People-powered sustainability at events

At Theater Amsterdam, we strive for a sustainable future. Not only in terms of waste management, but also in the area of people. In our previous blog, we already showed the measures we took to reduce and recycle waste during events. Now we want to delve deeper into other important aspects of sustainability, such as setting sustainable goals, awareness among our staff, and sharing knowledge with others in the industry.

Setting, analyzing, and improving sustainable goals per event

For every event taking place at Theater Amsterdam, we set sustainable goals. For example, we want to reduce the amount of waste, recycle required materials as much as possible, limit energy consumption, and use sustainable materials. These goals are carefully measured, analyzed, and evaluated, so we can track and improve our performance. By continuously striving for sustainability, we can continue to make a positive impact.

Raising awareness among staff regarding sustainability

Our staff plays an essential role in achieving our sustainability goals. That is why we believe it is important to make them aware of the impact they can have. We regularly organize meetings to inform our staff about sustainability issues and involve them in our efforts. In every team, including technology, catering, and the maintenance and design of the building, we look at which sustainable choices can be implemented. By working together and acting consciously, we can make a big difference as a team.

Sharing knowledge, cross-pollination: how to recycle leftover food?

An important aspect of sustainability is minimizing food waste. At Theater Amsterdam, we have our own team of top chefs who combat food waste by transparently discussing the number of dishes with the client and advising them on the quantity of dishes. 

In addition, any leftovers are immediately cooled down and incorporated into new dishes. By investing in new kitchen equipment to cool down dishes in a safe way, our kitchen has managed to keep food waste to a minimum. We want to share our knowledge and experience in this area with others in the industry, so they can also take measures to combat food waste. Together, we can bring about positive change.

Making more conscious choices

Awareness is the first step to change. We encourage not only our staff to make conscious choices, but also our visitors and clients. By making them aware of the impact of their choices, we hope they will consider sustainability an important aspect when organizing and attending events. In our venue, for example, our visitors will find waste bins everywhere with a clear separation of plastic, paper, and residual waste. Together, we can shape a sustainable future. 

Being critical of suppliers

Sustainability extends to all our partnerships. We strive to work with suppliers who apply the same sustainability standards as we do. We also work exclusively with local partners to minimize transport movements and keep distances short. We are critical when selecting suppliers, and we encourage them to adopt sustainable practices as well. For example, we have a successful collaboration with Amsterdam Water, a climate-neutral supplier. As a result, we use glass deposit bottles that can be reused up to 50 times. These bottles are subsequently recycled into new ones. By making careful choices in our supply chain, we jointly contribute to a positive impact on the environment and society.

Compelling Green Thinking

In addition to our own efforts, we also try to influence the event managers who want to set up events with us. As an event venue, we have a unique position to inspire others. We share our expertise, offer advice, and encourage event managers to make sustainable choices. 

For example, we advise our clients on choosing a plant-based menu and encourage them to share materials with other parties so they can be used for several days by different clients. But we also start discussions about the number of guests coming to an event by car, and whether there are possibilities to have guests arrive by public transport or bicycle. By working together, we can make a significant impact on reducing our ecological footprint and making the event industry greener. 

Firmly incorporating into the proposal, as well as the budget

When organizing events, it is important to integrate sustainability from the very beginning. Therefore, we standardly include sustainability aspects in our proposals and budgets. This way, we ensure that sustainability is an integral part of the event and that sufficient resources are allocated to implement sustainable practices.

At Theater Amsterdam, we are continuously engaged in people-powered sustainability. We believe that by working together, sharing knowledge, and making conscious choices, we can make a positive impact on both the event industry and the world around us. 

Are you inspired by our sustainable approach and do you want to discover more about the possibilities at Theater Amsterdam? Download our brochure here or contact us without any obligation.