Green Event Planning Guide
A practical guide to planning sustainable events of all sizes at East Tennessee State University.
Any event can be a green event! Green event practices include implementing recycling and minimizing waste, reusing or purchasing environmentally friendly supplies, and using sustainable transportation practices. Greening your event makes it more unique, memorable, efficient, and ecologically-friendly.
Green Event Guidelines
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Purchase sustainable food and beverages.
- Prioritize plant-based food and protein options (e.g., tofu, beans/lentils, etc.) that are local and/or sustainably produced.
- Serve beverages in coolers or large pitchers instead of single use bottles.
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Encourage proper recycling.
- Have recycling bins in your event location and clearly label and group together recycling and trash bins to limit confusion
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Be sustainable in event marketing, communications and materials.
- Publicize your event electronically through email and social media. When signage is necessary, use certified sustainable and/or high-recycled-content paper.
- Encourage presenters to use electronic platforms (e.g., PowerPoint) instead of handouts.
- Reclaim nametag holders at the end of the event for reuse.
- Utilize social media for sharing information.
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Encourage sustainable transportation options.
- Ensure the venue you’re using is accessible by foot, skateboard, scooter, bicycle, campus bus, or public transit.
- If you are hosting an on campus event, choose a convenient location and encourage participants to choose sustainable transportation by informing them about options like carpooling or public transportation.
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Minimize waste and packaging.
- Ask attendees to RSVP to help inform the amount of food ordered/buying materials; err on the side of ordering less rather than more.
- Avoid single-use disposable food service items.
- Reuse items and purchase recycled content/low impact products.