Noah Ellis, founder of Nomadic, a woodland dining experience, shares his top tips on producing a sustainable Christmas event...
Christmas is often a time of overconsumption and waste - but it doesn’t have to be. There are some simple ways that brands can deliver and enjoy more sustainable festive experiences.
1. Choose a venue that makes your job easier
If sustainability is important to you, find a venue that shares the same ethos. Over the years we’ve realised that a simple way to create and deliver sustainable events is to partner with brands and suppliers that share the same vision as you. We are increasingly selective about the brands we choose to partner with and likewise they continue to challenge us.
If you’re a brand or venue, make it abundantly clear if you’re taking appropriate steps to become a sustainable business and ask the same of your provider.
2. Pay attention to food miles and food waste
If you’re serious about delivering a sustainable event this Christmas, pay attention to food miles and food waste.
Local, seasonal ingredients not only taste better but they are better for the environment than food flown thousands of miles around the world.
When working with a venue or catering company, ensure your ingredients come from the British Isles, incorporating as many locally-sourced, in-season ingredients as possible.
In the UK, we throw away 9.5 million tons of food every year. This is a saddening statistic to hear at a time when food poverty and hunger is high. Sometimes it can be hard to gauge just how much guests will want to eat at a festive event, but working with a food charity like The Trussell Trust or an organisation such as Olio will provide you with an option to donate any excess food to those who need it most.
3. Limit single use plastic
The event and hospitality industry has come a long way when it comes to limiting single use plastic, but making this one change is a simple way to instantly create a more environmentally friendly Christmas event. As an alternative to plastics choose to work with an organisation such as Whole Leaf Co who offer biodegradable bowls, plates and cutlery, for example.
