Wealden District Council is committed to protecting and improving our natural environment, reducing our emissions and enhancing the quality of life for our residents.
We realise it is important for all of us to understand the impact we have on our environment and take steps towards a more sustainable future. We understand that it is important to work with and encourage businesses and the community to do this.
The Council wants to support, local businesses, festivals and events and we want to help them to develop and thrive. We are also very aware that traditional events such as bonfire celebrations, firework events, classic car shows, steam engine fairs are very popular and important for local communities and that we need to work together to make sure they continue to operate and be successfully.
We recognise that it is important to have a vibrant cultural, leisure and entertainment economy. It is recognised that this is important for the well-being of individuals involved and for the community.
Businesses can
- lead by example,
- have a positive effect on our local society and economy,
- reduce the cost of running events,
- reduce their Environmental impact and
- operate in a sustainable way.
Consumers care about
- businesses green credentials and
- the effect of business activities such as water, noise and light pollution on wildlife and the natural environment
Employees like
- working for a company that cares about nature and the local environment
Outdoor Events, Festivals and Licensed Premises
All outdoor events, festivals and Licensed Premises have environmental footprints – from the consumption of energy, water, food and materials, and they produce waste and carbon emissions. Planning Events and developing business operations to be net zero from the beginning can help to reduce their environmental and carbon footprint
Managing the waste from events and businesses is crucial and by applying the waste hierarchy – which means avoiding waste, prioritise the re-use of materials e.g. not buying more that is necessary, ensure that can and do return unused materials, equipment and produce, renting equipment and materials where it is practical, increasing recycling.
There is also now a legal requirement that requires organisers to try and eliminate single use plastics for by example considering the use of reuseable cups, water bottles, eliminating the use of plastic straws, stirrers and other equipment.
Ideally organisers and businesses should increase their use of renewable energy on site and within their premises by reducing their use of fossil fuels and use 100% renewable electricity at venues, buildings and offices etc. Additionally need to consider trying to minimise the use of water and be efficient with the use of water.
Food is important for any event, festival or business and encouraging and supporting local producers and suppliers to attend occasions and provide food and materials is positive for the environment and local economy. Need to encourage the availability of vegetarian and plant-based options menu choices, reduce food waste and recycle waste that does arise.
It is important that organisers of events, festivals and businesses develop green travel plans which means promoting walking, cycling and the use of public transport for staff, customers, artists, crew and contractors, site production and onsite transport. Clearly arrangements need to be safe and suitable for the area that events are being held at and businesses will need to consider what is sustainable.
So in summary:-
If you are organising an event
- Plan what resources you need for your event, buy only what you need, consider renting equipment, facilities and materials, avoid products that have lots of packaging and try to avoid waste.
- If you need to buy produce, source materials or facilities offer local if that is possible
- Where possible reuse resources
- Recycle locally where you can and provide recycling facilities for customers
- Ensure that all rubbish is removed at the end of the event
- Try to use renewable energy to run your event.
- Food production is responsible for a quarter of all greenhouse gas that are produced each year. It is important to consider the type of food outlets that are available at your event and try to offer a choice of food that reduces the environmental impact.
- Ideally food is locally produced, and plant-based products are available and promoted.
- Consider whether it is possible to offer healthier options
- Consider whether it is feasible to encourage people to safely walk or cycle, use public transport or car share by offering incentives.
- Try to encourage local community involvement. This can help to support the well-being of the community, develop your reputation and help to grow your event, festival in the longer term
If you run a Licensed Business
- Consider whether it is feasible to encourage people to safely walk or cycle, use public transport or car share by offering incentives.
- If it’s safe and practicable, consider whether you can provide good facilities for people who wish to cycle such as a place to lock and store bicycles. This is useful for both staff and customers.
- Some business may wish to investigate whether it is feasible to offer car charging points for electric vehicles, including electric bikes.
- Plan what resources you need for your business, buy only what you need, avoid products that have lots of packaging and try to avoid waste. This helps to reduce costs and reduce your carbon footprint
- If you need to buy produce offer local if that is possible. Customers are increasingly positive about trying to buy food or other products from the local area. It also helps to support and grow the local economy.
- Where possible reuse resources as this saves money and has a less negative effect on our environment.
- Recycle locally where you can and provide well labelled recycling facilities for customers and staff
- Consider whether it is possible to use green energy to provide heat and light for your business. In the long run this can help to cut the cost of your energy and hopefully keep your bills down. There are organisations that can be approached for more advice on this. Please see the link below in the section on support for businesses and more information.
- Food production is responsible for a quarter of all greenhouse gas that are produced each year. If you offer food, it is important to consider the type and where the food is from. Where possible try to provide food from local producers and offer a choice of food or menu choices that include plant-based products. This helps to reduce the effect on the natural world.
- It’s great to offer and make available locally produced food produce and plant-based products and meals as many customers want and are interested in this. It is a good way of presenting your business in a positive light and can be used to promote your business.
- Consider offering some healthier food options and promoting them on your menu if it is feasible. Customers will appreciate this, and it will help them if they are wanting to eat out but are also trying to protect their health. This will help you to build up a positive reputation.
- Don’t forget your toilets and the products you use in this area and for cleaning your premises. There are products and cleaning products that work well but have a reduced effect on the environment.
- Single use plastics are no longer permitted, and it is important that you consider how best to reduce the use of throw away containers, reusable cups, glasses, knives, forks, spoons, straws and plates.
- Try to encourage community participation in your business. This can help to support the well-being of the community and develop your customer base in the area that your business is operating in.
Support for business and more information
It is important to understand that Climate Change is the long-term shift in average weather patterns across the world and if we are to avoid the most harmful effects of Climate Change, such as more extreme weather, warmer summers, wetter winters, and increased sea levels, we must take action to reduce our impacts on the environment now.
Wealden District Council Strategy mission is to be an enabling and enterprising council working alongside our communities to create a greener, fairer, and kinder district for present and future generations. One of our main priorities is to protect the environment and lead the district towards carbon neutrality.
There is more information about support that is available to businesses on Wealden’s website and this can be accessed via the following link Business Support: Net Zero | Let’s Talk Wealden
Other useful, detailed and very relevant information for those organising festival and outdoor events can be found on the following link The Show Must Go On – Vision 2025
This information is also useful for some Licensed businesses.