The festive season can be a difficult time to keep a grip on any company’s sustainability efforts, as plastic knickknacks, energy-guzzling decorations and food waste abound. Keep these tips in mind to make your next office party more sustainable, without cutting back on the celebrations.
Green gifting
The annual office secret santa might be a fun way to bring teams together, but can also lead to single-use, gimmicky gifting. Encourage more mindful consumption by suggesting some eco guidelines, like a plastic ban, or opting for second hand gifts only.
Be venue savvy
If you’re celebrating away from the office, choosing a central and accessible location that’s close to public transport options will make all the difference to the carbon footprint of your festive do. Consider organising group transport to avoid separate car journeys.
Think outside the box
When planning activities, think about lower impact options that don’t involve shopping for anything new. There are all sorts of planet-friendly ways to bring the team together, like wreath making, a bring-your-own-games night, or a potluck buffet.
Conscious catering
Whether you’re picking a caterer or buying snacks, opt for locally-sourced ingredients, go meat-free where you can, and keep the number of RSVPs in mind to avoid food waste.
Decor that gives back
Avoid rushing out to buy plush new tinsel and baubles every year. Instead of chucking away reams of glittery decorations when January rolls around, take some extra care to store them away for next year. Better yet, get the team involved in crafting recyclable decorations like paper chains and snowflakes.
Feel-good donations
A festive party is the perfect opportunity to come up with team activities that could do some good. Organise a collection of warm clothing donations, arrange a charity bake sale or do a volunteering day at a local environmental organisation. The festivities will shine brighter if you’re giving something back…
