A promotion strategy will keep you on track with developing and distributing your communications about your new reusable system. Keep it simple - include details on communication channels, release dates, and resources needed. There is a Promotion Strategy Template (https://84587dc4-1d57-4a4a-b54c-822aa35c75b8.usrfiles.com/ugd/84587d_dc5bf60d63cc42b0bd584120af301e7e.docx)included in this guide that you may like to use.

In the lead up to your event, you can use promotional avenues - such as social media and ticketing platforms, to inform attendees about your reuse initiative. Be sure to emphasise the positive environmental and social impacts of their participation. Below are a few ideas on how to use specific promotional channels. Social media • Use social media, event pages, and ads to inform potential attendees about the event’s sustainability commitments. • Encourage the public to bring their own reusable items such as water bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags via an Instagram, TikTok or Facebook post. • Highlight incentives like discounts, competitions, or free vouchers for those who bring reusable items. • Share engaging content on the 'why' behind your waste reduction efforts (e.g., reducing marine pollution, avoiding litter, cutting down on waste etc.). Event website • Include a page on your sustainability initiatives, specifically your reusable foodware. • Explain why and how you are going plastic free. • Include any specific plastic free goals and/or targets for your event. Update your website with data that shows how you are tracking towards those goals. • Include a case study about your plastic free initiatives. Ticket holder communications • If attendees purchase tickets in advance, send reminder emails or SMS messages in the days leading up to the event. • Provide a checklist of what attendees should bring, such as reusables. • Explain any rules around what they can and cannot bring to ensure compliance with the event’s sustainability policies. Traditional media • Send out a media release to the local newspapers/radio a few days before the event. • Include a great image to give you the best chance of having your story picked up.

During the event, promotion should be used to achieve several things, including: • Communicating where reusable facilities are located. • Communicating how to use reusable systems, wash-up facilities and water refill stations. • Reminding people that your event is a sustainable one. Below are a few ideas on how to use specific promotional channels. Signage • Use signs and announcements to remind attendees to return their dishes. • Place visually effective signs around the venue to reinforce the plastic-free message. • Include clear instructions on how to use your reusable systems, wash-up facilities, water refill and waste stations. • Use engaging language and visuals to make your messaging accessible and noticeable. • Ensure that sustainability communications are accessible to all attendees, considering language diversity and disabilities. This might include multilingual signage or materials in braille. • Use signs and announcements to remind attendees to return their dishes. • Highlight the impact they’re making by taking part. Public announcements • Schedule regular public announcements throughout the event to remind attendees about sustainability efforts and how they can participate. • Include reminders about reusables, proper waste disposal, and reusable facility locations. Volunteers and staff as sustainability ambassadors • Train staff and volunteers to engage with attendees and explain sustainability practices. • Position them in high traffic areas as entrances, food vendors, and waste stations (as Waste Warriors to help your attendees use the correct bins). • Encourage positive interactions and provide guidance on answering any frequently asked questions you expect. Interactive engagement • Host activities or workshops that reinforce sustainability messages (e.g., public talks, sustainability workshops). • Use digital engagement tools like QR codes linking to sustainability tips. • Capture attendee engagement through social media by encouraging them to share their reusables using event hashtags. • Use mobile apps or webpages to provide interactive maps and highlight sustainability features like reusable foodware, wash-up facilities and water refill stations.

After your event is over, it’s time to celebrate your wins! A few ways to you can do this include: • Post videos of attendees using your reusable system on your social media. If you can do short interviews with them and include snippets of what they had to say - even better! • Compile any data you have around how much waste you saved by going reusable and create social media posts about it. • Be sure to update the sustainability page of your website with statistics around how much waste you’ve saved.