Public Events

By their nature, public events involve large numbers of people convening at one location. They all need to travel to get there. Your event planning can affect their transportation choices and the air emissions that result. Consider the following questions when planning a large public event:

Public Transit
If there are options, try to choose a venue that is well serviced by public transit. Include transit route information in the event promotional materials. Provide incentives for its use.

There is often limited choice of venues for large public events. The only practical location may not be well-served by public transit, or the existing service may not be able to accommodate large numbers of event participants. In these cases, discuss with your local transit operator how transit services might be enhanced for the duration of the event; special shuttles to the venue from major transit hubs, for example, or additional buses to accommodate the crowds. Include the transit information in the event promotional materials.

Consider the following incentives to encourage people to use public transit to attend the event:

• Transit fare is discounted when presenting an event ticket
• Transit is free on presentation of an event ticket (a portion of the event ticket price could be used to pay the transit operator’s costs for the added service). Negotiate with the transit operator and event coordinator.
• Discounted event ticket price when someone shows a bus pass
• Limit parking availability or charge for its use.

Food and beverage services
Whether you will be arranging the catering directly, or contracting others to do so, you can influence what is served, how it is served, what wastes are generated, and how the wastes are collected.

• Request that condiments (e.g. ketchup etc, milk and cream) be provided in bulk dispensers, not disposable individual packets.
• Ensure all beverages are sold in recyclable containers. Provide well-marked bins to collect recyclables conveniently throughout the event venue.
• Try sourcing biodegradable products if disposable items such a cups, cutlery, serving plates or take-out trays are required (see Resources Section for sources).

Will there be signage for the event?

• If it is a one-time event, use signage materials that can be recycled.
• If it is an annual event, develop durable signage that can be re-used year after year. If the dates need changing, design the signs so that date changes can be made easily without compromising the quality of the signage.
• For on-site electric signs, consider the use of a solar panel to power them, to reduce electricity use and emissions from on-site generators.

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