From the beach: event industry tips to tackle ocean pollution

Fresh from a Thames beach clean, 15Hatfields looks at how venues and event planners can take action on water pollution.

When it comes to climate solutions, the role of the ocean is pivotal. Pollution, as a key driver of biodiversity loss, is not only a threat to aquatic life but to the ocean’s essential role in the carbon cycle.

At a beach clean on 25 July, team 15H found glass bottles and caps, biscuit wrappers, and single-use cutlery on the banks of the Thames. The beach clean was organised by Better Bankside and their recycling partner Recorra. The initiative united volunteers from neighbouring businesses in London’s Southbank for an hour of litter picking.

Armed with our litter pickers, 15Hatfields’ Deputy General Manager, Joe Harris, Venue Supervisors, Liam Tadman and Mark Perrett, Marketing Executive, Hannah Ganecki, and Custard Account Manager, Mike Smith, headed to the beach at Gabriel's Wharf. We collected 51kg of litter – the weight of a giant pacific octopus!

We know sustainability means the world to more than just our venue, in fact the health of vital ecosystems depends on it. The good news is there are opportunities at every stage of the events cycle to promote sustainable consumption.

Here’s how venues and event planners can tackle water pollution together:

Wave goodbye to single-use plastic

We’re seeing more and more plastic-free consumables on the market. Invest a little extra time in research and the environmental savings add up quickly, especially when hosting large conferences, training and product launch events. Have a flick through our success stories, you may just find the plastic-free alternative you’re looking for.

Promote circular design

Furnishing an event space opens the door to the wonderful world of upcycling and repurposing. Check out the innovators at Smile Plastics, you wouldn’t believe our reception desk came from reclaimed medical equipment and recycled plastic packaging!

Know your waste streams

Getting to grips with waste streams and the specific capabilities of your local recycling outlet can be daunting. But zero waste to landfill is possible! For behind-the-scenes advice on how to achieve this, read about our visit to Lea Riverside recycling facility.

When it comes to hard-to-recycle items such as milk bottle caps, we've found TerraCycle to be invaluable. To incentivise the recycling of glass beverage containers, 15Hatfields is calling for legislators to enact bold, long-term policies including all-encompassing deposit return schemes.

Cut the chemicals

Chemicals and microplastics found in many cleaning products are harmful to aquatic life in a number of ways. Whether that’s disrupting the reproduction and growth of aquatic organisms, or promoting excessive growth of algae that blocks sunlight and depletes oxygen levels.

Finding a cleaning company that safeguards health and hygiene without harming our waterways is key. We’re making the switch to Crystalcare Cleaning Services who are ISO 14001 certified for their chemical-free cleaning solutions.

Collaborate

While climate change knows no borders, we can make a significant impact through local action. What’s happening in your community? Are there nearby businesses that share your ethos?

Partnerships are an integral part of climate action here in the Southbank, whether that’s participating in a Better Bankside beach clean or joining forces with local businesses to eradicate plastic bottle waste.

If you'd like to collaborate with 15Hatfields on hosting your next event sustainably, get in touch with our team! We'd love to hear about your events and give you a tour of our award-winning conference and meeting rooms.