Event Promotion
Showcase your event and brand responsibly by considering and minimising the environmental impact of promotional activity and merchandise.
Promotion
- Use paperless marketing: email, website, social media, and campus digital screens; include QR codes linking to event pages and refill maps.
- Design reusable signage (no dates; generic branding) and share banners/tablecloths internally.
- Pre-event communications include: Promote sustainable travel options and accessibility details; encourage car-sharing where possible.
Exhibitors
- Adopt ‘no merch is best merch’ where possible.
- If needed, use existing stock or sustainably sourced items with minimal event‑specific branding; provide clear disposal guidance; record quantities purchased and leftover; consider sustainability of merchandise.
- Ensure any branded items follow circularity principles such as avoiding dates where possible, made from sustainable materials and/or recycled content and are reusable or recyclable with minimal packaging.
- When purchasing items order together to reduce number of deliveries where possible.
Sustainable Merchandise: General Guidance
Choosing event giveaways carefully can significantly reduce waste and environmental impact. When planning merchandise:
- Avoid merchandise altogether where possible – the most sustainable item is the one you don’t produce.
- Choose consumables such as vegan sweets, Fairtrade chocolate, or organic/vegan soaps.
- Opt for plastic‑free items, avoiding unnecessary packaging.
- Select nature‑positive gifts like UK‑appropriate wildflower seeds, herbs, or seed‑embedded pencils.
- Offer reusable items only if truly useful, e.g., cutlery sets, straws, or high‑quality cups/bottles.
- Prioritise recycled or recyclable materials and avoid cheap electronics.
- Skip common items like tote bags—most people already have many.
- Encourage mindful taking by asking attendees to only pick items they genuinely need.
- Use competitions or prize draws (e.g., zero‑waste hamper) instead of mass giveaways.
- A well‑chosen item should reduce waste, avoid plastic, and support positive behaviours—never clutter drawers or end up in landfill.