To close our #CarnivalSeries I’ve created an eco-friendly carnival guide that can be used by partiers/masqueraders and event planners to make this carnival our most sustainable season to date. I hope you enjoy!
Part 1: For partiers and masqueraders:
Many persons want to be more sustainable and produce a lower ecological footprint. To help you achieve this, here is a list of moves you can make:
Costume: Try to avoid purchasing accessories that you know you will discard after the parade. If you have clothes that you do no longer use, you can also be creative and reinvent them, creating your own unique costume!
Costume recycling: Whether you made your own costume or played with a band, opt to have it recycled with Carnicycle so it's components can be put to good use. Check out our blog on them here.
Cutlery: Avoid single-use cutlery by walking with a small kit containing reusable cutlery and a reusable straw (click here to see an option from The Last Straw & More TT). It is also useful to carry a handkerchief.
Food: When choosing which vendors to purchase from, pay keen attention and support vendors who implement sustainable initiatives. Who knows – in some cases, there may even be discounts involved!
Glitter: Ordinary glitter consists of micro-sized pieces of plastic, instead, choose to opt for a biodegradable option, which you can source from Eco-Minded Supplies.
Hydration: Carry your own reusable bottle and pre-fill it with water before you go to your event. You can also walk with a cup if that’s what you prefer.
Skin: If you’re going to be on the road, protect your skin with hydrating lotions, lip balms, reef-safe sunscreen, and anti-bug bite spray – you can source all of these from Wakeful Wonders. Furthermore, if using body paint, do your research and use non-toxic options.
Tickets: Where possible, opt to purchase your tickets online to avoid having to get a physical, printed ticket.
Transportation: Choose to carpool or use public transportation to get to your events.
Waste: The only thing you should be pelting is waist! Throw garbage into appropriate bins, once possible (separate items based on what can be recycled and composted).
Part 2: For event planners & coordinators:
Many event professionals have an interest in reducing the environmental impact of their events but often fear that it will take up to much time and/money. However, it might be quite the opposite. Below is a list of simple decisions event planner and coordinators can make to be more sustainable:
Advertising: Do most of your marketing through social media instead of printed brochures. Moreover, communicate your new initiatives in advance so patrons know what to expect.
Bins: Make sure that there are enough general, recyclable and composting bins to accommodate the number of expected patrons and place them in accessible locations. Choosing good signage is also important; it should be clear and bold.
Clean-up: After the party, organize a clean-up crew and encourage willing patrons to get involved.
Educate: Where possible, invite eco-friendly brands and NGOs to set up booths at your event so they can educate persons about being eco-friendly.
Food: Encourage persons to bring their own containers and set up a dishwashing station on-site. You can also ensure that vendors offer compostable options for persons who do not bring their own and collect used oil so it can be recycled with Ecoimpact Company Ltd.
Hydration: Place a ban on bottled water and collaborate with Hydra-STATION. Next, encourage patrons to bring their own bottle OR distribute branded options.
Management: Hire a sustainability manager (for example, Yugen Solutions ;) or appoint a specific person on the team to oversee this aspect of planning.
Noise: Be mindful of the amount of noise that will be created and work with the local community to make sure they are comfortable.
Promotional Items: Opt-out of unnecessary promotional products and make your promotional items as sustainable as possible.
Purchasing: Purchase from local, eco-friendly suppliers as much as possible. For example, ask local craftspeople to create any needed artwork and/or only use local liquor brands.
Recycling: Implement a recycling program in collaboration with the EMA to reduce waste.
Straws: Ban them and encourage persons to bring their own reusable straws if needed.
Transport: Discourage single car use and encourage carpooling. Having dedicated shuttles from key locations is also a great way to bring in customers from other locations.
Tickets: Use an online ticketing system and then just collect postcode data from your visitors at the point of purchase.
Venue: Choose a venue that uses energy- and water-efficient equipment. Furthermore, you can choose to work with an environmental/wildlife NGO to ensure minimal disruption.
Wristbands: Consider using biodegradable materials to make your bands like paper, cotton (strings) or even hemp.
Want to openly show your commitment to sustainability?
Yugen Solutions hosts a public online registry for businesses with sustainable initiatives. The ordinary price is $200TT for a yearly membership, however, for the month of February, the price is only $100TT. Click here to learn more!
Now, what do you think? Anything you think we should add? Did you enjoy our 4-week carnival series? Would you like to see a similar series in the future? Let us know by commenting below!
- Jamala A.