TIPS for "Greening" your next meeting or event

For your next meeting or event, consider taking one or two of the steps below to reduce waste before, during and after the event.

Before the Event:

• Reduce paper waste by: Posting event details online, allowing for online registration for the event and responding to attendees via email.
• Encourage event attendees to carpool or take the bus to the event.
• Encourage attendees to bring reusable mugs with them and to take them home after the event.
• Encourage speakers to limit handouts and provide attendees material electronically upon request.
• When handouts are necessary, always print double-sided and on paper with high post-consumer recycled content.
• Do not print on neon or deeply-dyed paper, which cannot be recycled.
• Ask food vendors to minimize packaging.
• Order bulk food items and finger foods (e.g. large serving trays with serving utensils and fruit), rather than individually packaged/wrapped lunch boxes and products.  If serving boxed lunches, request materials that can be recycled.

During the Event:

• Bring pitchers to serve water, rather than ordering bottled water products.
• Use reusable plates, napkins and glasses when possible.
• All paper products should be made with high, post-consumer recycled content.
• All non-reusable items should be biodegradable or recyclable.
• Eco-cycle offers a zero waste kit, which includes compostable flatware, glasses and napkins and items needed for disposal.  Go to Ecocycle's website for more information.

After the Event:

• Properly dispose of all waste created from the event, disposing only those items that cannot be reused or recycled.
• Use low or non-toxic cleaning supplies.
• Use reusable towels or paper towels with high, post-consumer recycled content for cleaning.

Thank you for doing your part to help green BVSD!