If you or your boss is planning to hold a work related event in the next few months, making them 'green' will not only make your company look hugely eco-conscious, you'll save a few dollars too while protecting our lovely planet. Worried about the stress involved to make it eco-friendly? Don't; they're just as easy to plan as traditional events, they just have an eco-twist. So where can you begin? Have a read...

The Electronic Invite - So much paper is sent through the mail these days, and a flurry of envelopes arrives every day in an office. Why add to more trees being cut down, to invite people? Send them out electronically, instead. Use email, or an invite service and you're being as green as possible. We really like the service ‘Evite’. If you really don't want to use email, look into paper from sustainable sources, bamboo invites such as our Letterpress on Bamboo Party Invitation, or recycled paper. Look into printing with vegetable inks, too. If it's a large event with open invitations, advertise on social media.

The Location and Catering - If the event isn't going to be held on site, do your research to find a place that practices 'green' already. If food is going to be catered by the same place, ensure that they source the food locally, use foods that are in season, and they recycle and compost any organic waste left over. For any additional suppliers who will be supporting your event, ensure that they'll be committed to being green too.

Transport - If the event is some distance away, try to reduce the carbon footprint of everyone going. You can do this by hiring an eco-friendly coach to take people there from a fixed location (i.e. your workplace), or by asking people to car share wherever possible. If you hire any transportation companies, ensure that they practice green too.

Gifts - If you're planning to give away gift bags or freebies at the work event, try to make every part of it eco-friendly. Use recycled paper bags, local fruit, and choose gifts that are environmentally friendly and that people will love. Check out our large range of gifts on the site, ideal for your business gift packs.

Be Proud & Remind - You've made the effort to make your event eco-friendly, so why not shout off the rooftops about it? Tell people in any speeches or material during the event, about how proud you are to be a 'green' company. Remind your attendees about the importance of being green as a company; you might even persuade others to do the same.

Recycling Bins - Events generate a lot of waste. Even if most of the materials are recycled, others will still be tempted to just put any rubbish they generate in a normal bin. To prevent this, have clearly marked bins for paper, plastic, aluminium and compost containers too.

Next time you hold an event, consider the impact on the earth if you don't pay attention to the tips above. Make a change in your company, and go 'Green'.