This document outlines recommendations for making Colgate University's commencement ceremonies more sustainable. It discusses performing waste audits of current practices and replacing disposable items with recyclable or compostable alternatives. Interviews with peer institutions found 1 in 3 have implemented sustainable practices like consolidated mailings, mobile programs, and reusable diningware. The recommendations propose a phased approach starting in 2014 and achieving near zero-waste by 2019 through practices like recycled robes, reduced printing, and resource recovery stations.

1. Zero-Waste Colgate
Commencement
Sarah Cochran, Carly Keller
& Sarah Vondracek

2. Research Question
Original
What steps could be taken to improve the
ecological, economic, and social aspects of a
sustainable Colgate commencement?
Narrowed/Final
How can current waste at Colgate
commencement be improved by
sustainable practices at events hosted by
the University?

3. What is Sustainability?
•Economic
Cost-Benefit Analysis
•Ecological
Environmental Impact
•Social
Traditions
Local Resources
Community Involvement

4. Waste
A resource that is not safely recycled back
into the environment or the marketplace

5. Defining 'Near' Zero-Waste
• Technical specification of zero
• Decrease level of waste each year
• Reduce as much as possible
o Reduce
o Reuse
o Recycle
o Compost

6. Peer Institution Interviews
o What sustainable practices have you
implemented for commencement?
o Success of these new practices and the
reception of the changes by students, faculty,
and parents?
On-campus Interviews
o Cost of current resources?
o Cost of sustainable alternatives?
o Quantity of resources used onsite during
commencement?
Methodology

7. 1 in 3 Peer I Institutions have sustainable
commencement practices

8. Mailings & Tickets
• Letter from Senior Class
President & Informational
Packet*
• Official Schedule &
Additional Information*
• Invitations
• Tickets*
*Printed at Document Services
Recommendations:
• Recycled Paper
• Single Mailing with
Increased Communication

9. Saturday Ceremonies
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Baccalaureate
• Catholic Mass
• A Cappella Concerts

10. Torchlight Ceremony

11. Commencement Ceremony
• 144 bottles of water under faculty chairs
• Program on each chair, plus additional
• Cap and gowns given to students
Recommendations
• Resource Recovery Station
• Mobile App & limited programs
• Recycled material caps and gowns and
rental program

12. Lunch Reception
• Grab & go buffet
• Est. 4500 in attendance
Item Sandwiches Fruit Drinks Chipwiches
Quantity 3,540 1,400 4,512 4,350
Recommendations
• Resource Recovery Station
• Water Truck/Igloos
• Compostable dinnerware & packaging

13. Timeline for Change
2013: Make zero-waste recommendations to
commencement committee
2014: First changes to commencement (ex.
recycled robes and reduced mailings
through increased website use)
2016:Expand Scope (transportationoffsets
available)
2019: Near zero-waste commencement to
coincide with becoming carbon neutral

14. Acknowledgements
Chris Henke Alistair Hall, Vassar
John Pumilio Jack Byrne, Middlebury
George Murray Jen Kleindienst, Wesleyan
Pamela Rowe Amy Johns, Williams
Mike Jasper Bridget Flynn, Oberlin
Scott Brown Brian Hansen, Hamilton
Michele Carney
John Nelson

15. References
Photos courtesy of Colgate University, Sierra
Club, Phi Beta Kappa, Oberlin
College, Williams College, Vassar
College, Wesleyan University, Middlebury
College, Yada Drop
Data from Dining Services, Michele
Carney, Facilities
QUESTIONS?