1. Sustainability Town Hall 2013
Steps Toward a MoreSteps Toward a More
Sustainable EventSustainable Event
Compiled by Andrea Norris, OSU Campus Recycling
Andrea.Norris@oregonstate.edu or (541) 737-5398

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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 alloffset all
electricity usedelectricity used (560 kWh)
and will avoid 1,248 lbs of CO2,
which is equivalent to
not driving 1,265 miles1,265 miles or
planting 15 trees15 trees.

5. 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

6. A Model Sustainable Event
Food Steps
• Menu from Valley Catering featured many
Local 6 foods (from the counties touching
and including Benton Co.).
– CheeseCheese from Full Circle Creamery, Scio
– CrackersCrackers from Oregon Cracker, Corvallis
– FlourFlour from Lonesome Whistle Farm, Eugene
– FruitFruit from Stahlbush Island Farms, Corvallis
– HummusHummus from De Casa, Eugene
– PotatoesPotatoes from Oven and Earth, Philomath
– SalsaSalsa from De Casa, Eugene
– Tofu PateTofu Pate from Toby’s Tofu, Eugene
– Tortillas and ChipsTortillas and Chips from Carmen’s, Eugene
– VegetablesVegetables from Stahlbush Island Farms, Corvallis
– Wild RiceWild Rice from Oregon Jewel, Brownsville

7. 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

8. A Model Sustainable Event
Transportation Steps
• Marketing materials
promoted alternative
transportation
• Surveys used to
determine modes of
transportation used
by attendees

9. A Model Sustainable Event
Social Sustainability
• Marketing posters were
made in English and SpanishEnglish and Spanish
• Educational signagesignage posted
so attendees learned how to
duplicate efforts

10. A Model Sustainable Event
Economic Sustainability
• Purchased and promoted locallocal
foodfood and serving wareserving ware
• Provided a venue to promote
local businesseslocal businesses and
organizations
• Local author and keynote
speaker Rob Dietz spoke about
his book, “Enough Is Enough”

11. Model Sustainable Events
Other Resources
• OSU Green Event Guide
– recycle.oregonstate.edu
– Resources > Signage and Documents
• Other local organizations
and events?

12. 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?