Sustainable Event Certification

If you are hosting the event in person, consider hosting the event outdoors, in a LEED Certified campus building or in a naturally -lit indoor area.

• Ensure the event location is accessible and alternative transportation such as bus, bicycle, carpool or on foot is available.

Review event promotional materials and consider going all-digital and paperless.

• If using printed materials, post items in a centralized location to reduce waste.
• Include information about your event’s sustainable practices in your promotions
• For applicable promotional materials, exclude the date of the event so materials can be reused another year
  • Examples include banners and tshirts.

Use Questions to Consider provided by the University Sustainability Office to make sustainability-conscious choices when evaluating purchases or rental options.

• Make a purposeful evaluation of vital and non-essential items for your event to reduce costs and waste.
• Borrow or rent necessary items such as tables and chairs from campus partners before purchasing new.
• Reduce event cost and waste by:
  • Selecting reusable supplies that can be utilized for future events.
  • Purchasing compostable supplies or materials made of recycled content.
  • Purchasing supplies in bulk.
  • Purchasing locally produced products.

If hosting a giveaway, utilize a service or consumable item in order to limit waste.

• Examples include coupons, tickets to an NC State event, gift certificates, plants or food.
• If your event requires t-shirts, choose shirts made locally from organic and/or recycled materials.

If your event is providing refreshments, provide a variety of food choices that are purchased locally.

• Consider a menu that accommodates vegetarian, vegan and allergen diets.
• Consider a menu that allows for guests to eat without the need of utensils and plates in order to reduce waste.
• Minimize food waste by making an excess food donation plan.

Evaluate your waste, compost and recycling needs with event resources from Zero Waste Events.

• Contact NC State Waste Reduction and Recycling to rent event clearstreams and purchase compostable supplies
• Enlist volunteers to ensure that event clearstreams are set up and used correctly.
• Provide clear signage for guests to know what is recyclable, compostable or landfill.
• Set zero waste goals, such as recycling or composting at least 90% of event waste.
• Communicate zero waste goals and expectations to event volunteers and attendees.

Spread the Word: Announce specific sustainability opportunities for event participants during the event and if applicable, place sustainability-related signs at clearly visible locations.

• Examples include promoting locally-sourced menu items or signs informing guests what items are compostable.

Offer Rewards: Incentivize sustainable actions at your event. Offer prizes, recognition online or at the event, or reduced registration fees for vendors and attendees that make sustainable contributions.

Reduce Event Waste: Utilize volunteers to ensure proper disposal of event waste. Provide volunteers with a reference guide on what can and can’t be recycled or composted.

Reduce Waste: Allow guests to take home excess food and donate the remaining items to a local nonprofit. Follow proper breakdown and return procedures of event clearstream bins.

Promote your Success: Spread the word about the success of your event’s zero waste and sustainability efforts on social media.

Evaluate Success: If evaluating your event, opt for an online survey rather than paper surveys.

Say Thanks, Sustainably: Show your appreciation to event attendees in a sustainable way. Send gift certificates, electronic or recycled thank you cards, plants or consumables as a way to say thank you.