In July 2024, a large-scale conference was hosted at Kap Europa in Frankfurt am Main, with sustainability at its core. To ensure that materials purchased and built for the event didn't go to waste, the event organisers collaborated with Event Cycle to strategically distribute these items to local charities, community groups, and social enterprises, reducing landfill impact and creating a lasting social legacy in the area surrounding the event.
By partnering with Event Cycle, the event team made sure that the items that had served their purpose at the conference continued to benefit the local community. This collaboration not only reduced the environmental footprint but also boosted social impact by promoting the responsible use of resources.
Execution
Event Cycle started the project by conducting initial research to identify charities and organisations in the Frankfurt area that could use the items planned into the event. This approach ensured that the materials—including carpets, long tables, and curtains—could find meaningful second homes, providing support where it was needed most. Once there were suitable organisations identified in the area, the event confirmed the go- ahead and Event Cycle started allocating the leftover items ready to donate when the event was over.
Distribution Impact
53.66% of the donations were distributed within Frankfurt, while 46.34% went to nearby Ginseldorf. The total social impact generated from the material donations was valued at £18,413.78—equivalent to the cost charities would have spent on purchasing these items, allowing them to invest their resources in further supporting their communities.
Key Beneficiaries
Kulturwerkstatt Germaniastraße Waggong e.V.This cultural centre, focused on musical education, received acoustic curtains and carpets, which they used to enhance their drum room and recording studio, providing a better experience for students and musicians alike.
Die Fleckenbuehler (Addiction Aid)A community offering support to individuals recovering from addiction, Fleckenbuehler utilised the donated conference tables at their facilities in Frankfurt and Central Hesse, benefiting both youth welfare programs and an organic farm.
Die Fleckenbuehler Children's House in GinseldorfThe donated tables and carpets were used to enhance the facilities at a daycare centre that supports children, providing a more comfortable and engaging environment for learning and play.
Evangelischer Verein für Jugendsozialarbeit - Teenie-Café Edwards GardenA youth café, the Teenie-Café used the donated carpets to transform their space into a more vibrant and welcoming area for teenagers in Frankfurt.
Environmental Impact
While fossil fuel powered vehicles were necessary for transporting the materials due to the size and volume of the items, Event Cycle took proactive steps to minimise the overall environmental impact. The project emphasised sustainability at every stage, from carefully planning the most efficient transportation routes to consolidating loads in order to reduce the number of trips required. This approach helped lower fuel consumption and emissions from the outset.
In order to further minimise the environmental impact of the emissions produced, Event Cycle offset the 96.6 miles travelled which resulted in 0.0479 tonnes of CO2e. See how we do this here.
Beyond transportation, the project's overall environmental impact was significantly reduced by repurposing materials that would have otherwise ended up in landfill. By redistributing carpets, curtains, and tables to local charities and community groups, Event Cycle diverted waste and extended the life cycle of these resources, conserving valuable materials and reducing the demand for new production.
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