Embracing Green

Event planners are constantly on the lookout for venues that elevate their gatherings and align with the growing demand for sustainability. Have you ever wondered how venues in Windsor are meeting these green standards? This guide will take you through the essentials of selecting sustainable venues in and around the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, a region steeped in history and at the forefront of eco-friendly event planning. Discover how local benchmarks in sustainability could transform your next event.

Windsor's commitment to sustainability is evident in its array of venues prioritising green standards. But what exactly makes a venue sustainable? Criteria ranges from energy efficiency to waste management and community impact. By understanding these elements, you can make informed choices that contribute positively to the environment and offer your attendees a meaningful experience. Join us as we uncover the top sustainable venues in the area and provide practical tips to integrate these practices into your event planning.

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Understanding sustainability standards

The adoption of sustainability standards in event planning is a crucial shift towards responsible practices. The EIC Sustainable Event Standards play a pivotal role in this movement. These standards provide a framework that encompasses various aspects of sustainability, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and social responsibility. Each standard offers a guideline for venues and event organizers to minimize their environmental impact while enhancing community benefits.

The Green Meetings certification acts as a seal of approval for those within the industry, assuring that certified venues adhere to stringent environmental practices. This certification is particularly valuable for corporate buyers and planners who prioritize sustainability. It serves as a benchmark, ensuring that every aspect of an event, from energy use to material selection, aligns with eco-friendly principles. Understanding these certifications helps event planners make informed decisions, ensuring their events support environmental stewardship.

Exploring sustainable venues in the Windsor area

Windsor and the surrounding South East England are home to several venues that exemplify sustainability. These venues not only adhere to high environmental standards but also offer unique settings for memorable events. These venues are more than just places to host events; they are part of a larger movement towards environmental responsibility in the hospitality industry.

The Castle Hotel Windsor

Choose The Castle Hotel Windsor's enhanced green meeting package for your next meeting in Windsor and you will get:
•    A plastic-free meeting package – no pens or plastic water bottles. You're encouraged to bring your own refillable bottles.
•    Your choice of a vegan or vegetarian only delegate menu.
•    A map for a local walk for a mid-event stretch of the legs and the chance to see some local highlights.
•    For every delegate on a green meeting package The Castle Hotel Windsor will plant a tree through their partnership with More:Trees.
•    For every agent booking an event, the hotel will donate 1% of the event booking value (nett of VAT) to an ESG cause of their choice or an ESG cause of their client’s choice.

The Castle Hotel Windsor focuses on energy conservation, local sourcing, and supporting the local community, which enhances its appeal to those planning green events.

Fairmont Windsor Park

A sustainable oasis for conferences and events, Fairmont Windsor Park stands as a shining example of responsible event hosting deeply committed to environmental preservation. From recyclable keycards to glass bottles, carefully chosen eco-friendly cleaning products, even their paints are eco-friendly and free from volatile organic compounds. The spa boasts eco-friendly jute, coir, and coconut slippers to adorn your feet, crafted from resilient natural fibres. Sustainability extends to 40 acres of grounds, where beehives are nurtured and a kitchen garden provides chefs with fresh herbs and plants.

In the kitchen, food is locally sourced whenever possible, waste is sorted for recycling and cooking oil is reused. Energy-efficient smart heating and cooling systems, LED bulbs and motion sensors reduce electricity usage and there are electric car charging stations on site. As Fairmont Windsor Park target a BREEAM "very good" rating, they’re incorporating combined heat and power units, harnessing low/zero carbon technology, and embracing renewable energy sources in a move towards providing responsible gatherings that leave a positive impact on our planet. Fairmont Windsor Park extends its environmental management to include water conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable paper use, providing a holistic approach to sustainability.

Royal Holloway, University of London

Royal Holloway, University of London is dedicated to excellence in environmental sustainability. The University, which has incredible spaces available for meetings, seminars and events, has been recognized as a platinum top-tier university for its green initiatives and infrastructure, including green electricity and gas tariffs, renewable installations and electric vehicle charging points. Catering has a 3-star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association's Food Made Good Sustainability Rating. Campus waste is recycled, reused, or converted into energy, with a strict 0% to landfill policy. Efforts to reduce the carbon footprint have resulted in a 40% reduction of deliveries to campus by suppliers. The 135-acre site contains grassland, wildflower meadows, mature woodlands, beehives and ponds to support diverse flora and fauna. Recognizing the importance of green venues, the university has applied for the newly launched Green Meetings standard. Royal Holloway has retained its three-star rating in the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s prestigious Food Made Good Standard. Food Made Good is the most globally recognised industry standard for measuring sustainability across the hospitality sector. Retaining the standard with the highest possible rating of 3*, demonstrates a credible assessment of Royal Holloway’s commitment to sustainability. Areas that were assessed included:  
•    Sourcing local and seasonal food
•    Ethically sourcing meat and fish
•    Recycling and food waste
•    Feeding people well  
•    Staff welfare
•    Reducing carbon footprint

Sustainability is a core value for the venue, and it is committed to providing its customers with delicious and nutritious food that is produced with the environment and social responsibility in mind. This means customers can eat at the venue knowing that the produce is sourced ethically and locally and that any waste is either recycled or disposed of sustainably.

Richmond Hill Hotel

Nestled atop a hill in London's greenest borough, Richmond Hill Hotel is committed to a greener future. Since 2015, they have been on a mission to minimise their environmental footprint. This has included: achieving a carbon-neutral status from Carbon Neutral Britain; using only Renewable Energy to cover all of their electricity needs; and investing £9 million in technology across the hotel to reduce emissions. They clear waste responsibly with none heading to landfill; encourage green travel and invested in EV chargers for electric car-driving guests; and have worked with some fantastic partners to deliver training for their staff with a particular focus on diversity and inclusion in the last 12 months. Looking ahead, they are shooting for the stars and looking to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. Sustainability is more than just a buzzword for them, as London’s gateway to nature, they are truly committed to a greener future. For delegates looking to make a greener impact, why not take part in a river clean-up by paddleboard? This team activity is available to book at Richmond Hill Hotel.

Windsor events suppliers with green credentials

You can also look to event suppliers for green credentials as part of their service offering, with SFL Group leading the way.

SFL Group

Delivering sustainable events is a core value for leading AV production supplier SFL Group. While SFL has been on its sustainability journey for many years, in 2023 a number of new milestones were reached. The leading audio-visual production supplier is proud to operate as a responsible business, with latest credentials including B Corporation (B Corp), London Living Wage, and isla - the events industry sustainability body.

ISO14001 is underway, with certification expected by 2024. SFL recently joined the United Nations Global Compact initiative — a voluntary leadership platform for the development, implementation, and disclosure of responsible business practices.
These accreditations and certifications ensure the company meets high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability across its business operations.

At SFL’s Reading HQ, solar panels are in use on all buildings, ensuring all electricity used produces zero emissions to air. The Toilet Twinning initiative has been in place since 2018, helping to fund hygiene education projects and supply sustainable sanitation resources in the poorest nations. SFL also provides incentives for staff to use electric vehicles.

Evaluating venue sustainability: A practical guide for event planners

Choosing a sustainable venue involves more than just checking for certifications. Event planners need to assess potential venues based on several criteria to ensure they meet the necessary environmental standards. Key areas to consider include energy use, waste management, and the venue's impact on the local community. Planners should look for venues that use renewable energy sources, implement comprehensive recycling programs, and engage in community-oriented initiatives.

By understanding a venue’s sustainability policies, planners can ensure that the venue's actions align with their event's sustainability goals, providing peace of mind and a solid foundation for eco-friendly event planning.

Integrating sustainability into your event beyond the venue

Sustainability doesn't stop at the venue; it extends to every aspect of event planning. To truly embrace eco-friendly practices, planners should consider the following strategies:
•    Local Sourcing: Choose local suppliers for food, materials, and services to reduce carbon footprint and support the local economy.
•    Minimizing Carbon Footprint: Opt for digital invitations and materials, encourage carpooling, or arrange transportation with hybrid or electric vehicles.
Engaging attendees in sustainability efforts can also amplify the impact of your event.

This can be done by:
•    Providing information about the sustainability measures in place at the event.
•    Encouraging participation in local conservation efforts or community service.

By integrating these practices, event planners can create a comprehensive sustainability strategy that extends beyond the venue, enriching the attendee experience and supporting broader environmental goals.

Embracing sustainability at event venues in the Windsor area

Our commitment to sustainability is evident in its diverse range of venues that not only meet but often surpass green standards. By focusing on energy efficiency, waste management, and community impact, these venues provide more than a space for gatherings; they contribute to a sustainable future. Evaluating these venues on multiple criteria ensures that every event supports broader environmental goals, making each gathering a testament to sustainability.

Our beautiful Royal Borough offers a wealth of choice for creating sustainable events in Berkshire. We've got ease of travel (just 20 minutes from Heathrow), miles of riverside with great views and a plethora of venues to choose from. As you plan your next event, remember that each choice is a step toward a more sustainable world. Let a commitment to green standards inspire you to incorporate sustainability into your events, ensuring they leave a lasting, positive impact on both the environment and your attendees.