Plan a Sustainable Event

A few small changes make a big difference when it comes to reducing your event's environmental impact. Here are our tips to help you plan a sustainable event:

Plan Ahead

Give yourself time to look for reusable, compostable or recyclable supplies-limited time may limit your sustainable product options. Tell your guests, presenters, vendors and exhibitors in advance that your event is sustainable. This will build awareness about sustainability at your event and your guests will be more likely to comply with your sustainable practices.

Go Paperless

Promote your event online rather than printing flyers or posters. Also consider emailing invitations, agendas, programs, booklets, comment forms, surveys and the like.

Say "No" to Single Serve

Purchase condiments like ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper and butter in bulk instead of in single-serve packets. The packaging for many single-serve condiments is not recyclable. Instead of offering disposable water bottles, serve tap water in a pitcher with reusable or compostable cups (or ask your guests to bring their own reusable water bottles).

Choose Food Service Items Wisely

Look for reusable items first, compostable items second and recyclable items third. Our checklist will help you decide what products to purchase for your sustainable event (or what items to request from your caterer):

Food Service Items based on Recyclability

Item	Best Choice	Second Choice	Third Choice
Utensils	Reusable	Recyclable Plastic
Cups	Reusable	Certified Compostable	Cans or Bottles
Dishware	Reusable	Paper or Certified Compostable
Stir Sticks	Reusable Spoon	Wood (Compostable)
Food Wrap, Containers or Packaging	Reusable	Paper	Recyclable Plastic

Order Recycling and Organics Bins

Order Zero Waste bins to make sure your guests can properly dispose of recyclable and compostable items.