green events certification the office of waste reduction and recycling sustainability office

Green Events Certification

The Office of Waste Reduction and RecyclingSustainability Office

Training OutlineThe Goals of a Green Event

Green Event Standards

1. Waste Reduction

2. Food and Beverage

3. Location

4. Transportation

5. Communication

Greening Your Event

Goals of a Green Event


Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

The Goals of a Green Event

For the Carolina Green program1. Help the environment2. Promote sustainability throughout campus3. Spread awareness about green events4. UNC Carbon Neutrality by 20505. Teach students and staff how to be sustainable

For your event specifically1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle2. Waste Reduction – think zero waste!3. More composting, some recycling and almost no trash4. 360 green5. Promote green events6. Translate what you learn into how you live your daily life

Green Event StandardsAccording to OWRR’s Green Event Standards• Separated into two sections

1. Basic Requirements for Green Events2. More Ideas for Green Events

• Green Shade Grade1. Light Green: 100% of Basic Requirements + 25% of More Ideas2. Medium Green: 100% of Basic Requirements + 50% of More Ideas3. Dark Green: 100% of Basic Requirements + 75% of More Ideas

• Five categories1. Waste Reduction2. Food and Beverage3. Location4. Transportation5. Communication



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

1. Waste Reduction

1. Reduce– Think about the amount of waste you produce– How can you reduce your waste?

2. Reuse– Think about something you use and throw away everyday– Can you reuse it or replace it with a reusable item?

3. Recycle and Compost– Make sure it’s actually recyclable or compostable

4. Landfill– Last resort!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

• Typical business offices generate about 1.5 pounds of waste paper per employee per day.

• Recycling 1 ton of plastic saves 7.4 cubic yards of landfill space

• Plastic trash makes up about 25 percent of the average landfill

• A used aluminum can is recycled and back on the grocery shelf as a new can, in as little as 60 days

Recycling 101



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

RECYCLABLE NOT RECYCLABLE

Recycling 101



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

RECYCLABLE NOT RECYCLABLE

Recycling 101



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/moreviews?catentryId=259773&langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&imageClickSequence=0

• 35% of the garbage (i.e. food, yard waste, paper) in landfills could have been composted – that’s 60 million tons!

• Instead of being buried forever in the landfill, compostable materials are turned into a valuable resource that enriches soil without the use of chemical fertilizers

• Enhances the physical structure of soil• Reduces erosion and runoff, and use of pesticides• Diverting these materials from landfill and recycling them

prevents the generation of methane and reduces greenhouse gas emissions

Composting 101



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

Composting 101



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

• Compost is produced through the activity of aerobic (oxygen-requiring) microorganisms.

• “Compost is the product resulting from the controlled decomposition of organic material that has been sanitized through the generation of heat and stabilized to the point that it is beneficial to plant growth.”

– US Composting Council

• Carbon + Nitrogen + Air + Water = Compost

Composting 101

• Biodegradable ≠ Compostable• Contamination of compost will ruin the

decomposition process• Learn what can and cannot go in the compost• It is important to staff composting sites with

volunteers at all times



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

Composting 101



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

100% Compostable*ASTM D6400ASTM D6868

* In a commercial composting facility

If it rots, it’s compostable!

Composting 101

COMPOSTABLE NOT COMPOSTABLE



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

Composting 101

COMPOSTABLE NOT COMPOSTABLE



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

http://www.biodegradablestore.com/product_comp/pp_bagasse_plate_comp.html

http://www.bing.com/cashback/go?o=IHC6L7XSkGGRqjysvFFLwUCU5l&cbst=1.3&msclkid=27B1B7DFCEB549EEBA36B8EECD54B4A1&c=161009&mu=http://instawares.rdr.channelintelligence.com/go.asp?fVhzOGNRAAQIASNiEzEuKhNoFnppYlEABEwEay5dUFNGFCIPPzg7WUZAChhwJRgURRpPLUtFSEUxISADUV9dFy03Fg0EH0UtCSAlIV9LX0VNciIDAhgHSD0SICgyQEFYVFwzfB0GEkEXbAYJDgpzamQDWkRdChMbK14hP20HAjA2ME5dVFULPDsGPFcQTTdaLTA6SR0OFlQvPAwMDxYcYlxIVkcoLTcCDA==&nAID=18492716

Buy This, Not That!

Reusable Items Recyclable or Compostable Items



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

Buy This, Not That!



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

Buy This, Not That!



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

At minimum, Carolina Green Events must have compostable plates, cups, utensils, serving dishes & napkins.

Reusable items are preferred.




Buy This, Not That!Compostable Products1. Aspenware (www.aspenware.ca)2. Birchware (www.birchware.com)3. EcoProducts (http://www.ecoproducts.com/)4. World Centric (worldcentric.org)

Green Products5. TS Designs T-Shirts (tsdesigns.com)6. Twig (www.twigliving.com)7. Ten Thousand Villages (http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/)8. NC Craft Gallery (http://www.nccraftsgallery.com/)

Stores to Avoid9. Costco10. Sysco11. Walmart12. Fast-food restaurants



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

http://tsdesigns.com/products/shirt-styles/tsdcarolinas/

http://tsdesigns.com/products/shirt-styles/tsdorganic/

http://tsdesigns.com/products/shirt-styles/tsdrecycled/

Serving Material OptionsNon-Compostable Items (Costco) Compostable Items

Solo Cups - Cold (500 ct.) $62.60 World Centric 12oz cups (500 ct.) $55.00

Styrofoam - Hot (500 ct.) $55.00 World Centric Hot Cups (500 ct.) $52.50

Dixie Bowls (500 ct.) $43.96 World Centric Bowls (500 ct.) $32.50

Dixie 9” Plates (500 ct.) $49.38 World Centric 9” plates (500 ct.) $57.50

$210.94 $197.50

Dixie Forks (500 ct.) $21.50 Aspenware Forks (500 ct.) $40.62

Dixie Knives (500 ct.) $16.50 Aspenware Knives (500 ct.) $40.62

Dixie Spoons (500 ct.) $16.50 Aspenware Spoons (500 ct.) $40.62

TOTAL $54.50 TOTAL $121.86

500 ct. Seventh Generation Napkins = $6.60 at Costco



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

Waste Management TipsAccording to OWRR’s Green Event Standards

Preparing for your event1. Announce waste disposal methods and locations2. Work with the venue and its waste management service3. Volunteers are staffing the compost and recycle bins4. Bins have clear signage5. Reusable and/or recycled/recyclable materials are used in booths6. There are no stand alone bins – group bins together7. Coordinate with OWRR about the # of compost and recycling bins needed8. Work with the caterers/food-preparers9. All aluminum and steel cans, glass and plastic bottles, and aluminum food

trays and foil are recycled10.Mixed paper and newspaper are recycled



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

Waste Management TipsAccording to OWRR’s Green Event Standards

Serving Methods1. Use reusable dishes, cups, utensils, napkins, tablecloths and other linens –

back ups are compostable items2. Serving bowls and shakers are reusable3. At least 25% of snack foods are served in bulk rather than individual

packages4. All condiments are in serving containers5. Use small plates for buffets6. Use wood stirrers and straws7. Do not use plastic wrap and other disposable packaging8. All food is served without garnish or garnish is edible9. Snack foods do not require utensilsOther: reuse centerpieces and other event decorations after the event



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

Waste Management Tips



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

2. Food and Beverage

Food and BeverageAccording to OWRR’s Green Event Standards

Menu Required1. 25-50% organic, fair trade or shade grown foods2. 25-50% vegetarian meal selections3. 25-50% of seafood is environmentally friendly*

More ideas1. 50-100% organic, fair trade or shade grown foods2. At least 25% locally grown foods3. 50-100% vegetarian meal selections4. 50-100% of seafood is environmentally friendly*

*http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/download.aspx



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

Food and Beverage

According to OWRR’s Green Event Standards

Education1. Local and organic food is labeled as such2. Publicize/announce efforts by caterers to work with

complying to OWRR’s Green Event Standards

Leftovers3. Donate leftovers to a local food bank or soup kitchen4. Compost unusable leftover food portions or ship

them to a local farm as pig feed



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage


Local Farms1. Maple View Farm (dairy)2. Farmer’s Daughter (pastries and jams)3. Coonrock Farm (poultry, eggs, honey, sheep, goat,

pork, produce)4. Peregrine Farm (flowers, small fruits, vegetables)5. Elysion Fields (vegetables and pork)6. Lyons Farm (fruit)7. Baldwin Farms (Charolais Beef)8. Whitted Bowers Farms (fruits and vegetables)

Grocery Stores1. Carrboro Farmers’ Markets2. Weaver Street Market3. Whole Foods4. Organic and fair trade items from

Trader Joe’s, Harris Teeter, etc.



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

http://www.weaverstreetmarket.coop/


Coffee1. Larry’s Beans2. Counter-Culture3. Organic/fair trade sold at most grocery stores

Catering4. Carolina Catering from CDS5. Garden of Eating6. Green Planet Catering7. The Catering Company8. Neal’s Deli9. Med Deli10. ACME11. Local 1.5.0.



Waste Reduction

Food and Beverage

http://www.counterculturecoffee.com/

3. Location

LocationAccording to OWRR’s Green Event Standards

Required1. Choose a destination that requires minimal travel for attendees

More Ideas2. Hold the event during the day and/or in a location with natural lighting3. Hold the event outside (less light and decoration needed)4. Accommodations should be booked at a certified green/sustainable hotel5. Look for sites around the event that use environmentally friendly products

• Low-flow flush toilets• Captured rainwater for irrigation and toilets• Recycling• Renewable energy uses• Energy-efficient appliances and electronics

Location Transportation Communication Greening Your Event


On UNC’s Campus1. Student Union2. Kenan-Flagler Business School3. Classrooms4. Outside (Polk Place, the Pit, etc.)



Near Chapel Hill1. Rizzo Conference Center2. The Siena Hotel3. Umstead Hotel and Spa4. NC Botanical Gardens (LEED)


4. Transportation

TransportationAccording to OWRR’s Green Event Standards

Required1. Display transit links prominently on the event’s website and other publicity materials

More Ideas2. The event gives attendees incentives to travel via public transit3. The chosen venue has safe wand secure bike parking to encourage biking4. Low-emission vehicles are in use5. Hold meetings via telephone, video or internet to reduce transportation costs and

impacts


http://www.gotriangle.org/

5. Communication

CommunicationAccording to OWRR’s Green Event Standards

Required1. Use at least 30% post-consumer recycled content2. List the amount of recycled content on all printed materials3. Do not use goldenrod or fluorescent-colored paper4. Use double-sided copying and printing

More Ideas5. Reuse one-sided printed materials for internal printing6. Use soy or vegetable-based inks7. Use electronic advertising, promotion and registration whenever possible8. Use newspaper, organizational newsletters or radio rather than a direct mail

publicity campaign


CommunicationAccording to OWRR’s Green Event Standards

Signage1. Signs and banners for recurring events are printed without dates2. Make them from recycled-content, recyclable or reusable materials3. Laminate signs so they can be used for future events4. Print banners on cloth instead of vinyl

Mailing5. Use postcards to direct attendees to event’s website6. Addresses are printed directly onto envelopes, avoiding the use of address labels


Greening Your Event

Greening Your Event

1. Become Green Event certified2. Notify us when you have your event

• At least 3 weeks in advance• [email protected]

3. Fill out the Green Events Preliminary Checklist


mailto:[email protected]

Greening Your Event


Greening Your Event

1. Become Green Event certified2. Notify us when you have your event

• At least 3 weeks in advance• [email protected]

3. Fill out the Green Events Preliminary Checklist4. We will assess your event’s Green Shade Grade and tell

you how many compost/recycling bins you’ll need5. Follow the guidelines and your event will be Certified

Carolina Green6. Complete the event statistics worksheet and return


mailto:[email protected]

Greening Your Event

Initial Tips1. Think local, organic and fair2. Think about vegetarian options3. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle4. In initial call to vendors, mention going green5. Think about ways to educate attendees


http://tsdesigns.com/products/shirt-styles/tsdorganic/

http://tsdesigns.com/products/shirt-styles/tsdrecycled/

The Outcome

Any Questions?

Congratulations!

You’re officially trained to host Carolina Green certified events.

green events certification the office of waste reduction and recycling sustainability office

Documents

event slide

owrrs green event standards

light green

waste reduction slide

green events green shade

beverage slide

green events certification

carolina green program