As a PA, you have to organise meetings, both in-house and externally. But are you taking responsibility for the mountain of waste that your meetings create? Try these tips to cut down on wasted paper, food and resources.

Use e-mail to communicate with attendees. For large events set up a website. In meetings, use electronic whiteboards, not flipcharts, and reduce notepad usage. Produce paper handouts only as required: where possible, distribute them digitally or on memory sticks. Use recycled paper and print on both sides.

Save power in your meetings: use daylit rooms, don’t leave equipment on stand-by, switch off lights whenever they are not in use and turn air conditioning or heating systems down.

Don’t over-order food for meetings. Use proper cutlery and crockery, not disposable, and avoid individually wrapped portions. Avoid condiments in tiny packets: they create enormous waste and are far more expensive.

Try not to supply water in plastic bottles: most are non-degradable and are not recycled. Around half a million tonnes of them end up in landfill sites in Britain each year. Instead, serve pitchers of tap water and use water coolers. Encourage delegates to use one plastic cup all day (which then hopefully gets recycled) or use china — which they are sure to prefer.

Check the sustainability credentials of external venues. Do they recycle, compost and use low-energy lightbulbs?

When looking at locations for meetings, aim to reduce vehicle CO2 emissions by choosing venues close to public transport and amenities: don’t give people a reason to drive. Help people to be green by giving them reasons not to take the car.

The meetings you arrange can be shockingly wasteful or environmentally friendly — it’s up to you. But if you want to help the planet, and give a good impression of your firm, you’ll know which to choose.

Next week: how being green can boost your career.

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