Our Commitment to a Greener Future

At STRONG PR, Marketing and Events, we are acutely aware of our environmental footprint and remain committed to reducing waste wherever possible. As a proud member of the Event Greening Forum (EGF), a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable event management, we align our operations with the triple bottom line of people, planet, and prosperity. This ensures that our work is guided not only by environmental considerations but also by social and economic responsibility.

By maintaining active membership with the EGF, we demonstrate accountability and transparency to our clients, partners, and community. Clients who engage our services can be confident that our venues, products, and event solutions are assessed through a sustainability lens. We are committed to embedding environmentally responsible practices both in our client-facing projects and within our internal operations.

Sustainable Practices in Action

Our commitment extends beyond membership badges and policies. We believe that sustainability must be woven into everyday decisions and creative solutions.

·        Innovative Partnerships: We actively collaborate with organisations such as Bags4Bread (https://www.bags4bread.org/), which repurposes plastic bread wrappers into crocheted lanyards and other unique products. This initiative not only combats plastic pollution but also provides income opportunities for families in need. Through such partnerships, we support local enterprise while reducing environmental impact.

·        Event-Specific Initiatives – Safety Summit 2025: Earlier this year, we proudly delivered a Safety Summit that achieved Green Certification: Silver-Class Certified Green Event (79.2%). The event was designed with a striking central stage and screen concept, using LED technology and low-energy AV systems to minimise power consumption.

All exhibition stands were built from modular Xanita Board booths, which were later donated to schools to serve as library shelves. Locally produced lanyards made from recycled bread bags were used, while delegates received only practical branded items; torches, beanies, scarves, water bottles, and fabric bags, ensuring long-term usability and avoiding post-event waste. The table centrepieces, creatively designed with fruit and vegetables, were distributed after the event to local communities in Limpopo via The Truth Foundation, which supports orphans. This ensured zero wastage while providing tangible community upliftment.

·        Responsible Procurement: We encourage and prioritise working with suppliers who embrace greener practices, avoiding unnecessary or single-use manufacturing where alternatives exist. This ethos ensures that recycling and reuse are at the forefront of every project.

Case Study: Measurable Outcomes

We believe it is essential to measure and report on sustainability outcomes to ensure continuous improvement. For the Safety Summit, key outcomes were recorded as follows:

·        78% of all waste diverted from landfill

·        234,000 litres of water used (96,000L borehole, 138,000L municipal)

·        1,800 kWh of energy consumed

·        Carbon impact: 35.3 tonnes CO₂

·        Delegate transport methods: 47.4% by coach; 50.3% via private/company vehicles; 2.0% carpooling; 0.3% flights

Responsible practices implemented included:

·        Recycled lanyards supplied by a local collective

·        Reusable branded delegate gifts only

·        Booths repurposed as school shelving

·        Voucher systems supporting local Leeupan businesses

·        27 local service staff trained and employed for the event

Lessons and Learnings

Each event provides critical insights, and we believe that every event should be captured as a case study to ensure best practice is refined over time. From the Safety Summit, the following lessons were highlighted:

·        Greater emphasis is required on securing sustainable transport solutions to reduce private vehicle usage.

·        Venues must be encouraged to provide accurate environmental usage data to better measure performance.

·        Sustainability visibility should be elevated through event signage, digital boards, and presenter highlights to reinforce awareness among delegates.

Greening Our Workplace

Sustainability is equally important within our own office in Rosebank. We have introduced separation bins for recycling, adopted digital systems to minimise reliance on paper, and are steadily progressing towards a fully paperless workspace. Across our events/ projects, we consistently introduce creative eco-friendly elements, such as:

·        Seed-infused stationery and business cards, which can be planted to grow herbs and flowers once their primary purpose has been fulfilled.

·        Reusable or biodegradable goodie bag items, selected to extend value beyond the event itself and reduce environmental waste.

Looking Ahead

We recognise that our journey towards complete sustainability is ongoing. While we do not claim perfection, we are unwavering in our commitment to improvement. Each year, we strive to expand our greening initiatives, refine our internal processes, and introduce smarter, safer practices that minimise environmental harm and uplift communities where possible. At STRONG PR, Marketing and Events, sustainability is not simply a trend, it is an ethical obligation. By holding ourselves accountable today, we aim to secure a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for our clients, our communities, and generations to come.

As the Operations Manager, I personally take responsibility to ensure that best practice is consistently adhered to across all our projects and operations. It is my duty to guarantee that sustainability is not just an organisational commitment but also a personal pledge, ensuring that STRONG PR, Marketing and Events remains accountable to the highest standards of ethical and environmental responsibility.