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Litter Free Green Event Planning Guide Ø Commit to holding a Litter Free Green Event at the beginning of the event planning process Ø Create a Green Team to develop and implement an action plan based on the principles of Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and then Recycle Ø Promote your event as “Litter Free and Green;” tell your sponsors about your goals and ask for their assistance in meeting them Ø Make announcements throughout the event asking people not to litter and to use the waste/recycling containers provided; have ‘Green Displays’ at the event Reduce/Divert Waste – Prevent Litter Ø Send out invitations/registration packages and promotion electronically where possible; use post consumer recycled paper for written material Ø Download presentations and handouts onto CD’s or Zip Drives to save photocopying Ø Suggest participants bring their own paper and pens; collect reusable name tags at the end of the event for reuse Ø Use reusable bags for promotional material and giveaways that are environmentally friendly Ø Ensure there is a recycling container beside every garbage container on the site. Recycling containers should clearly identify acceptable materials. (e.g. pop cans and plastic 1 &2 bottles) Ø Call Recool Canada (577-0411) to book the Portable Recycling Trailer and individual recycling containers if they are not available at the event site (call early-containers are limited) Ø Encourage the use of washable dishes to reduce disposables. Ensure that dishwashing facilities are available and meet the requirements of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (call 625-5926 or 625-5930). Set up a collection of food scraps (fruit, vegetables, coffee grounds, NO dairy, meat, fat) with each food vendor and in food prep areas. Five gallon food-grade buckets work well. Arrange with local farmers to pick up the material and take it away for composting. Ø Encourage food vendors to use large containers for beverages, condiments, and other food instead of individual packets, cans or bottles. Promote the purchase of locally sourced food and materials. Serve fair trade coffee. Ø Track your successes; keep a record of the quantity of waste reduced and diverted and publicize it. Save Energy and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Ø Choose naturally lighted meeting rooms to save energy Ø Check with City Transit to see if bus service is available. (684-3744) Encourage participants to choose lodgings close to the site and to carpool and use public transportation and shuttle service. Publicize transit options and schedules in outreach material. Ø Organizers and participants can offset event CO2 emissions by sponsoring a tree(s) through the Thunder Bay Tree Stewardship Program. http://www.treestewardship.com Ø Recognize those who “walk the talk” and reward them with certificates and/or gifts such as refillable mugs, reusable bags, water bottles, or packets of organic seeds. Ø Information about recycling requirements is available on the City of A Litter Free Green Event protects the environment, conserves resources and promotes local jobs and economic self-sufficiency. For information about Zero Waste and the ZWATeam go to www.zwat.org Litter Free Green Event Planning Guide Ø Commit to holding a Litter Free Green Event at the beginning of the event planning process Ø Create a Green Team to develop and implement an action plan based on the principles of Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and then Recycle Ø Promote your event as “Litter Free and Green;” tell your sponsors about your goals and ask for their assistance in meeting them Ø Make announcements throughout the event asking people not to litter and to use the waste/recycling containers provided; have ‘Green Displays’ at the event Reduce/Divert Waste – Prevent Litter Ø Send out invitations/registration packages and promotion electronically where possible; use post consumer recycled paper for written material Ø Download presentations and handouts onto CD’s or Zip Drives to save photocopying Ø Suggest participants bring their own paper and pens; collect reusable name tags at the end of the event for reuse Ø Use reusable bags for promotional material and giveaways that are environmentally friendly Ø Ensure there is a recycling container beside every garbage container on the site. Recycling containers should clearly identify acceptable materials. (e.g. pop cans and plastic 1 &2 bottles) Ø Call Recool Canada (577-0411) to book the Portable Recycling Trailer and individual recycling containers if they are not available at the event site (call early-containers are limited) Ø Encourage the use of washable dishes to reduce disposables. Ensure that dishwashing facilities are available and meet the requirements of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (call 625-5926 or 625-5930). Set up a collection of food scraps (fruit, vegetables, coffee grounds, NO dairy, meat, fat) with each food vendor and in food prep areas. Five gallon food-grade buckets work well. Arrange with local farmers to pick up the material and take it away for composting. Ø Encourage food vendors to use large containers for beverages, condiments, and other food instead of individual packets, cans or bottles. Promote the purchase of locally sourced food and materials. Serve fair trade coffee. Ø Track your successes; keep a record of the quantity of waste reduced and diverted and publicize it. Save Energy and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Ø Choose naturally lighted meeting rooms to save energy Ø Check with City Transit to see if bus service is available. (684-3744) Encourage participants to choose lodgings close to the site and to carpool and use public transportation and shuttle service. Publicize transit options and schedules in outreach material. Ø Organizers and participants can offset event CO2 emissions by sponsoring a tree(s) through the Thunder Bay Tree Stewardship Program. http://www.treestewardship.com Ø Recognize those who “walk the talk” and reward them with certificates and/or gifts such as refillable mugs, reusable bags, water bottles, or packets of organic seeds. Ø Information about recycling requirements is available on the City of
A Litter Free Green Event protects the environment, conserves resources