PR in the Philippines

Urbandale, Iowa Mar 4, 2025 – Mindy Knapp, a community marketing and event planning consultant based in Urbandale, Iowa, is urging a move towards sustainable event planning within the state. Drawing on her extensive experience of more than ten years in organizing community gatherings, Knapp seeks to highlight the environmental consequences of conventional event planning. She is also encouraging businesses, non-profits, and local governing bodies to embrace more environmentally friendly methods.

“Events offer a fantastic opportunity to unite people, but we must acknowledge the waste they create,” Knapp states. “From disposable plastics to unnecessary paper consumption, we have the ability to implement straightforward yet significant changes that lessen our ecological impact without diminishing the overall experience.”

The Environmental Impact of Events

According to an EPA report, large public events produce approximately 2.5 pounds of waste per attendee each day. A festival hosting 1,000 individuals can generate more than a ton of waste, a substantial portion of which is sent to landfills.

“If we delay prioritizing sustainability, our community events risk causing enduring harm to our environment,” Knapp cautions. “We need to consider the legacy we are leaving behind.”

Knapp’s Advocacy for Environmentally Sound Events

Knapp is advocating for several crucial adjustments to enhance the sustainability of community events:

• Shifting to digital promotional strategies in place of printed flyers and materials.
• Opting for compostable or reusable serving ware instead of disposable plastics.
• Forming partnerships with local suppliers who emphasize sustainability in their offerings.
• Motivating participants to use refillable water bottles by providing accessible refill stations.
• Lowering energy usage through the adoption of solar-powered lighting and sound systems.

Knapp has already started incorporating these modifications into Urbandale’s Annual Festival, an event she has been instrumental in organizing for over a decade.

“In 2023, we achieved a 30% decrease in event waste by banning single-use plastic water bottles and implementing a centralized recycling system,” Knapp noted. “The community’s reaction was overwhelmingly supportive.”

Engaging Businesses and Organizations

Knapp is appealing to event organizers, businesses, and local authorities to prioritize sustainable practices. She intends to conduct instructional workshops to offer practical advice on minimizing waste at events.

“It’s not about attaining absolute perfection immediately,” she clarifies. “It’s about making incremental, meaningful improvements that collectively yield substantial results.”