Minneapolis' commitment to sustainability is evident in its infrastructure, community engagement, and ambitious citywide zero-waste goals, making it an ideal destination for eco-conscious events. The urgency for sustainability is clear, as even small gatherings can generate significant waste. As Ashleyn Przedwiecki, Creative Director & Founder at LUUM Collective, puts it, "Sustainability goes beyond just the environmental impact we all think of but also encourages social responsibility and inclusivity.”

Remember, sustainable events aren't just good for people and the planet—they’re also just good business. As Przedwiecki shares, “We have continually heard from our clients that sustainability is important to them when planning their event or wedding. Many people are building sustainable practices into their own lives and want to see and support events and companies that are doing the same.”

To get started, consider these tips for planning a sustainable event in Minneapolis:

• Partner with experts and explore free resources: Consult organizations like LUUM Collective for guidance and leverage the city's free zero-waste resources.

• Choose a green venue: Prioritize venues with LEED certification or other demonstrable sustainability practices. Several venues in Minneapolis are setting the standard for sustainability through practices like using renewable energy, offering compostable service ware, and partnering with eco-conscious vendors. (Dive deeper below!)

• Opt for sustainable catering: Select caterers who prioritize local sourcing, seasonal menus, and waste reduction. These companies prioritize local sourcing, seasonal menus, and waste reduction, making it easy for event planners to offer delicious and eco-friendly food options. For example, Equal Parts Cocktail Company even champions sustainable sourcing in their custom craft cocktail offerings!

• Reduce waste: Implement recycling and composting programs, minimize single-use items, and consider donating leftover food. Minneapolis has robust waste management and recycling programs in place, with specific ordinances and guidelines for large events. The city also offers rental containers for recycling, organics recycling, and trash, making it easy for planners to implement effective waste reduction strategies.

• Encourage sustainable transportation: Sustainable transportation is a key component of green events. Minneapolis's excellent public transportation system, along with options like carpooling and bike rentals, makes it easy for attendees to reduce their carbon footprint. Consider offering shuttle services from eco-friendly hotels to further reduce the event's carbon footprint. Metro Transit will sometimes offer free transportation passes to and from large-scale events to encourage ridership!

• Engage the community: Partner with local organizations to enhance the social and environmental impact of your event.

When planning a sustainable event in Minneapolis, the first step is to choose a venue that aligns with your green values. Luckily, the city boasts several venues that prioritize eco-friendly practices, going above and beyond to educate themselves and their staff and putting sustainability systems into place throughout their operations.

The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) has implemented a robust sustainability program that encompasses energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management. It utilizes nearly 100% compostable food containers and utensils, provides water bottle filling stations, offers digital displays reducing signage waste, and boasts a comprehensive recycling program. The MCC harnesses green energy through thousands of rooftop solar panels and collects rainwater in a stormwater catch system for site irrigation. This dedication to sustainability earned them LEED v4 Certification for Existing Building Operations and Maintenance by the U.S. Green Building Council, and the MCC’s Urban Meadow Plaza was awarded Silver certification under the Sustainable SITES Initiative rating system for achievement in landscape sustainability. The Plaza—Downtown Minneapolis’s largest pollinator refuge irrigated with captured rainwater—was the nation’s first SITES-certified project to be located at a convention center and the first ever SITES certified project in the Upper Midwest. The MCC also extends sustainability into community partnerships with businesses like Alveole Bees, who manage the Plaza's hives, and ensures food waste is responsibly handled through donations to People Serving People and Second Harvest Farm via Kelber Catering.

As one of the first hotels in Minnesota to receive LEED certification, the Radisson Blu Mall of America has integrated numerous eco-friendly initiatives. Ninety percent of its lighting is energy-efficient LEDs, which emit less heat and help lower cooling costs. The hotel's commitment to sustainability extends to waste management, where food waste is sent to a local pig farm, and future plans include composting. The property also implements practices such as a carbon offset program, widespread recycling, water-saving low-flow faucets and toilets, and the use of more sustainable linens made from a fabric that consumes 100 times less water than conventional cotton. The hotel is also at the forefront of biodiversity efforts, partnering with the University of Minnesota Bee Squad in a research program that introduces beehives on-site!

The Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis is committed to eliminating single-use plastics and using biodegradable and compostable packaging for takeout containers. Their sustainability efforts also include reducing energy and water consumption and sourcing locally for organic wine vendors.

For park events, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board emphasizes environmental conservation, economic stability, and social equity through its Sustainable Parks initiative, ensuring green practices are integral to event planning across the city's parks​. They offer free zero-waste resources to anyone who plans public events.

Minneapolis-area’s Three Rivers Park system has multiple venue options all dedicated to hosting zero-waste events. As a part of the Zero Waste Initiative, guests are required to use sustainable vendors and reduce waste across the event. Requirements include utilizing reusable dinnerware, cutlery, glassware, linens and linen napkins or compostable paper products.

Minneapolis is also home to smaller venues that may not have access to third-party audits like LEED-certifications due to size and cost. Ashleyn Przedwiecki’s LUUM Collective works with venues to educate on sustainable practices and options and support them to build systems that can align with their commitment to sustainability. Her favorites include Glass House and The Luminaire in Minneapolis.

Glass House showcases an inspiring reuse of an old manufacturing site that has been modernized with a rooftop solar power system and LED lighting throughout. The founders are passionate about environmental and social impact, making thoughtful decisions about the operations of their business from reducing packaging waste and sourcing sustainable packaging materials, to implementing organics collection in the building, and purchasing local products and nontoxic cleaners.

The Luminaire is also committed to sustainability by implementing zero-waste practices across its operations. This includes offering compostable cups, upgrading to reusable glassware, and eliminating single-use plastics like straws and cups, as well as non-compostable or non-recyclable garnishes. They utilize digital signage and incorporate complimentary plants, florals, and decor such as arches, frames, and vases for events. Additionally, they partner with vendors who share their sustainability values, encouraging the use of florists who avoid floral foam, reuse or rent vases, and choose locally-grown. Their in-house catering option prioritizes food all made in house sourced from partners based on their level of commitment to environmentally responsible practices.

When it comes to sustainable events, the culinary experience plays a vital role—and when done right, it’s often the thing attendees will remember best! Minneapolis boasts a vibrant food scene with a plethora of catering companies that prioritize local sourcing, seasonal menus, and eco-conscious practices.

“Chowgirls Catering is the top of the line when it comes to catering in Minneapolis,” according to Przedwiecki. Chowgirls is a women-owned, award-winning Minneapolis sustainable catering company that sources local, organic, and seasonal ingredients from over 50 local farms and other purveyors, traveling an average of 37.5 miles from farm to kitchen.

Gastrotruck has three food trucks and offers a variety of traditional and non-traditional catering options for all appetites. All food is prepared in-house from scratch, and the company prioritizes zero-waste practices—including reusable dishware and compostable options whenever possible.

Root to Rise Kitchen is a 100% plant-based company with a mission to bring “all diners to the table” through food in a meaningful and sustainable way. Root to Rise is a low-waste caterer, serving food with reusable or compostable serviceware and composting food and kitchen scraps. Their entirely plant-based and made from scratch menu reduces carbon footprint from farm to table and sources from local producers and co-ops to get the best local and organic ingredients.

Popular Minneapolis restaurant Brasa Rotisserie offers full-service catering inspired by the traditional ingredients and flavors of the southern U.S., Caribbean, and Mexico. Their culinary philosophy centers around fresh, regionally sourced ingredients, including 100% natural meats, organic eggs and beans, and fair-trade coffee and teas. Their menu is predominantly gluten-free, with a diverse selection of hearty vegetarian and vegan dishes to accommodate a range of dietary preferences. Their drop-off catering offers compostables and aluminum recyclable options, and their full-service catering arm Brasa Catering offers staffing, plate and silverware rental, dining room setup, and all dining room and table maintenance from start to finish.

Minneapolis is one of the leading U.S. cities when it comes to organics recycling and is committed to helping all businesses get on board. Planners should be aware that any event that needs a permit from the City is required to have one-to-one garbage and recycling and to submit a recycling plan. This includes all block events and all parades and races. One-to-one means that for every garbage container, there's also a recycling container. (Pro tip: the containers should be next to each other, which is a detail that many planners miss. Having trash, recycling, and compost bins next to one another is critical to ensuring that things are properly recycled and sorted.)

The City of Minneapolis has recycling, organics recycling, and trash containers that can be rented for events in Minneapolis. The rental fee includes delivery of carts and pick up and proper disposal of materials collected. Hennepin County offers tips and a green events checklist (for larger events) or green parties checklist (for smaller events).

Even the most mindful events can end with surplus food that would otherwise go to waste. The best way to ensure donations for prepared food is to connect with Second Harvest Heartland before your event and work with your caterer to be prepared for a food rescue (even if it might not be needed). Another option is using the MealConnect app to match surplus food to neighbors in need. In 2023, Second Harvest’s Minnesota meal service partners donated 284,000 pounds of prepared foods through this app!

Minneapolis offers a unique and supportive environment for hosting sustainable events for the green event planner. With the city’s modern infrastructure, vibrant community engagement, and ongoing commitment to eco-conscious practices, Minneapolis provides a wealth of opportunities for event planners to create impactful and memorable gatherings that benefit both people and the planet.