7 steps to make your next event “green” and sustainable!
Your goal: reduce waste + recycle more
1. GET YOUR PEOPLE ORGANIZED
Name a “Recycling Coordinator” or put together a “green team” . . . a group of folks who are most interested in promoting recycling and waste prevention . Let your garbage company know about your event & your plans.
2. PLANNING AND PUBLICITY
Let everyone know, especially participants, that you are planning a more “green” event
Integrate the recycling/waste prevention message into your event materials & publicity
Inform everyone involved about the opportunities to recycle on-site
Have all registration be electronic, no paper-based registrations or informational materials
Use recycled content materials for your awards or medals
Power your event with “green power” if available through your utility
3. VENDORS & EXHIBITORS
Help vendors and exhibitors save money. Suggest ways to minimize packaging, minimize waste.
Let vendors and exhibitors know about your plans to recycle and how they can participate
Require “leave no trace”…pack it in, pack it out. You can have a “green” or “environmental” deposit to ensure that each vendor’s area is left clean
Set up a recycling area conveniently located for the vendors and exhibitors
4. RECYCLING
Review what materials can be collected for recycling in your community. Will any of these materials be generated at your event? Here’s a chance to get them out of the garbage & into the recycling bins.
What can you use for recycling receptacles, how can you get them, use clear bags
Where should you put receptacles (“buddy system” by garbage cans)
Make recycling stations visible and easy to use
Use good signage to help people recycle correctly
Monitor receptacles during the event and sort out trash throughout the day
Who will be responsible for collection and turning in recyclables
Help create demand for recycled content and less toxic products. Buy recycled paper for all your printing needs and use soy-based inks. Buy supplies with recycled content, such as cups and napkins, or with low environmental impacts, such as non-toxic cleaners
5. WASTE GENERATION
Plan ahead to reduce the amount of waste generated at your event
THINK…what actions will generate the least amount of waste? Less waste means less garbage means less mess!
Use bulk condiments & buffet style serving, minimize pre-wrapped/pre-packaged items
Encourage the sale of “no packaging required” food items that can be served on a napkin or in their own edible container such as a cone, bun, or tortilla.
Fewer “one-time-use” disposable products, use baskets with liners, or durable goods and wash them
Use refillable containers such as pitchers or punchbowls rather than single-serve containers
Give or sell a refillable souvenir cup/bottle that is the only way to buy beverages on –site, do not allow disposable cups or bottles to be sold by vendors
Use decorations that can be re-used or given away, such as live plants or bowls of fruit
6. FOOD AND COMPOSTING
Plan to donate leftover food to a local food bank, gleaners, Pioneer Potlatch, community meals
Consider composting food scraps (organics)
Are there any small farmers (or big gardeners!) in your area who could compost food scraps, coffee grounds and paper contaminated with food residue
Are there any small livestock producers who could utilize food scraps
Encourage vendors to use local, seasonal and organic ingredients whenever possible. Provide vegetarian/vegan food options if possible.
Consider offering only PLA (corn-based) or other type of biodegradable cups, plates, cutlery, napkins and set up a return system with the product supplier for composting
7. Site
Try to choose a site that minimizes the amount of driving people have to do to get there. Is the site accessible by walking or riding a bike? Reward people who arrive in carpools or by shuttle bus or public transit
Ask about each site’s environmental practices such as pest control, water usage, green building practices, and recycling activities
Use environmentally friendly portable bathrooms with bio-degradable solution and recycled toilet paper
Have a Community Clean-Up for the site before and after the event