Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; at Faulhaber, we believe it’s a responsibility we all share. As proud members of 1% For the Planet, we pride ourselves in keeping sustainability practices in mind in all that we do. By being more mindful of the choices we make every day, we can contribute to a greener future while still hosting incredible events, sending out beautifully crafted mailers, and delivering our 1+1=3 mentality to our clients. 

Here are our three tips for more sustainable PR.  

1. Limit and Be Aware of Paper Use 

One of the easiest ways to reduce our environmental impact is by minimizing paper usage. Did you know that 400 sheets of paper use 5% of a tree? Across signage, menus and place cards, this can easily be reached in a single event. Additionally, these single-use items are often discarded after the event, creating unnecessary waste. 

Instead, consider more sustainable options like seed paper for menus and place cards, limiting menus to one per table as opposed to one per seat, designing signage that can be reused for future events and creating custom take homes to act as place settings. 

1. Florals 

Flowers are a staple at many events; however, the global floral industry has a significant impact on carbon emissions, water usage and chemical pollution. Additionally, this costly décor is often disposed of after the event, creating unnecessary waste that often isn’t disposed of properly (i.e. composted).  

Instead, consider using dry flowers or plants to prolong the life of your décor. Whether you choose to gift these to your guests or keep them for future events, these options avoid one-time use items. Additionally, it’s important to investigate the practices of the florists you’re working with in terms of how they discard of/compost excess flowers, how their flowers are sourced, etc.  

1. Mailers 

Mailers are an essential part of PR as they’re a crucial way to get our clients’ products into the hands of consumers. However, from packaging to excess product, they can often be quite wasteful. While cardboard is biodegradable and recyclable, its production still contributes to deforestation, releases methane if left to biodegrade (i.e. not recycled) and requires significant energy and water to produce. Additionally, sending mailers frequently and with several products at once can have a significant impact on product waste and carbon emissions from transportation.  

Instead, consider using multi-use materials, such as fabric, or recycled materials, such as old newspapers, when creating and packaging mailers. Additionally, be mindful of how frequently you’re gifting, how many people you’re gifting, and how many products are being sent in a single mailer.  

By integrating these simple changes into our PR strategies, we can create campaigns and events that not only achieve results but also contribute to a healthier planet. As members of 1% For the Planet, we are committed to doing our part to give back to the planet and we encourage others in our industry to do the same. Let’s work together to make sustainability a standard in PR.