Why Small Decisions Have a Big Impact

Can a city festival reduce its emissions without dampening the mood? Yes. Often, a simple bike rack has a greater impact on the carbon footprint than a spectacular lighting system—because it changes the behavior of many. And another aha moment: A well-placed sign above the reusable return station prevents mountains of waste because it points the intuitive path.

Mobility as the Biggest Lever

Arrival and departure are usually the biggest emission factor at events—often greater than energy for stage, sound, and lighting. Those organizing climate-consciously in Hof start here: making public transport, cycling, and ride-sharing so convenient that they become the obvious choice.

Effective measures are: early communication of bus connections, secure bike parking spaces directly at the entrance, simple paths from the train station, collective parking lots with short shuttle times, and combined tickets (entry + public transport) where possible. The stronger the offer, the greater the impact.

• Advertise public transport info early and prominently; make schedules easily visible online and on site
• Provide secure, well-lit bike parking near the entrance (including cargo bike options)
• Check combined tickets and shuttle solutions; plan collective parking outside
• Mark paths from the train station; set up central, accessible info points

Practical tip: A clear "From the train station to the entrance" map on the website, ticket, and info board reduces inquiries and noticeably increases the public transport share.

Zero Waste with Reusables and Separation

Zero waste begins before the festival and ends with the clean handover of the site. Leave out unnecessary giveaways, avoid single-use, use reusable tableware with deposit, make return systems easily visible and accessible, and separate consistently. Cups and plates thus become resources in the cycle.

The "sign solution" from the introduction has an immediate effect: A well-placed, unmistakable sign above the reusable return station guides guests intuitively. Friendly reminders by the team increase return and separation rates. Forward-looking quantity planning reduces food leftovers; remaining food can—if logistically and legally possible—be given away in reusable boxes or donated to social initiatives.

• Reusable with deposit, sufficient return stations; keep walking distances short
• Label separation stations uniformly in color and multiple languages
• Calculate demand realistically; offer leftovers to take away
• Waive single-use giveaways; use digital alternatives

Sign suggestion (short & clear): "Returning reusables? Get your deposit back here! Please return cups & plates empty."

Sustainable Catering from the Region

Regional, seasonal, plant-based: This lowers environmental impact and highlights the region's flavors. In Hof and the surrounding area, agriculture offers a wide selection depending on the season. A clearly visible vegetarian and vegan option reduces climate impact and is well received if implemented creatively.

• Prefer regional, seasonal ingredients; short delivery chains
• Clear vegan/vegetarian options; transparently label allergens
• Reusables for transport and serving; drinking water stations instead of disposable bottles
• Brief team on separation, allergens, and guidelines—a single interaction matters

Energy, Technology, and Materials

Energy efficiency starts with planning: Where is zoned lighting with LED sufficient? Can the running time of cooling/heating be shortened? Can shade and natural ventilation be used? The sum of many small decisions significantly reduces consumption.

• LED and needs-based control; avoid idling
• Use green electricity where available; try renewable add-ons (e.g., mobile PV)
• Operate devices efficiently; keep cold chains short, seal technical rooms
• Digital before analog: digital tickets/documents; print only when necessary on recycled paper
• Reusable signage, modular rental equipment

Sanitary facilities also offer potential: water-saving fixtures, easily visible refill points, and clear signposts shorten walking distances and avoid bottlenecks.

Social, Accessible, Clearly Communicated

Green events are more than CO₂ and kilowatt-hours. Accessibility, safety, fair work, and understandable information are standard: accessible entrances, plain language as well as acoustic/visual notifications, quiet zones, and family-friendly offers.

Transparency works: Those who openly explain what is being done sustainably encourage participation. This includes information on public transport/bicycles, reusable returns, separation stations, drinking water, accessibility, and a guiding principle in a few sentences.

• Plan accessible paths, seating areas, and restrooms
• Multilingual, easy-to-read signage; use pictograms
• Clear information on public transport, bicycles, return stations, water, and emergency exits
• Fair conditions for staff; available contact points on site

Make It Measurable: Goals and KPIs

• Modal split of arrival (public transport/bike/foot/car)
• Reusable return rate (%) and loss rate
• Waste per guest (kg/guest) including recycling rate
• Energy consumption per event hour (kWh/h) or per guest
• Share of regional/organic-certified products (%)
• Accessibility and satisfaction scores from guest feedback

Practical tip: Define KPIs in advance, anchor them in team briefings, and publish them in the post-event report – this builds trust and learning curves.

Checklist for Hof: Organization and Guests

For Organizers

• Set goals: mobility, waste, catering, energy, social, communication
• Plan mobility early: public transport info, bike parking, combined tickets/shuttles, paths from the station
• Organize reusables: providers, deposit system, visible return stations, clear signage
• Waste management: separation stations, train staff, clarify disposal partners
• Brief catering: buy regional/seasonal, vegan/vegetarian options, drinking water points
• Save energy: LED, timing/load schedules, green electricity, check renewable add-ons
• Materials & media: digital tickets, reduced printing on recycled paper, reusable signs
• Integrate accessibility: paths, info, quiet zones, companion services
• Ensure transparency: pre-event info, on-site signage, report results in post-event summaries

For Visitors

• Plan your arrival: use public transport, walk or bike, form carpools
• Bring your own bottle and fill it at refill points (where allowed)
• Respect reusables: keep deposit and return fully
• Take leftovers with you or share; separate waste correctly
• Be considerate: keep accessible paths clear, observe and share information

Local Voices and Places

Sample event venue in Hof: Freiheitshalle, Kulmbacher Str. 4, 95030 Hof.

"Perfect place in a way. You will find always some sort of events that might spark your interest. Highly recommended." — Sannnidh Ramoliya, ★5

"Good event venue - good parking and all you need." — Mirko Bock, ★5

"Good place for events" — Tim Middlecoate, ★4

"A spacious venue with great acoustics and friendly staff" — David Seezen, ★5

"Excellent layout and more than a place to host an event" — Divine Gakpo, ★5

Source: Google Maps – Freiheitshalle Hof (retrieved 2025-11-13). To the map

Trends, Impact, and Outlook

Industry standards systematically address mobility, catering, procurement, energy, social affairs, and communication. The biggest climate lever is in arrival and departure, followed by waste avoidance, sustainable catering, and energy-efficient technology. Digital tickets, water-saving sanitary technology, regional waste separation, organic products, and accessible implementation with transparent communication have proven themselves.

Legal developments (e.g., mandatory reusable offerings) and rising expectations are making green events the new normal. For Hof, this creates opportunities: regional supply chains, rental and repair services, reusable providers, bicycle logistics, and sustainable catering strengthen local value creation.

Conclusion: When arrival is thought of green, reusables work, food is regional and plant-based, energy is used intelligently, and info is easy to find, sustainability does not feel like sacrifice—but like the future.

Further Standards and Sources

1. ISO 20121: Sustainable events — Requirements with guidance for use — international standard for sustainable event management (accessed 2025-11-13)
2. EU Single-Use Plastics Directive — Framework for reducing single-use plastics (accessed 2025-11-13)
3. Packaging Act §33 (Mandatory reusable offer) — Obligations for takeaway sales (accessed 2025-11-13)
4. Packaging Act §34 (Labelling/Information) — Information obligations for reusables (accessed 2025-11-13)
5. German Environment Agency: Making events environmentally friendly — Information on mobility, waste, energy (accessed 2025-11-13)
6. Google Maps: Freiheitshalle Hof — User reviews and orientation (accessed 2025-11-13)