Planning a meeting or event can be challenging. Look for ways to show your commitment to a better way of doing business through “green practices”. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Rather than sending paper invitations, send E-mail and/or set up a website. If you must use paper invitations, print them on recycled content paper.
• Make a friendly announcement at the beginning of the program announcing all efforts to go Green and instructing attendees which items are recyclable and what bin each item should go in.
• Double side all copies or offer any information and materials to those that request it via E-mail, DVD, or jump drive.
• Provide recycling bins for paper, cans, and plastic in meeting rooms.
• Do not use Styrofoam.
• Provide wooden coffee stirrers.
• Use reusable name tags and provide a place to return them at the end of the event.
• Offer beverages in containers that are reusable and serve water or other drinks in pitchers.
• Include vegetarian meals, and have meals planned using local, seasonal produce.
• Use china and linens to prevent waste; or use paper plates, napkins, cups, and utensils that are biodegradable or made from recycled material.
• Instead of a buffet, offer plated entrees; this reduces the amount of wasted food.
• Donate un-served food to a local food bank.
• Offer snacks in bulk and not individually wrapped.
• Serve food and snacks that require minimal serving containers.
• Instead of individual packages of condiments (sugar, ketchup, cream, mustard, etc.), use a refillable pump condiment dispenser or recyclable containers.
• Opt-out of offering straws.
• Coordinate with the event venue to ensure that energy for lights and air conditioning will be turned off when rooms are not in use.
• Purchase carbon offsets for attendees traveling to/from a conference or event.

Additional Resources

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/greenmeetings/pubs/current_init.htm

http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/meet/greenmeetings.htm

http://www.greenmeetings.info/

http://www.meetgreen.com/

http://www.bluegreenmeetings.org/HostsAndPlanners/index.htm