If you're planning a large business meeting or convention in the near future, it may be wise to consider the environmental impact a large-scale gathering can have. Bruce MacMillan, the CEO from the Meetings Professional International, suggests that 2,200 people attending a five-day event may generate one ton of plastic waste. And that's just from disposable serving pieces. Throw air travel to and from the event, an exorbitant amount of paper consumption and the waste leftover from exhibits into the mix, and you've got one grand old rootin', tootin', pollutin' time.

The Republican and Democrat parties will attempt to set a precedent later this year when they each host their national conventions. The Democratic National Convention will use biodegradable balloons and confetti made from recycled paper to celebrate their party's presidential nomination. The event organizers also plant to install recycled carpeting in the convention hall and eco-friendly paint will be used on the walls.

Meanwhile the Republicans are working to improve the energy efficiency of their event, and will attempt to reduce the amount of paper waste by focusing more on electronic communication. The party will also employ the use of fuel-efficient vehicles in the convention auto pool.

This trend seems to be spreading; 87 per cent of the world's top 500 companies with corporate social responsibility reports tackle the topic of climate change, and 78 per cent provide quantitative emissions information. There isn't one particular industry that seems to be "out-greening" the others, with a widespread initiative to become more earth-conscious spreading across technology, real estate, tourism and religion sectors.

Recycling is pretty much a given at these events and now companies are taking it up to the next level by requesting locally grown or organic food, reserving green accommodations for travelers and planting trees to offset the impact that flights to and from meetings have on the environment. Though some of these options seem more expensive initially, they often end up saving money in the long run. By offering refillable bottles or using pitchers and glasses, the cost of providing plastic water bottles is greatly reduced - and so is the amount of waste going to a landfill.

And though some meetings can be conducted via web and teleconferencing, some industry professionals such as Deborah Sexton, CEO of the Professional Convention Management Association say that face-to-face meetings are often essential and can help boost local tourism.

Admits Sexton, "You'll never have the perfect meeting, no one will. ... But the more you do year in and year out, the better off it'll be."

» CNN Travel