Sustainable Event Certification

A sustainable event certification offers campus event planners the opportunity to be recognized for sustainable event planning.

Criteria for certification includes the following categories: food, waste, purchasing, education, marketing, transportation, energy and water, service, innovation. The certification levels allow for recognition across many areas and regardless of event type (see scoring explanation). Certification Levels available:

  • Contributor (25% – 49% of total survey points)
  • Steward (50% – 74% of total survey points)
  • Champion (75% or more of total points)

 

Certify Your Event

 

Step 1: Incorporate Sustainability

Use the resources below to integrate sustainability before, during and after your event. The online certification form uses a point-based system to evaluate the event based on your incorporation of the following sustainability practices.

  1. Appoint a Sustainability Coordinator for all planned events both large and small.
  2. Choose an Event Time and Location
    1. Let the Sun Shine In: Choose to hold the event in a sustainability-conscious setting.
    2. Outdoors
    3. LEED certified campus building
    4. Naturally-lit indoor location
    5. Make it Accessible: Choose to hold the event in a location easily accessible by alternative transportation (i.e. bus, bicycle, carpool, on foot).
    6. Include alternative transportation information in event promotion. This could be bus routes and schedules, bicycle routes and park and ride locations.
    7. Go a Step Further… (select all that apply)
      1. Encourage and incentivize alternative transportation in informative event material.
      2. Choose to conduct the event online via webinar or virtual conferencing software such as NC State Blackboard Collaborate.
      3. If participants are anticipated to use conventional transportation means, offer a travel offset (small donation) option to event participants in an effort to enhance local non-profits’ efforts to better the surrounding community/environment.
    8. Innovate: What other ideas do you have to enhance the sustainability of your event location?
  1. Promote the Event
    1. Go Digital: Design a promotional plan that utilizes digital communications tactics wherever possible.
    2. Go a Step Further… (select all that apply)
      1. Design a paperless promotional campaign.
      2. Printing event materials? Use recycled paper or paper that has been FSC-certified for responsible tree harvesting.
      3. Post printed materials in a centralized location to reduce waste related to your event.
      4. Ask printing company to opt for soy-based ink rather than conventional ink products, which are manufactured using petroleum sources.
    3. Talk It Up: Advertise your sustainability efforts to participants in event materials.
      1. If your event earns a Wolfpack Certified Sustainable Event certification, display the certification and include this achievement in promotional material.
    4. Innovate: What other ideas do you have to enhance the sustainability of your event promotion and marketing?
  1. Purchase or Rent Sustainable Supplies
    1. Big Savings are a Click Away: Use “Questions to Consider” purchasing resources provided by NC State’s Sustainability Office to make sustainable choices when evaluating purchase or rental options.
    2. Cut it Out: Make a purposeful evaluation of vital event details versus potentially non-essential items to reduce extraneous event costs and waste.
    3. See What’s Out There: Borrow necessary items (chairs, tables, banners, etc.) from campus partners and university departments or explore rental options before purchasing new supplies.
    4. Rack Up on Reusables: Cut event costs by choosing reusable supplies that can be utilized in future events. Purchase reused products from NC State Surplus.
    5. Go a Step Further… (select all that apply)
      1. Purchase supplies with recycled content and reduced packaging material.
      2. If organizing a giveaway for your event, utilize sustainable alternatives such as a service or consumable item that will not contribute to event waste (e.g. coupons, experiences, tickets for NC State athletic event, gift certificates, plants, food, etc.)
      3. Buy in bulk. Reduce costs and excess packaging waste while also ensuring access to supplies for future events.
      4. Make a sustainable choice for event t-shirts by purchasing recycled cotton, organic cotton or shirts made from recycled plastic bottles.
      5. Buy local. Support the local economy and reduce travel distances for event supplies by purchasing locally produced products.
      6. Purchase materials from B Corporations in the area or Fair Trade Certified products that promote socially and environmentally responsible business practices.
    6. Innovate! What other ideas do you have for using sustainable materials at your event?
  1. Choose Food
    1. Eat Well: Plan to provide healthy food choices (whole grains, vegetables, fruit and proteins, etc.) for event participants
    2. Variety is Best: Plan to provide a variety of menu options to allow for vegetarian, vegan and allergen diets.
    3. Go a Step Further… (select all that apply)
      1. Choose local or organic and in-season produce.
      2. Utilize Fair Trade certified options in your menu planning.
      3. Buy in bulk. Purchase from a wholesale distributor to stretch your budget and reduce excess packaging.
      4. Choose a sustainable alternative to plastic forks and knives such as compostable tableware.
    4. Innovate! What other ideas do you have to make food and food service at your event more sustainable?
  1. Reduce Event Waste
    1. Call in the On-campus Experts: Evaluate your waste and recycling needs with event resources from Zero Waste Events or call 919.515.9421 to contact Waste Reduction and Recycling staff.
    2. Complete an online Service Request Form to request zero waste bins from Waste Reduction and Recycling.
    3. Go a Step Further… (select all that apply)
      1. Set zero waste goals your event can achieve. Recycle or compost >50% of event waste or compost 5 pizza boxes. A small goal is a starting point.
      2. Enlist several event volunteers for bin management. This ensures proper setup and attendee use of zero waste bins.
      3. Provide clear signage for disposal items at each zero waste station.
      4. Communicate zero waste goals and expectations to event volunteers and attendees.
      5. If using vendors at your event, notify them of zero waste standards and discuss their compliance. A “Dear Vendor” letter is available online.
    4. Innovate! What other ideas do you have for reducing waste at your event?
  1. Benefit the Community
    1. Move It: Include a physical activity to encourage attendees to move more for better health.
    2. Partner Up: Include a small service opportunity to benefit the community at your event. Consider a canned food or blood drive and incentivize participation with a reduced registration fee or thank you gift. Talk to local non-profits or service organizations for more ideas, resources and opportunities.
    3. Innovate! What other ideas do you have for incorporating community stewardship into your event to benefit the community and sustainability?

  1. Spread the Word: Advertise the sustainability considerations of your event. Place sustainability-related signs at clearly visible locations and announce specific sustainability opportunities for event participants.
  2. 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.
  3. Reduce Event Waste:
    1. Volunteers are utilized for waste management in order to ensure proper disposal of event waste at zero waste bins.
    2. Each waste station has a trained volunteer with a reference tool on what can and can’t be recycled or composted.

  1. Reduce Waste:
    1. Wrap Up your Waste Reduction Efforts: Follow proper break down and return procedure of zero waste bins.
    2. Donate Extra Food: Reduce food waste at your event and donate any excess food to a local food bank or soup kitchen.
  2. Promote your Success: Spread the word about the success of your event’s zero waste and sustainability efforts on social media or other public communication medium.
  3. Evaluate Success: If evaluating your event, opt for an online survey rather than paper surveys.
  4. 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.

 

Step 2: Submit Certification

Certify your event by completing the simple Online Certification Form.

Certify Now

 

Step 3: Promote Your Achievement

Be sure to use the certification as a way to promote your event, including displaying your Sustainable Event Certificate at the event and include it in press releases and/or media talking points.

Questions: sustainability@ncsu.edu

 

Certified Events

 

2017
Event Name Sponsoring Organization Certification Level
Blue Zone Dinner, NC State Dining Steward
SailPack Women’s Intercollegiate Regatta, 9/16/17 Sailing Club at NC State Steward
USGBC Career Panel: Advancing Your Green Career, 9/12/17 NCSU USGBC Student Group Contributor
Sundae Funday, 8/27/17 Triad RAs Steward
Shack-a-thon, 9/18/17 NC State Habitat for Humanity Chapter Contributor
Eclipse Day Celebration, 8/21/17 College of Sciences Steward
Agroecology Farm Dinner, 10/6/17 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Steward
Welcome Back Picnic, 8/21/17 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) at NC State Contributor
Packapalooza, 8/19/17 NC State Champion
New Student Orientation Welcome Reception, June – July 2017 RAVE! Events Champion
“Get The Scoop” with CSLEPS Open House, 8/17/17 CSLEPS/td> Steward
Gregg Museum of Art & Design Grand Re-Opening, 8/26/17 Arts NC State Champion
CEFS Farm to Childcare Learning Session, 10/4/17 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
CEFS State Food Policy Council, 6/26/17 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
CEFS Apprenticeship Orientation, 5/26/17 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
How to be a Sustainable Conscious Consumer, 4/27/17 CSLEPS Champion
Pastured Pork and Poultry Walk, Demonstration, and Intensive for Beginning Farmers , 4/20/17 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Earth Day Free Expression Tunnel Painting, 4/17/17 NC State Stewards Contributor
Spring Tailgate, 4/5/17 Delta Gamma Contributor
All CEFS Meeting, 9/8/17 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Farm to Fork Picnic, 6/2-4/17 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Rooted in Community National Conference , 7/19-23/17 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Carolina Meat Conference, 9/25-26/17 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
CEFS Board Retreat , 5/10-11/17 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Celebration of NC State Sustainability, 4/20/17 Sustainability Council Champion
Lunch and Learn: Sustainability at CREE, 4/7/17 Net Impact Steward
All CEFS Meeting, 3/17/17 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
NC Coastal Conference, 4/4-5/17 NC Sea Grant Champion
Earth Fair, 4/5/17 University Sustainability Office Champion
Mason Pharr Seminar, 3/30/17 Horticultural Science Graduate Student Association Champion
International Festival, 3/31/17 Student Involvement Steward
SailPack Oriental Intercollegiate Regatta, 4/1-2/17 Sailing Club at NC State Steward
19th WRRI Annual Conference , 3/15-16/17 WRRI Champion
Oak City Revolution, 3/25/17 NCSU Ektaa Champion
Recognition Luncheon, 3/6/17 Facilities Division Contributor
Wolfpack Way of Life: NC State Wellness Fair, 2/23/17 University Recreation and University Human Resources Steward
Sisterhood Dinner, 2/27/17 Council on the Status of Women Steward
Run. Dance. Glow. 3/25/17 NC State Inter-Residence Council Champion
Visions for Sports Sustainability and Wellness at NC State, 2/6/17 Wolfpack Environmental Student Association Steward
NileFEST, 3/21/17 NC State LIVE Champion
Make-a-thon, 2/2-2/5/17 Make-a-thon Planning Committee Champion
Krispy Kreme Challenge, 2/4/17 NC State Park Scholars Steward
Stewards Retreat, 1/8/17 NC State Stewards Steward
Sustainability Council Meeting, 1/27/17 NC State Sustainability Council Steward

Event Name Sponsoring Organization Certification Level
COM466 Big Food Night, 12/15/16 COM466 Champion
CEFS Meeting, 12/9/16 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Pig N Pie, 11/12/16 Kappe Delta and Sigma Pi Champion
FoodCon 2016, 11/11/16 NC State Net Impact Champion
Red and White Week, 10/23-29/16 NC State Alumni Association Student Ambassadors Steward
STEAM² Career Expo, 10/18/16 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, and the College of Natural Resources Steward
Farmscale Vermicomposting Workshop , 8/31/16 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
20th Annual Return to Raleigh Picnic, 7/23/16 NC State Alumni Association Steward
National Drive Electric Week Centennial Celebration, 9/16/16 Advanced Energy and University Sustainability Office Steward
Sustainable Transportation Showcase, 9/14/16 University Sustainability Office, Staff Senate, University Recreation, NC Clean Energy Technology Center Steward
SAISA SailPack Women’s Regatta , 9/17-18/16 Sailing Club at NC State / SailPack Foundation Champion
Tough Howler, 10/27/16 University Recreation Champion
WISE EcoVillage Welcome Lunch , 8/11/16 WISE and EcoVillage Living and Learning Communities Champion
Moonlight Howl & Run , 8/15/16 University Recreation and University Dining Champion
Packapalooza, 8/20/16 NC State University Champion
Silent Disco, 8/19/16 Inter-Residence Council Steward
Chillin’ and Grillin’ 8/16/16 Inter-Residence Council and Interfraternity Council Steward
RecFest, 8/14/16 University Recreation Champion
Cover Crop Conference, 7/17-19/16 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Juntos Summer Academy, 6/20-6/24/16 Juntos Steward
Business Services Spring Lunch, 5/24/16 Facilities Operations Business Services Steward
West Campus Last Day of Classes Party, 4/25/16 Tri-Villages Champion
Big Food Night, 4/26/16 COM 466 Class Champion
Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf Life Workshop, 4/4/16 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf Life Workshop, 4/6/16 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Good Agricultural Practices One-Day Workshop: Navigating the USDA GAP Audit , 4/4/16 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Aquaculture Tour for Extension Educators, 4/13/16 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Green Brick Awards, 4/15/16 Sustainability Council and CEST Champion
Earth Fair, 4/13/16 University Sustainability Office Steward
NC Growing Together Apprenticeship Orientation , 5/20/16 Center For Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Farm to Fork , 6/3-5/16 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Southern SARE Cover Crop Conference 2016 , 7/17-19/16 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Dash for Trash, 4/10/16 NC State Students Steward
Service Raleigh, 4/9/16 Service Raleigh Champion
Eta Omicron Cookout , 4/9/16 Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated Champion
Rubbage Ride, 4/9/16 Sustainability Office, Waste Reduction and Recycling, Transportation Office, Grounds Management Champion
WRRI Annual Conference and NCWRA Symposium , 3/17-18/16 Water Resources Research Institute of the UNC System Champion
Shamrock ‘N Score , 3/19/16 Kappa Delta Sorority Champion
Just for Me: Sustainability Edition , 4/21/16 African American Faculty and Staff Organization Champion
Live & Local: Earth Day 2016 , 4/9/16 Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation Champion
Enhancing Farm Profitability Workshop, 2/9/16 Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Champion
Oak City Revolution, 4/2/16 Ektaa Steward
Design Day, 3/14/16 Engineer’s Council Contributor
Make-A-Thon, 2/19-2/21/16 NCSU Libraries, University Housing, Sustainability Office Champion
Enhancing Farm Profitability Workshop, 1/19/16 Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Champion
Sisterhood Dinner, 2/19/16 Council on the Status of Women Champion
Sustainability Town Hall, 1/20/16 Sustainability Council Champion
NC State Stewards Retreat, 1/5/16 NC State Stewards Champion

Event Name Sponsoring Organization Certification Level
Facilities Recognition Luncheon Facilities Division Steward
Pancake Dinner Chi Omega Contributor
Composting Workshop, 10/29/15 Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Champion
Packapalooza, 8/22/15 NC State Champion
NC State Homecoming, 10/25/15-10/31/15 Alumni Association Student Ambassador Program Champion
Harrelson Hall Farewell Tour , 10/30/15 NC State Alumni Association- Wake County Network Steward
Sciences, Sustainability and Environmental Career Fair, 10/20/15 Career Development Center Steward
Altnerative Vehicle Showcase, 10/14/15 Staff Senate, University Recreation, Energy Management, Sustainability Office, Transportation Steward
Sustainability in Teaching Academy, 10/8/15 Office of Faculty Development Steward
Business Sustainability Collaborative Launch, 9/21/15 Poole College Business Sustainability Collaborative Champion
Talley Student Union Tour, 9/18/15 Wake County Alumni Association Contributor
Stand Up That Mountain Panel Discussion, 8/28/15 Poole College Business Sustainability Collaborative Steward
Welcome Lunch, 8/13/15 EcoVillage, WISE Village and West Campus Housing Steward
RecFest, 8/16/15 University Recreation Champion
Environmental Sciences Connections and Fall Social, 8/18/15 Environmental Sciences Academic Program Champion
Business Services Employee Appreciation Cookout, 5/19/15 Facilities Business Services Champion
Southeastern Sustainability Network, 6/15/15-6/17/15 University Sustainability Office Champion
End of Year West Campus Party, 4/24/15 University Housing and EcoVillage Champion
Earth Fair, 4/22/15 University Sustainability Office Champion
Green Brick Awards, 4/17/15 Campus Environmental Sustainability Team Champion
Farm Feast, 4/22/15 University Dining Champion
State Energy Conference, 4/21/15-4/22/15 NC State University and partners Champion
12th Annual On the Dock of the Bay, 5/2/15 Eastern 4-H Center Champion
WESAcat, 4/4/15 Wolfpack Environmental Student Association Champion
East Coast Grounds Managers and Landscape Architect’s Conference, 6/2-6/4/15 Grounds and Fleet Services and Office of University Architect Champion
New Employee Orientation, monthly OnBoarding Center Champion
Krispy Kreme Challenge, 2/14/15 Park Scholars Champion

Event Name Sponsoring Organization Certification Level
Recognition Luncheon, 12/12/14 Facilities Division Contributor
Industry Speaker: Bruno Sarda from Dell, 11/20/14  Poole College of Management Sustainability Initiative Steward
Sustainability in Research Seminar, 12/1/14  Poole College of Management Sustainability Initiative Contributor
Zero Waste Event Planning Workshop, 11/13/14  Poole College of Management Sustainability Initiative Steward
Faculty Workshop: Building Sustainability into Your Courses, 11/10/14  Poole College of Management Sustainability Initiative Steward
Poole College Sustainability Initiative Industry Speaker: Shawn Heath from Duke Energy, 11/4/14  Poole College of Management Sustainability Initiative Steward
Lunch ‘N’ Learn Series Featuring Mark Schmidt, 11/5/14  Poole College of Management Sustainability Initiative and Net Impact Steward
Homecoming, 11/2-8/14 Alumni Association Student Ambassador Program Champion
Halloween Potluck, 10/30/14 SOUL Garden, WESA and Slow Foods Champion
NC State Brewery Tour, 10/23/14 NC State Alumni Association: Young Alumni Steward
NC State More Than Money Careers Workshop, 10/22/14 Poole College of Management Sustainability Initiative Contributor
STS 323Q Hunger Banquet 12/2/14  FYC/Crop Science/Sustainability Office Champion
Repair and Renovation Chili Cook Off, 10/10/14 Repair and Renovation Steward
CEFS Lecture and Reception, 10/18/14 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
CEFS Soilbration, 10/17/14 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
CEFS Board Meeting, 10/16 and 10/18/14 Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Tri-Towers Energy Challenge Kickoff, 9/30/14 NC State Stewards Steward
Center for Geospatial Analytics Forum, weekly event NC State Center for Geospatial Analytics Champion
Alternative Vehicle Showcase, 10/15/14 Staff Senate, University Sustainability Office, Energy Management Champion
Fall Student Social, 8/26/14 Environmental Sciences Program Champion
Poole College Green Event Planning Workshop, 7/24/14 Poole College of Management Sustainability Initiative Steward
West Campus End of Year Picnic, 4/23/14 West Campus Housing and Villages Contributor
Earth Day Stressbuster, 4/23/14 NC State Earth Month Planning Committee Steward
Earth Fair, 4/9/14 NC State Earth Month Planning Committee Champion
Community Forest Stewardship Workshop, 4/2/14 NCSU Forestry and Environmental Outreach Program Contributor
Repair & Renovation Services Quarterly Luncheon, 5/2/14 Repair & Renovation Services Steward
Center for Environmental Farming Systems Reception, 3/18/14  CEFS Champion
Open House, 3/29/14 College of Veterinary Medicine Steward
Center for Environmental Farming Systems Board Meeting, 2/11/14 CEFS Steward
Center for Environmental Farming Systems Reception, 2/12/14 CEFS Champion
Krispy Kreme Challenge, 2/8/14 Park Scholars Champion

Event Name Sponsoring Organization Certification Level
NC Exports Wood Conference, 11/13-15/13 NCSU Forestry & Environmental Outreach Program Steward
Recognition Luncheon, 12/13/13 NC State Facilities Division Steward
Homecoming, 10/27/13-11/2/13 NC State Alumni Association Student Ambassadors Champion
Repair & Renovation Services Quarterly Luncheon, 10/25/13 Repair & Renovation Services Steward
Building Liaison Briefings, 10/28/13 and 10/30/13 Facilities Division Contributor
Campout, 10/18/13 Student Government Steward
Alternative Vehicle Showcase, 10/2/13 Staff Senate, University Sustainability Office, Energy Management Steward
Latinos Beyond the Reel Movie and Discussion Panel, 9/18/13 Diversity Commission Student Government Contributor
Fall Potluck Social, 9/17/13 Environmental Sciences Academic Program Steward
Farm to Fork Picnic, 6/9/13  Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Repair & Renovation Quarterly Luncheon, 5/17/13  Repair & Renovation Steward
UGSA Spring Picnic, 5/5/13  University Graduate Student Association Champion
PackFest, 4/20/13  Union Activities Board Champion
Farm Feast, 4/18/13  University Dining Champion
Earth Day Celebration, 4/17/13  University Sustainability Office Champion
Grow Your Wellness, 4/16/13  Student Health and University Recreation Steward
Taste of NC State, 4/5/13  Union Activities Board Steward
Krispy Kreme Challenge, 2/9/13  K2 Challenge Champion

Event Name Sponsoring Organization Certification Level
Facilities Ladies Luncheon, 12/19/12  Facilities Division Steward
Annual Recognition Luncheon, 12/19/12  Facilities Division Steward
Student Health Center Holiday Lucheon, 12/18/12  Staff Enrichment — Student Health Steward
CNR Holiday Reception, 12/11/12  College of Natural Resources Champion
Cates Utility Plant Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, 11/14/12  Facilities Division Steward
Sustainability in Agriculture Bayer Executive Course, 11/12-14/2012 CALS Office of Sustainability Champion
9th Biennial Longleaf Alliance Conference, 10/22-10/26/12 Forestry & Environmental Outreach Program Steward
Farm to Fork Reception  Agroecology Education Farm Champion
Campus Sustainability Day 2012  University Sustainability Office Champion
Council on Forest Engineering Annual Meeting  Council on Forest Engineering Steward
CVM Graduate Student Welcome Reception  College of Veterinary Medicine Steward
Green Meeting/Events Workshop  University Sustainability Office Champion
RecFest 2012  University Recreation Champion
Packapalooza – Hospitality Tent Champion
 CEFS Board Meeting  Center for Environmental Farming Systems  Steward
 Bearcat Beatdown  NC State Athletics  Steward
Facilities Operations Unit/Departmental Goal Retreat  Facilities Operations Steward
Sustainability Interchange Steward
Campus Sustainability Day  University Sustainability Office Champion
Facilities Division Recognition Luncheon  Facilities Division Steward
CEFS Board Meeting  Center for Environmental Farming Systems Steward
Stihl Timbersports Competition College of Natural Resources’ Forestry & Environmental Outreach Program Champion
CEFS Field Day  Center for Environmental Farming Systems Champion
Farm to Fork Picnic  Center for Environmental Farming Systems  Champion
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Showcase  Staff Senate Steward
Field Day on Centennial Campus  University Recreation Champion
NC State Earth Day Celebration on the Brickyard  University Sustainability Office Champion
NC State Earth Day Concert   University Sustainability Office Champion
Change Your State Challenge Stress Buster  University Sustainability Office Steward
Green Brick Awards Ice Cream Social  Campus Environmental Sustainability Team Champion
Evolving Textiles: Competition. Innovation. Transformation.  College of Textiles Steward