Skip to main content
Sustainability

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.

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

  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.
  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.
  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.

Event NameSponsoring OrganizationCertification Level
Events Associate, 1/15/2025Center for Environmental Farming ServicesSteward
Farm to ECE Institute, 4/5/2025Center for Environmental Farming ServicesSteward
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
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