Sustainability Town Hall 2013

Steps Toward a More Steps Toward a More Sustainable EventSustainable Event

Compiled by Andrea Norris, OSU Campus RecyclingAndrea.Norris@oregonstate.edu or (541) 737-5398

A Model Sustainable Event

Waste Steps• OSU Campus Recycling provided five recycling stations; local

boy scout troop #163 volunteered to staff bins, helping attendees sort

• All trash cans removed from building (except in restrooms) • Bathroom paper towels collected for composting• Collected reusable paper during clean-up

A Model Sustainable Event

Waste Steps• Everything served by

Valley Catering was compostable

• Exhibitors and attendees were asked to avoid bringing or distributing non-recyclable items

• Borrowed nametag holders from OSU University Events and returned for reuse

A Model Sustainable Event

Energy Steps• OSU Sustainability Office controlled lighting levels during the

event to conserve energy • Offsets provided by Pacific Power Blue Sky offset all offset all

electricity usedelectricity used (560 kWh) and will avoid 1,248 lbs of CO2, which is equivalent to not driving 1,265 miles 1,265 miles or planting 15 trees15 trees.

A Model Sustainable Event

Water Steps• Bathroom faucet flow

rates labeled so attendees could choose by efficiency

• Restrooms had only low flow toilets and urinals, and were labeled as such

A Model Sustainable Event

Food Steps• Menu from Valley Catering featured many

Local 6 foods (from the counties touching and including Benton Co.).– Cheese Cheese from Full Circle Creamery, Scio– Crackers Crackers from Oregon Cracker, Corvallis– Flour Flour from Lonesome Whistle Farm, Eugene– Fruit Fruit from Stahlbush Island Farms, Corvallis– Hummus Hummus from De Casa, Eugene– Potatoes Potatoes from Oven and Earth, Philomath– Salsa Salsa from De Casa, Eugene– Tofu Pate Tofu Pate from Toby’s Tofu, Eugene– Tortillas and ChipsTortillas and Chips from Carmen’s, Eugene– Vegetables Vegetables from Stahlbush Island Farms, Corvallis– Wild Rice Wild Rice from Oregon Jewel, Brownsville

A Model Sustainable Event

Food Steps• Compostable serving ware from EcNow Tech • Municipal tap water provided for beverage service

(vs. bottled or shipped water)• Signage used to identify local foods

A Model Sustainable Event

Transportation Steps• Marketing materials

promoted alternative transportation

• Surveys used to determine modes of transportation used by attendees

A Model Sustainable Event

Social Sustainability• Marketing posters were made

in English and Spanish English and Spanish

• Educational signagesignage posted so attendees learned how to duplicate efforts

A Model Sustainable Event

Economic Sustainability• Purchased and promoted local local

food food and serving ware serving ware • Provided a venue to promote

local businesses local businesses and organizations

• Local author and keynote speaker Rob Dietz spoke about his book, “Enough Is Enough”

Model Sustainable Events

Other Resources• OSU Green Event Guide

– recycle.oregonstate.edu– Resources > Signage and Documents

• Other local organizations and events?

Model Sustainable Events

Your Turn!

Questions? Contact Andrea Norris, OSU Campus Recycling:Andrea.Norris@oregonstate.edu or (541) 737-5398

• What are you working on?• What have you seen others accomplish?