How to host a ZERO WASTE EVENT. Stark State College Sustainability Task Force

Transcription

1 How to host a ZERO WASTE EVENT Stark State College Sustainability Task Force

2 A Zero Waste Event is defined as any onetime program, occasion or event that reduces waste by diverting 90% or more of trash from landfills by recycling and composting. Event Planning and Publicity Assign leadership roles amongst the event planning committee for working toward a zero waste event. Print addresses directly onto envelopes avoiding use of address labels. Use removable or erasable dates when making signs and posters to allow for reuse. Instead of direct mail, consider radio announcements or publicize your event via and web sites. Explain the zero-waste objectives of the event to participants, in advance if possible. Print on recycled paper and use a printer that offers soy or vegetable inks Design reusable or recyclable signs for use at the event. Provide incentives for attendees to bring reusable items Minimizing the packaging for such items as prizes, centerpieces, or decorations.

3 Event Location Look for a convenient location near mass transportation or one that offers bike racks. Seek naturally-lighted meeting rooms to conserve energy. Seek a location that already offers recycling services. Consider displaying the agenda or other lists enlarged on easels instead of printing sheets to hand out to each participant. Use reusable name badge holders and collect them afterwards for reuse. Use dry erase boards or chalkboards instead of flip chart paper. Select venues that are as energy efficient as possible. Offer reusable or durable remembrances of the event like travel mugs and recycled pads of paper, instead of one time use items with a short life. You don t have to sacrifice convenience - or flavor - to hold a low-impact party!

4 Food & Recycling Waste Provide reusable or compostable items such as silverware, glasses, mugs, plates and garbage bags. Enjoy local and organic foods. Consider offering plates, cups and silverware made of recycled content. Compost food scraps. Avoid plasticware. Plastic products are made from the petroleum and cannot be recycled or composted. Request and offer clearly labeled recycling and compost bins and services for your event. Consider attaching samples of each waste item that will be generated at your event on a sign above the proper disposal container. Make a plan for where compostable materials will go once the event is over. Within a year, scraps including corn-based cups and paper plates will decompose to form a nutrient rich soil amendment. Donate excess food to local shelters, food banks, or soup kitchens. Eliminating commercial bottled water distribution in favor of bulk water stations and compostable cups.

5 Where's the trash? Provide labeled containers for: RECYCLING Plastic Glass Aluminum COMPOSTING Food Napkins Paper & Cardboard Also provide a separate container for liquid waste. Exhibitors & Presenters Encourage speakers to prepare computer presentations instead of handouts. If handouts are required, ask them to print double-sided. Offer resources or copies of presentation materials via or downloadable from a web site. When requiring pre-registration, consider offering online registration. At events where vendors are participating, communicate to them what recycling options will be available to encourage them to only distribute those items (i.e. sampling in paper cups if composting).

6 The quality of the materials that we send to be composted is very important. Event hosts are responsible for ensuring that contamination of event compost bags does not occur. Composting is easy, but clear communication to event participants about what can and cannot be composted is critical. Make sure all food and serving products you will need, such as food, drinks, cups, plates, bowls, utensils, tablecloths, and centerpieces are compostable. Ensure all plastic looking products are compostable (especially drink cups) to avoid confusion. Use compostable garbage bags. Make sure compost is picked up in a timely manner after your event. Put out signage. Taping pictures or descriptions of actual objects to the bins is helpful. Train custodians, servers, bartenders, and volunteers in the proper procedures for composting. Make announcements about the zero waste activities.

7 What CAN be composted? ALL food waste (including grains, breads, meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables, tea bags, and coffee grinds) Napkins & paper towels Compostable plates, bowls, cups, and utensils Wooden coffee stirrers Tea bags (staples are ok) and coffee grinds The compostable bags that line the bins What CANNOT be composted? Plastics Metal Coffee lids Sugar packets (these are lined with plastic coating) Plastic ketchup or similar dressing and sauce packets Styrofoam cups Plastic bags Foil or plastic bags that individually wrapped tea bags come in If you re not sure trash it!

8 A Program of the Sustainability Task Force at:: Sponsored in part by: The key to a Zero Waste event is careful planning so that all materials are reusable, recyclable or compostable. There's no need for a trash can! When the event is over, you and your guests will feel good knowing that the festivities didn't come at a cost to the environment. Questions? If you d like to learn more about planning and implementing a Zero Waste event, contact Stefanie Smith Sustainability Coordinator ssmith2@starkstate.edu Ext Jody Levitt Regional & Ohio Fuel Cell Education Coordinator jlevitt@starkstate.edu Ext. 4683