At Event Cycle, sustainability is the foundation of everything we do. As we reflect on 2024, we’re proud to share the tangible difference we’ve made through our work, not only in reducing event and production waste but in creating a lasting social legacy.
From the beginning, our mission has been clear: transform post-event waste into valuable resources by connecting event businesses with charities, community groups, schools, and social enterprises. In 2024, this mission took on new heights, with over 207 charities, community groups, schools, and social enterprises receiving repurposed items, benefiting communities both in the UK and internationally.
Our impact in numbers:
£485,311 in social value created through material donations
114.06 tonnes CO2e saved by ensuring charities didn’t have to purchase new items
16.03 tonnes CO2e diverted from landfill
Donations reaching new international regions in Spain, France, and Germany
Circular Solutions in Action
Sustainability is about making informed choices at every stage of an event’s lifecycle or Event Cycle if you will 😀. By embedding circularity into event planning, we helped our clients make smarter, greener decisions. Whether it was repurposing inflatables from a major alcohol brand or ensuring that stage materials from a conference found a second life in schools, we actively diverted waste from landfill and into the hands of those who need it most.
Case in point: At Cannes Lions 2024, we worked with Momentum Worldwide to redistribute surplus furniture and household goods to local charities, ensuring that festival resources continued to serve communities long after the event ended. Similarly, at the Paris 2024 Olympics, we repurposed nearly 1,000 items, preventing almost 1,000 kgCO2e emissions being created and directly benefiting digital education and community gardening projects in France.
Lowering Our Own Footprint
We believe in leading by example. This year, we:
Maintained zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by relying entirely on renewable energy through Ecotricity
Measured all our Scope 3 emissions where possible, and and offset our large scale Scope 3 emissions, investing in seaweed carbon removal research and mangrove restoration projects with Earthly
Reduced 610.79 kgCO2e just by changing how we send emails, replacing bulky attachments with links
Saved 929 kgCO2e by swapping flights with international rail, and using electric vehicles instead of diesel trucks.
Beyond Carbon: Creating a Social Legacy
True sustainability is about more than just reducing emissions—it’s about making a lasting difference in the communities around us. From donating a football goal to a school to ensuring that ball girls at the LTA cinch Championships had reusable water bottle holders made from repurposed materials, we prioritized initiatives that combined environmental and social impact. We also deepened our support for diverse communities outside of our business services, volunteering with organisations like Choir with No Name and Bassuah Legacy.
Looking Ahead
As we move forward, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainability in the events industry. The challenges of climate change demand immediate action, and we’re here to ensure that every event can be an opportunity for positive change. By working together—event organisers, suppliers, charities, and communities—we can redefine what it means to create truly sustainable events.
Thank you to our clients, partners, and supporters who have helped us make 2024 such a landmark year. Let’s continue to turn “waste” into impact, one event at a time.
Chantal Kerr-Sheppard & Carina Jandt
Event Cycle Co-Founders
You can read the full report here:
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