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Multicultural Affairs
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, MI 49931-1295
Phone: (906) 487-3539
Copyright ©
2004-2009
Michigan Technological University
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Last Updated:
January 22, 2009
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Educating Attendees
- Pre-Event Information. Let attendees know in advance (either by e-mails
or in event confirmation materials) about general recycling programs that will be in
place and how they can participate. If providing the “bed linen/towel changing” cards
to the hotel, let attendees know they should be receiving them at check-in.
- Program Book. Include details of the onsite recycling/waste prevention
program, including: what materials will be recycled and where recycling bins are located;
what behind -the-scenes recycling is taking place at the convention center, hotels, off-site
facilities, etc.; notice of any special deals that onsite concessionaires are offering that
promote waste prevention; other waste prevention measures taken (e.g. reusing names badges and
signage, mug program, confirmation materials on the web, etc.). Information should start with an
introduction about why the program is in place.
- Event Newsletters. Include information in onsite newsletters. For a
three-day event, include information on the programs that are in place on the first day,
reminder information on the second day, and “before you leave” information (e.g. drop off
name badges) on the third day.
- Opening General Session. Include details of the onsite recycling/waste
prevention program at general sessions and let attendees know how they can participate in
the program.
- Concurrent Sessions. Have moderator make reminder announcements at
concurrent sessions.
- Booth in the Exposition Hall. Include a display or other information at
your booth to explain your “Green Meeting” efforts.
- Off-Property Events. Make announcements at event or have Recycling
Advisors instruct attendees on recycling at off property events.
- Encouraging/Rewarding Attendees. Provide attendees seen properly
recycling with “I was caught green handed” buttons, pins, etc. to help provide an incentive and
reminder for attendees to recycle and prevent waste. Have enough buttons/pins for all attendees,
as the goal is that all attendees will have one by the end of the event.
Recycling Advisors
Designate volunteers to serve as recycling advisors and identify them with special badges,
shirts or ribbons. Recycling advisors will help identify recycling areas to attendees and encourage
attendees to recycle.
- Events to be Staffed by Recycling Advisors: Evening receptions, hallways
outside of general and concurrent session rooms (at close of sessions), during open Exhibit hall
times (especially during any events in the exhibit hall (receptions, lunches, etc.).
- Exposition Hall
- Have 8-12 recycling advisors/volunteers to work with exhibitors.
- Have volunteers personally deliver procedures and maps for recycling in the
exhibit hall to each exhibitor.
- Have volunteers empty individual exhibitor recycling bins each evening
(or at the close of the hall each night) if bins are provided.
- Have volunteers at close of exhibit hall checkout exhibitors and help them
recycle any materials not being sent back. Need 6-10 volunteers assigned to specific
exhibitors/rows. Need 2-3 for check-out.
Some Additional Considerations
- Announce goals of the event and ask attendees help to achieve them
- Post signs throughout your event recognizing sustainable aspects
- Note extra steps the planning committee took to plan the event (purchased reusable mugs, etc.)
- Give certificates of appreciation to those who have shown sustainability efforts
- Post what was sustainable at the conference so attendees can reference the information
BIODEGRADABLE UTENSILS AND PLATES
Packaging accounts for 33% of our garbage, accumulating to over 64 million
tons.
As Americans, we discard about 4 pounds of garbage each week. Just imagine if
everyone focused on reducing waste, even by just a little bit.
For this conference, all utensils and plates are made from biodegradable
products, such as cornstarch, that will decompose in less than a year. |
ORGANIC FOOD
There are two chief reasons why it is so difficult to link
human harm
conclusively to toxic chemicals.
- Most safety tests done for regulatory agencies are not designed to discover whether
the low-dose exposures to pesticide and chemical mixtures that we all experience are safe,
particularly during critical periods of development.
- Since people are contaminated with trace levels of hundreds of chemicals,
it is generally impossible to attribute a specific health effect to any one of them.
Source: www.foodnews.com
For this event we are serving _____% organic, down to the milk in your coffee! |
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
12 Foods with the HIGHEST LEVELS of pesticides:
- apples
- bell peppers
- celery
- cherries
- grapes
- nectarines
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- peaches
- pears
- potatoes
- red raspberries
- spinach
- strawberries
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12 Foods with the LOWEST LEVELS of pesticides:
- asparagus
- avocados
- bananas
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- corn (sweet)
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- kiwi
- mangos
- onions
- papaya
- pineapples
- peas (sweet)
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Source: www.foodnews.com
For this event, we purchased only organic, pesticide-free produce.
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PAPER
The U.S. uses 100 million tons of paper a year--and the number is increasing
Recycled paper uses 55% less water and helps preserve our forests
Source: www.treecycle.com
For this event, we used only 100% recycled paper and posted all
publications on our website.
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PAPER
The paper industry is one of the largest water polluters in the world
Recycled paper produces 35% less water pollutants, 74% air pollutants,
and eliminates the need for many toxic pollutants.
Source:
www.treecycle.com
For this event, we used 100% recycled paper with renewable inks.
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CARBON EMISSIONS
The average domestic airline traveler flies about 160 miles,
which produces
about 1,700 pounds of greenhouse gases.
Source: www.betterworldclub.org
For this event, we purchased offsets for every carbon ton emitted during travel to this
conference. These offsets were invested into renewable energy projects like biomass and wind energy.
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COFFEE
A decade ago, coffee-producing countries received about a third of every dollar
spent on coffee. Now, they see less than a dime. Farmers and their families are going hungry, children are
leaving school, and many farmers have lost their land.
Fair trade guarantees farmers stable, fair prices, allowing them to avoid the
pitfalls of the fluctuating world market.
Source: www.newdream.org
For this event, we purchased 100% fair-trade coffee,
helping to ensure sustainability and community development in coffee-producing countries.
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RECYCLING
Recycling reduces the…
…need for new waste disposal facilities
…danger of environmental impacts from leaching & methane production
…need for land conversion for waste disposal
…need to reclaim land that has been used for waste disposal
…need for raw materials
Source: Government South Australia (August 2 2006).
www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/factsheets.php
At this event, recycling bins are provided next to each trash
can.
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RECYCLING METAL
From cans to cars, all steel can be recycled. Using scrap steel to
make new steel is much more energy efficient than mining iron ore and then smelting it in a blast
furnace. Scrap steel from tins, lids and aerosol cans are recycled into all sorts of other steel
products such as car parts and back into tin cans.
Source: Source: Government South Australia (August 2 2006).
www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/factsheets.php
At this event, recycling bins are provided next to each trash
can.
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References:
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If you have general questions or comments, contact:
Shalini Suryanarayana
(shalini@mtu.edu) and please put
"ESC Question/Comment" in the subject line.
If you have any questions on the recycling program at Michigan Tech:
recyclinginfo-l@mtu.edu
General Information: shalini@mtu.edu
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