Early Planning
⭐ Does this event need to be in person? Consider remote and streaming tools to reduce waste
⬜ Designate a Sustainability Coordinator on your team for the event or meeting
⬜ Contact Facilities Management 1-2 weeks in advance to coordinate zero and low waste event services
⬜ Purchase carbon offsets or make offsets part of your event registration process
Venue & Lodging
⭐ Take advantage of venues that provide compost services
⬜ Choose venues that are LEED certified, like Bruininks Hall
⬜ Use the U’s Building Energy Dashboards to find a venue with a low energy footprint
⬜ Explore on-campus lodging to limit attendee transportation and save money
⬜ Choose hotels that reduce their environmental impact
Transportation
⬜ Use bike racks and bike share locations and make bike repair kits available
⬜ Encourage guests to carpool or recommend a carpool service
⬜ Promote campus and mass transit options, especially walking
⬜ Consider discounts or recognition for guests who use transit or alternative transportation
Materials
⬜ Distribute materials digitally to save money and paper
⬜ Use recycled paper for signs and badges and avoid shipping waste with UMN Printing Services
⬜ Avery recycled name tags cost under $0.10/each if bought through UMN
⬜ Have latex gloves, compost and garbage bags, and sanitizer on hand for cleanup
⬜ Do not provide swag that’s single-use or likely thrown away
⬜ If swag is a must, make it opt-in during event registration and consider reusable items
⬜ Consider non-material gifts — thanks, recognition, experiences, photographs
Refreshments
⭐ Contact vendors that offer zero-waste catering services
⭐ Talk to your vendors about sustainability priorities
⬜ Order biodegradable cups, plates, and utensils
⬜ Opt for plant-based, vegetarian catered food
⬜ Provide water from jugs or coolers rather than plastic bottles
⬜ Encourage participants to bring their own reusable water bottles
⬜ Avoid individually-wrapped food items and buy condiments in bulk
⬜ Call a licensed hunger-relief organization to donate leftovers:
⬜ Label your trash, recycling, and compost bins (this site has bilingual labels)
- Monitor waste stations so that waste ends up in the correct container
- Empty bins often to reduce insect and odors
Attendees & Guests
⬜ Thank everyone who took “green” transit to the event
⬜ Provide clear sustainability expectations (where and how to use compost, recycling, etc.)
⬜ Share your sustainability work with your guests, including links to resources you used
⬜ Conduct a sustainability retrospective and share your results with your team or attendees