waste, consider composting or partnering with a food recovery organization to donate leftover edible food to people in need. Emphasizing portion control, re-purposing food, and using leftovers creatively are excellent ways to manage food waste [4].

By incorporating these initial steps into your event catering strategy, you'll be well on your way to creating a more sustainable, eco-friendly event that will not only impress your attendees but also make a positive impact on our planet.

5. Plant-Based Menu Options

As more and more people are embracing plant-based diets due to their lower environmental impact, consider offering vegan or vegetarian options at your event. The BBC [5] reports that, in general, the environmental footprint of meat-based meals is higher compared to plant-based ones. Integrating plant-based meals not only reduces your event's carbon footprint but also caters to a broader range of dietary preferences.

Experimenting with various cuisines and flavours can result in delicious and satisfying plant-based meals that will wow even the most dedicated carnivores. Remember, plant-based doesn't have to mean boring or bland; it can be just as varied, colourful, and flavourful as any other type of cuisine [6].

6. Prioritize Water Conservation

Water is an essential resource that's often overlooked in events. Ensuring water conservation in your event can go a long way in reducing your environmental footprint. One way to do this is by serving water in pitchers or water stations rather than offering single-use water bottles. This strategy not only conserves water but also reduces plastic waste [9].

Moreover, when choosing your catering service, consider their water usage practices. Do they implement water-saving techniques in food preparation and cleaning? Asking these questions can help you make a more sustainable choice [10].

7. Choose Ethically Sourced Products

Last but not least, Ethically sourced products take into account the social impact of production. It involves ensuring fair trade, humane treatment of animals, and decent working conditions for staff. Ethical sourcing goes beyond environmental sustainability to consider social responsibility and economic equity [11].

Consider choosing fair-trade coffee, tea, and chocolate, and look for caterers that source their animal products from farms with humane practices. By doing so, you send a powerful message about your commitment to sustainable and ethical practices [12].

As we wrap up this part of the series, we hope you've gathered some valuable insights on how to make your event catering more sustainable. Remember, every step, no matter how small, contributes to a more sustainable future. Stay tuned for the last part of this series, where we will share the final innovative tips for sustainable event catering.

Conclusion

Incorporating sustainability into event catering requires thoughtfulness, but the environmental benefits far outweigh the effort. By embracing local and seasonal ingredients, minimizing food waste, offering plant-based options, using sustainable disposables and tableware, prioritizing water conservation, choosing ethically-sourced products, and implementing effective recycling programs, you can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your event.

Through these seven innovative tips, we hope that you are now well-equipped to create an unforgettable and eco-friendly event. Remember, sustainability is more than just a trend; it is our responsibility. By adopting these practices, we can ensure a healthier and greener future for the generations to come.

In Robert Swan words, "The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." So, let's start making a difference today, one green bite at a time. For more tips and Ideas, subscribe to Benons Catering email list.

References

[1] Carrington, D. (2021). "Farming can become climate neutral by 2040 without cutting beef production or converting substantial areas of farmland into forest." The Guardian.

[2] "Seasonal Food." (2021). Sustainable Food Trust.

[3] "Key facts on food loss and waste you should know!" (2021). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

[4] "Preventing Wasted Food At Home." (2021). United States Environmental Protection Agency.

[5] McGrath, M. (2020). "Climate change: Which vegan milk is best?" BBC News.

[6] Haynes, S. (2019). "The 12 Best Vegetarian and Vegan Cookbooks, According to Chefs." New York Magazine.

[7] Parker, L. (2018). "A whopping 91% of plastic isn't recycled." National Geographic.

[8] "Guide to Compostable Tableware." (2021). Sustainable Jungle.

[9] "Event Water Solutions." (2021). Green Event Ninjas.

[10] "Conserving Water in the Kitchen." (2021). Water Use It Wisely.

[11] "What is Ethical Sourcing?" (2021). Fairtrade Foundation.

[12] "Food and Beverage." (2021). Ethical Consumer.

[13] "How to Improve Recycling in Communities." (2021). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

[14] "Recycling Contamination: How It Hurts Recycling." (2021). Republic Services.

Buy
Online
Now Request
A
Quote

Blog

SEE WHAT'S ON OFFER

Festive Menu Packages

£29.99 - Three Meats Per Guest
£25.99 - Three Meats Per Guest +75no.
£22.99 - Three Meats Per Guest +175no.
£14 - Grilled Fillet of Sea Bass
£13.8 - Root Vegetable and Cranberry Apricot Bake

Basic Sandwich Platter

£14.45 - Buy Per Platter (serves 4-6)

Premium Sandwich Platter

£17.45 - Buy Per Platter (serves 4-6)

Fresh Fruit Skewers

£20.49 - Buy Per Platter (serves 4-6)

Vegetable Dim Sum

£10.20 - Buy Per Per Head
£16.30 - Buy Per Platter (serves 4-6)

Seafood Oriental Seafood Dim Sum

£10.20 - Buy Per Per Head
£18.45 - Buy Per Platter (serves 4-6)

Traditional Snack Selection

£9.40 - Buy Per Per Head
£16.70 - Buy Per Platter (serves 4-6)

Meat Platter

£10.40 - Buy Per Per Head
£20.10 - Buy Per Platter (serves 4-6)

Falafel

£10.20 - Buy Per Per Head
£19.70 - Buy Per Platter (serves 4-6)

Hot & Spicy Coated Prawns

£11.00 - Buy Per Per Head
£20.45 - Buy Per Platter (serves 4-6)

Popcorn Machine Hire

£110.0 - Hire Per Day (4hrs)

Slush Machine Hire

£190 - Buy For 50 Guests Package
£300 - Buy For 100 Guests Package
£390 - Buy For 150 Guests Package

Cheese Board

£11.60 - Buy Per Per Head
£23.49 - Buy Per Platter (serves 4-6)

Basic BBQ Package

£11.80 - Buy Per Per Head
£440 - Buy For 50 Guests Package
£865 - Buy For 100 Guests Package
£1600 - Buy For 150 Guests Package
£1750 - Buy For 200 Guests Package