Event suppliers told to recycle or get binned

EVENTS and marketing company Fresh Group is setting up a ‘green’ supplier database for the events industry, and insisting its own suppliers sign-up, or get the boot.

The Cheadle-based company is compiling the business list after itself achieving the international standard for an environmental management system (ISO 14001) earlier this year.

The standard encourages organisations to minimise any harmful effects they may have on the environment.

The database will include every supplier that complies with the environmental standard and be available to the entire UK events industry by the end of 2009.

Fresh is going to impose this green agenda on its own supply chain and make it an integral part of any business agreement. It says it will turn to alternative suppliers if buy-in is not gained from its existing partners.

Nick Porter, managing director of Fresh Group, said: “The benefit of this database is that it will enable the event industry to look beyond environmental issues and explore sustainability as a whole.

“Being environmentally aware doesn’t always have to come with a cost attached, especially in terms of re-using items at different events. With some of the larger venues, such as Earls Court and Olympia, having already achieved the BS8901 accreditation, there’s even more pressure for events companies to also be accredited.

“As more venues become environmentally sound, companies which do not have a defined environmental statement may find that certain venues will be unwilling to work with them.”

Fresh is also working on gaining the British standard in sustainable events management (BS8901). In-house environmental initiatives include: working with other companies to develop a shuttle bus service to promote public transport and cut down on car emissions and setting up a car share/public transport incentive scheme.