For Your Next Event - Sustainability and green events are here to stay! It means that we are making changes to avoid the depletion of natural resources, and it was only a matter of time before these efforts spilt into the events and conference industry. Fusion Travel is very proud to be onboard this continuing trend – by creating sustainable activities, we can truly make an impact and reduce our footprint.
All the key role players of an event or conference must be on board to make a green event successful – venues, suppliers, organisers and especially the clients.
Looking after the bottom line and being sustainable doesn’t have to be expensive –start by going paperless. Every event is unique. Although not all the suggestions may be relevant or viable, every bit helps to make the event greener.
Consider a few of these ideas when planning your next special event –
- Replace regular bins with disposable bins for recycling – paper, plastic, cans. Ensure that recycling bins are visible and clearly marked to encourage proper recycling efforts by attendees or delegates.
- Consider giving sustainable promotional gifts – ensure that a clear message about being sustainable is communicated on all of the promotional material.
- Instead of handing out gifts (which often contain plastic or other non-biodegradable materials), donate to a charity.
- Send a media release and distribute advertising material about the event’s sustainability aim.
- Instead of offering plastic pens, choose sustainably sourced wooden pencils.
- Avoid plastic drink stirrers. Provide wooden stirrers instead.
- Use potted plants for centrepieces.
- For goodie bags, use fabric or natural tote bags as they can be reused, recycled or washed.
- Consider the necessity of printing signs, programs and menus — print on recycled paper.
- Instead of using name badges in plastic pockets, use good quality cardboard name tags.
- Encourage attendees to bring their own reusable water bottles. Add notice when sending out the e-invites & event reminders. Have water refill stations at the event where delegates can refill their bottles.
- Sell branded stainless steel bottles to any attendees who might have forgotten to bring their own.
- Encourage delegates to car-share to the event.
- If lanyards are necessary, choose lanyards made of natural fibres with metal clips.
- Serve vegetarian and vegan options to reduce the amount of meat served.
An essential part of hosting successful sustainable events will include involving your venue. It is vital to choose a site that has their own environmental policies and that practices good food & beverage management eg. order fish only from sustainably managed sources or order seasonal and locally produced foods. Choose a venue that uses LED lights because they are more energy-efficient and reduce carbon footprint. A good idea is to consider a venue with lots of natural light and outdoor space.
Other ideas to consider is to use whiteboards instead of paper flipcharts, reusable signs without dates and to book accommodation within walking distance of your conference venue.
Ask attendees for feedback on your efforts at greening the event – they might have good ideas or suggestions of their own, and their feedback might be very valuable.
Your event is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness and to lead by example.
Hosting a sustainable event is all about a mindset – the event and conference industry is one of the biggest in terms of environmental impact and as such, has a responsibility to move towards greening. Let’s be mindful of our actions – this is what makes us true professionals.
Our Journey to Sustainability: Fusion Travel's 2025 CO2 Emission Report
At Fusion Travel, we are committed to sustainability and reducing our environmental impact. As part of our ongoing efforts to operate responsibly and transparently, we are pleased to present our CO2 Emission Report for the year.
This report provides a comprehensive overview of our carbon footprint, detailing emissions from travel, electricity consumption, and other operational activities. We have taken significant steps to minimize our emissions, including prioritizing virtual meetings, using energy-efficient lighting, and implementing waste recycling programs.
Travel Emissions:
- Weekly carbon emissions from travel: 0.176 tons
- Annual travel emissions: 9.152 tons
Virtual Meetings: Fusion Travel prioritizes arranging online meetings with clients and suppliers to minimize travel-related emissions. When travel is necessary, we prioritize using the Gautrain over car travel to further reduce our carbon footprint.
Electricity Consumption:
- Daily consumption: 12.446 kWh
- Annual consumption: 4542.79 kWh
- Annual emissions: 1.058 tons
Paperless Office: By not using paper or ink, Fusion Travel significantly reduces waste and the environmental impact associated with paper production and disposal.
Laptop Recycling: Fusion Travel buys new laptops every six years and recycles the old ones, ensuring electronic waste is properly managed and reducing the environmental footprint of our technology use.
Waste Recycling: We recycle waste (used coffee beans, carton boxes) into a compost heap in our office park, turning organic waste into valuable compost that can be used to enrich the soil. We also recycle glass, plastic, and tins using bins provided at our office park.
Total Annual Emissions:
- Travel: 9.152 tons/year (89.6%)
- Electricity Consumption: 1.058 tons/year (10.4%)
- Total: 10.210 tons/year
Active Plan to Reduce Total Annual Emissions: Starting March 1, 2025, we will reduce office days from 5 to 3 days per week, which will significantly lower our travel and electricity emissions.
Reduced Emissions:
- Travel Emissions:
- Current: 9.152 tons/year
- Reduced: 5.491 tons/year (60%)
- Electricity Consumption:
- Current: 1.058 tons/year
- Reduced: 0.683 tons/year (65%)
Total Reduced Emissions:
- Current Total: 10.210 tons/year
- Reduced Total: 6.174 tons/year (60%)
By implementing this change, Fusion Travel can reduce its annual carbon emissions by approximately 40%. This is a substantial reduction and a great step towards a more sustainable future!
Thank you so much, I do appreciate your excellent service from everyone there
– Phillip Phasha
Thanks so much for the professional service as always
– Stephen van Staden
Dankie vir al jou moeite met ons vakansiereëlings. Dit was ‘n heerlike wegbreek
– Liezl Botma
Your excellent service provided in such a kind manner should be celebrated by your company and something that I will remember and be thankful for a very long time
– Judith Bester
I must compliment you for being on the ball!
– Gunthar Jacobs
Die toer was wonderlik dankie! Ons is so dankbaar vir al julle professionele reëlings – alles het regtig seepglad verloop
– Annerie Van Wyk
Ek wil net vir jou sê dat jy puik werk gedoen het met die reëling van alles met ons Rusland trip. Ons kon nie vir beter diens gevra het nie. Alles wat net reg
– Mornette Bothma
I just wanted to compliment you on your excellent handling of all our travel arrangements
– Sonya Semmelink
Thank you and your professional team for the remarkable service and support rendered to our us. I must highlight your team’s patience, friendliness and quick actions and feedback, regardless of our requests, “demands”, calls, etc. – not to mention the short notice of some of them. Please know that it is really appreciated
– Riana Niemand
Thank you for all your help and assistance ma'am - Like ALWAYS, it's such a pleasure dealing with you!!
– Rickus Viljoen
Ek kan jou nie genoeg bedank vir jou moeite en vriendelikheid en hoe effektief jy was nie - Elize
Thank you Gillian. Such a pleasure having a professional travel agency like Fusion Travel doing our travel! - Annatjie van Zyl
