How to spot greenwashing when choosing a sustainable event venue

With the rise of green marketing, it can be difficult to determine which companies are making significant and measurable progress towards their eco-friendly commitments.

Sustainability is now a key part of venue shortlisting, but not every claim is easy to assess.

For corporate event organisers, phrases such as “green”, “eco-friendly” and “sustainable” only mean something if they are backed up by clear evidence. The challenge is knowing what to ask, what to look for and how to separate meaningful action from marketing language.

When choosing a sustainable event venue, it helps to look beyond broad statements and focus on the practical details: accreditation, carbon reporting, supplier choices, waste management, catering, energy use and what you can actually see on a site visit.

Here are five ways to spot greenwashing when planning your next event.

1. Look for recognised sustainability accreditations

When researching a venue’s sustainable credentials check for nationally and internationally recognised accreditations. To be independently accredited by a reliable body should involve a robust audit and measurement of impacts across the entire life cycle of a venue. Not simply a goal to be achieved, accreditation is something to be maintained as part of a long-term commitment to measuring and reducing a venue’s carbon footprint.

Following our accreditation as the UK’s first Platinum ECOsmart Venue, we were invited to join the Greengage Platinum Inner Circle. We meet regularly with fellow representatives from the UK’s most sustainable events venues to share ideas for tackling common environmental challenges such as food waste.

2. Ask for evidence, not just claims

Don’t be afraid to request data, benchmarks and successes from a venue to substantiate its claims. Venue operators should have a thorough understanding of the waste streams and data regarding resource management, recycling and energy usage should be available. A short walk from 15Hatfields, our event catering partner Eden Caterers is able to track food miles on request, to ensure quality ingredients are sourced with carbon footprints in mind.

3. Look at the venue’s suppliers

Venues are fed by a range of suppliers from catering and linen suppliers to recycling and waste management companies. In-house auditing is an important first step but for a venue to become truly sustainable, its suppliers must be committed to joining them on this journey. Enquire about how venue staff are collaborating with suppliers, the kinds of questions that are being asked, and supplier audits that have taken place.

Of course, as more suppliers become involved, complications and delays may arise. When we committed to eliminating all single-use plastic from our venue and supply chain in 2019, we encountered many surprises and challenges. This is why transparency is so important as we support each other in finding sustainable solutions.

4. Use your site visit to check the details

Beyond the room and set-up, what do you notice as you walk around the venue? Are recycling bins readily available? Are the staff informed when it comes to the environmental work of the venue? With the range of reusable and refillable options available, if a venue is serious about sustainability, you will not find disposable cutlery or single-use plastic packaging.

When planning a conference, meeting, training day or reception at 15Hatfields, you will see practical sustainability measures throughout the venue, including reusable jars and bottles made from recycled glass.

5. Ask what advice the venue gives organisers

In order to make significant reductions to carbon emissions by 2030, communication and teamwork are needed across the hospitality industry. A venue may have invested in the latest energy efficiency measures but are they forthcoming with tips to help delegates save energy at your event? Take note of venue managers who are proactive in giving advice on how to reduce the environmental impact of your event.

It is also worth checking whether the venue offers practical planning advice, such as guidance on reducing food waste, choosing more responsible catering options, improving energy efficiency or understanding the carbon impact of an event.

Avoiding greenwashing is not about expecting perfection. It is about choosing a venue that can explain what it is doing, show how decisions are made and provide evidence where it matters.

At 15Hatfields, sustainability is built into the way our venue operates, from renewable energy and responsible catering to waste management, supplier choices and event carbon reporting.

If you are planning a corporate event and want sustainability claims you can understand and evidence, speak to our team.