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Sustainable Events

Engaging the Wolfpack with sustainability.

A sustainable event represents wise stewardship of resources, prudent financial planning and environmentally responsible operations. It also inspires attendees to live more sustainably.

A Live@Lake Raleigh spring event provides a social outdoor venue on Centennial Campus. Photo by Becky Kirkland.

Learn how to create sustainable events and receive Sustainable Event Certification using the following resources:

Before the Event

  1. Event Location:
    • Host the event outdoors, in a LEED Certified campus building, or in a naturally-lit indoor area.
    • Ensure the event location is accessible and offers alternative transportation options (bus, bicycle, carpool, walking).
  2. Promotional Materials:
    • Go all-digital and paperless if possible.
    • If using printed materials, post them in a centralized location to reduce waste.
    • Include information about your event’s sustainable practices in your promotions.
    • Exclude the date from promotional materials like banners and t-shirts to allow for reuse in future years.
  3. Sustainable Choices:
    • Use the “Questions to Consider” provided by the University Sustainability Office for sustainability-conscious decisions.
    • Evaluate vital and non-essential items to reduce costs and waste.
    • Borrow or rent necessary items like tables and chairs from campus partners before purchasing new.
  4. Reduce Cost and Waste:
    • Select reusable supplies for future events.
    • Purchase compostable supplies or materials made of recycled content.
    • Buy supplies in bulk and choose locally produced products.
    • For giveaways, use services or consumable items to limit waste (e.g., coupons, tickets, gift certificates, plants, food).
    • Choose t-shirts made locally from organic and/or recycled materials if required.
  5. Refreshments:
    • Provide locally sourced food choices that accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and allergen diets.
    • Opt for a menu that reduces the need for utensils and plates to minimize waste.
    • Plan for excess food donation to minimize food waste.
  6. Waste Management:
    • Evaluate your waste, compost, and recycling needs using Zero Waste Events resources.
    • Contact NC State Waste Reduction and Recycling to rent event clearstreams and purchase compostable supplies.
    • Enlist volunteers to set up and manage clearstreams correctly.
    • Provide clear signage to guide guests on what is recyclable, compostable, or landfill.
    • Set zero waste goals (e.g., recycle or compost at least 90% of event waste) and communicate these goals to volunteers and attendees.

During the Event

  1. Spread the Word:
    • Announce specific sustainability opportunities for participants during the event.
    • Place sustainability-related signs in visible locations (e.g., promoting locally-sourced menu items, compostable item information).
  2. Offer Rewards:
    • Incentivize sustainable actions with prizes, online recognition or reduced registration fees for vendors and attendees who contribute sustainably.
  3. Reduce Event Waste:
    • Utilize volunteers to ensure proper disposal of event waste.
    • Provide volunteers with a reference guide on what can and cannot be recycled or composted.

After the Event

  1. Reduce Waste:
    • Allow guests to take home excess food and donate remaining items to a local nonprofit.
  2. Promote Your Success:
    • Spread the word about your event’s zero waste and sustainability efforts on social media.
  3. Evaluate Success:
    • Use an online survey instead of paper surveys to evaluate your event.
  4. Say Thanks, Sustainably:
    • Show appreciation to attendees sustainably with gift certificates, electronic or recycled thank you cards, plants, or consumables.

Certify Your Event Sustainable

STEP 1: INCORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY

Use the resources above to integrate sustainability before, during and after your event. The certification process uses a point-based system to evaluate the event based on your incorporation of sustainability practices. Certification is offered at the following levels:

  • Contributor: 8-14 of total survey points
  • Steward: 15-22 of total survey points
  • Champion: 23 or more of total points
STEP 2: SUBMIT CERTIFICATION

Certify your event by completing the online certification form.

STEP 3: PROMOTE YOUR ACHIEVEMENT

Be sure to use the certification as a way to promote your event. Display your sustainable event certificate at the event and include it in press releases and/or media talking points.

Certified Sustainable Events: 2025

Event NameSponsoring OrganizationCertification Level
Events Associate, 1/15/2025Center for Environmental Farming ServicesSteward
Make-A-Thon, 1/23-26/2025Campus-wide initiative; see go.ncsu.edu/MakeAThonChampion
Organic Commodities and Livestock Conference, 3/4/2025Center for Environmental Farming Services and Carolina Farm Stewardship AssociationContributor
Spring 2025 CALS & CNR HOT Jobs + Internships Fair, 3/5/2025College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Natural ResourcesChampion
Sustainability Seminar, 3/19/2025Sustainability StewardsSteward
2025 NC WRRI Annual Conference, 3/19-20/2025NC WRRIChampion
2025 Sailpack Oriental Intercollegiate Regatta, 3/29-30/2025NC State Sailing TeamSteward
NC State College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Dinner, 4/1/2025CVM Philanthropy Team, NCVMFContributor
Farm Feast, 4/2/2025NC State DiningChampion
4th Annual MEAS Symposium, 4/4/2025Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric SciencesSteward
Farm to ECE Institute, 4/5/2025Center for Environmental Farming ServicesSteward
Events Associate, 4/8/2025Center for Environmental Farming ServicesSteward
Earth Fair, 4/9/2025University Sustainability OfficeChampion
Celebration of Sustainability, 4/22/2025Climate and Sustainability Academy, Sustainability Council, University Sustainability OfficeChampion
Farm to Fork Picnic, 6/8/2025Center for Environmental Farming ServicesChampion
CEFS Advisory Board Meeting, 7/15/2025Center for Environmental Farming ServicesChampion
CEFS Strategic Planning Meeting, 8/6/2025Center for Environmental Farming ServicesChampion

Certified Sustainable Events: 2024

Event NameSponsoring OrganizationCertification Level
Make-A-Thon, 1/26-28/2024Campus-wide initiative; see go.ncsu.edu/MakeAThonChampion
CVM Annual Scholarship Dinner, 2/20/2024NC State College of Veterinary MedicineSteward
Eco+Pack Signature Event, 3/18-21/2024Eco+PackChampion
2024 WRRI Annual Conference, 3/20-21/2024NC Water Resources Research InstituteChampion
Farm Feast, 4/4/2024NC State DiningChampion
Earth Fair, 4/10/2024University Sustainability OfficeChampion
CEFS Advisory Board Meeting, 4/12/2024Center for Environmental Farming Services Champion
Out of Darkness Walk, 4/13/2024NC State Department of Prevention ServicesSteward
Celebration of Sustainability, 4/23/2024Sustainability Council, University Sustainability OfficeChampion
Turtle Tours, 5/9/2024College of Veterinary MedicineSteward
Farm to Early Care and Education Learning, 5/14/2024Center for Environmental Farming ServicesSteward
Bus Ops BBQ, 5/30/2024Facilities Business OperationsSteward
Farm to Fork Picnic, 6/2/2024Center for Environmental Farming Services Champion
CVM’s Annual Curtin Society Luncheon, 6/13/2024College of Veterinary MedicineSteward
Carolina Meat Conference, 7/30-31/2024NC ChoicesChampion
Sustainability Stewards’ Fall Retreat, 8/16/2024Sustainability OfficeSteward
Sustainability Stroll, 8/21-22/2024Sustainability OfficeChampion
Your Sustainable State, 8/22/2024Sustainability OfficeChampion
Campus As A Classroom Retreat, 8/25/2024Sustainability OfficeSteward
Sustainability Involvement Fair, 8/27/2024Eco Plus PackChampion
All Carolinas Dining Event, 9/7/2024NC State DiningChampion
Farm to Fork Charlotte, 9/29/2024Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
College of Natural Resources Career Fair, 10/2/2024College of Natural ResourcesChampion
2024 NC Coastal Conference, 11/13-14/2024NC Sea GrantChampion
Flow Forward, 11/13/2024NC State Sustainability StewardsChampion
Envisioning Urban Futures: Charlanata, 11/13/2024NC State UniversityChampion
All CEFS Strategic Planning Meeting, 11/20/2024Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
Green Grill Out, 11/21/2024Sustainability StewardsChampion

Certified Sustainable Events: 2023

Event NameSponsoring OrganizationCertification Level
Discomfort Club End of Year Celebration, 12/9/2023Discomfort ClubSteward
Staff Senate Winter Farmer’s Market Tour, 12/6/2023NC State Staff Senate Resources and Environment CommitteeChampion
Geospatial Forum, 11/17/2023Center for Geospatial AnalyticsChampion
Staff Senate Agroecology Farm Tour, 11/15/2023NC State Staff Senate Resources and Environment CommitteeChampion
2023 Triangle Tango Intercollegiate Regatta, 11/11-12/2023Sailing Club at NC StateChampion
Geospatial Forum, 11/2/2023Center for Geospatial AnalyticsChampion
Staff Senate Compost Facility Tour, 10/25/2023NC State Staff Senate Resources and Environment CommitteeChampion
All CEFS Meeting, 10/27/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
CEFS Field Research, Education and Outreach Facility at Cherry Research Farm Tour, 10/25/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
Farm to ECE Institute, 10/21/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
Geospatial Forum, 10/20/2023Center for Geospatial AnalyticsChampion
Envisioning Urban Futures, 10/18/2023Office of University Interdisciplinary Programs, NC State Libraries, Initiative for Community Growth and DevelopmentChampion
Extension Early Career Conference, 10/2-4/2023NC State ExtensionChampion
Farm to Fork Picnic (Charlotte), 10/1/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
2023 SailPack Women’s Intercollegiate Regatta, 9/31-10/1/2023Sailing Club at NC StateChampion
KIETS Climate Leaders Program Symposium, 9/28-29/2023KIETS Climate Leaders ProgramChampion
Staff Senate PULSTAR Nuclear Reactor TourNC State Staff Senate Resources and Environment CommitteeChampion
All Carolinas Dining Event, 9/7/2023NC State DiningChampion
An Afternoon with Our Pack: Celebrating NC State’s Red Wolf Conservation and Care, 9/6/2023NC State CVMChampion
CEFS Lunch and Intentional Workplace Facilitated Meeting, 8/31/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
College of Sciences Welcome Back Picnic, 8/31/2023College of SciencesChampion
ASPIRE Closing Lunch and Poster Presentations, 7/28/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
CEFS Small Farm Unit Demonstration & Field Day, 7/12-23/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
NC State CVM Terrence Curtin Society Annual Luncheon, 6/7/2023NC State CVMChampion
Farm to Fork Picnic, 6/4/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
CEFS Summer Internship Welcome Lunch, 5/22/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
CEFS Advisory Board Meeting, 5/5/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
Networking with CEFS, 4/20/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
All CEFS, 4/19/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
Celebration of NC State Sustainability, 4/18/2023University Sustainability OfficeChampion
Eco+Pack, 4/17-21/2023Eco+PackChampion
Caring For Your Lawn, 4/13/2023NC State Staff SenateChampion
Earth Fair, 4/12/2023University Sustainability OfficeChampion
Reducing Your Food Waste, 4/6/2023NC State Staff SenateChampion
Next Level Marketing Strategies for Local, Niche Meat Businesses, 4/4/2023NC ChoicesChampion
2023 WRRI Annual Conference, 3/22-23/2023NC Water Resources Research InstituteChampion
Forging Our Food Future: 2023 Statewide Gathering, 3/15-16/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
FoodCon 2023, 2/16/2023Poole College Business Sustainability CollaborativeChampion
NC State CVM’s Annual Scholarship Dinner, 2/15/2023College of Veterinary MedicineChampion
Southern Cover Crops Conference, 2/14-15/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
CEFS Advisory Board Meeting, 2/3/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion
NC State Make-A-Thon, 1/27-29/2023NC State Entrepreneurship, Sustainability, Libraries and HousingChampion
CEFS Holiday Afterparty, 1/27/2023Center for Environmental Farming SystemsChampion

Questions: sustainability@ncsu.edu