ZerØ Waste

How can I make my event 'zero waste'?

In all parts of event planning there are opportunities to make more environmentally conscious decisions that will reduce; consumption, natural resources, greenhouse gas emisssions, and toxic by-products. By holding zero waste events we help minimize Ohio U's ecological footprint and educate our community about the need to reduce waste. Here's how to make your event 'zero waste':

   Venue
   Hold your event outside
   Use natural lighting inside
   Adjust thermostat temperature or open windows
   Use cloth napkins & table cloths
   Use sustainable centerpieces

    Advertising
   Go paperless for your event
   Set up an online registration site
   Limit handouts & minimize size

   Food
   Serve finger foods
   Serve in bulk
   Use reusable serviceware
   Use compostable serviceware
   Use food grown locally
   Use organic food
                                               
Preparation
Reuse items such as name tags
Reuse bags when purchasing items for event
Use Ohio University's Green Purchasing website
Serve recyclable or compostable products
Avoid plastic, styrofoam & other nonrecyclable goods

Education
Let attendees know that this is "zero waste event" and how to sort their waste

Waste
Request recycling & compost bins to be present
Collect name tags
Coordinate with charities to donate left over food
Provide "to-go" containers for guests

Want to use reusable serviceware?

• Baker Catering can provide reusable serviceware at no cost for events catered by the Baker Center.
• For other events, Athens' own local serviceware provider, Hokhokken Enterprizes can help. Contact John Knouse at 740-707-9060.

Any student organization, charitable organization or Ohio University department may also purchase biodegradable serviceware from the Central Food Facility warehouse. Payment must be made with an organization check or OU account number. Prices for utensils are as follows:
Bio Forks packed 1000 per case for $50.46
Bio Spoons packed 1000 per case for $49.67
Bio Knife packed 1000 per case for $49.74

Questions about the ordering biodegradable products on campus? Please contact Melanie Glassmire, 593-2975 or glassmir@ohio.edu or Charlene King at 593-2976.

If you or your organization cannot do a 100% zero waste event, you can still choose to minimize your environmental impact by utilizing some environmentally friendly conscious options. Options include making sure that you have recycle bins present is (drop-off and pick-up courtesy of Campus Recycling & Refuse), choosing purchasing paper products made from recycled materials or purchasing biodegradable serviceware. To request recycle bins and/or compost bins please submit a work request at https://www.facilities.ohiou.edu/requests/login.php

Looking for additional tips?
Check out the Environmental Protection Agency's guide, "Greening Your Meetings and Conferences".

Zero Waste Events on Campus                     
  • Honors Tutorial College
  • Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs
  • Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference 2008
  • Ohio Unplugged
  • Ohio Climate and Energy Workshop
  • ResChallenge Awards Ceremony
  • Earth Week 2008
  • Ecohouse events

  Waste @ Ohio University
  Every month, Ohio University generates about 400 tons of 
  landfill waste, up to 14 tons per day. Disposal of landfill
  waste costs roughly $25,000 per month. While Ohio U has
  over 16,000 recycling bins spread across campus, waste  
  audits have revealed that as much as 75% of all the items in
  our dumpsters is actually recyclable or compostable. The
  opening of the new Baker University Center on January 2,
  2007 has increased the solid waste produced by our campus
significantly; the dining areas in this facility alone are serving 2,500 meals per day on average.  Food audits at Jefferson dining hall have revealed that about 5 ounces of food per person are thrown away. A new in-vessel composting system, going on-line fall 2008, will help divert compostable waste that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. See below for more details on what the Office of Sustainability is doing to reduce waste on campus.

    Ohio U Initiatives
    Composting Initiative                                        
    Food Waste Audit
    Adopt-A-Game
    Green Purchasing
    Think Outside the Bottle Campaign
    Zero Waste Events
    Recycling & Refuse
    Trash Dance                                             

Sustainability Coordinator Sonia Marcus
explains the food audit process to a student.
  
Zero Waste & the Presidents Climate Commitment   
In March, 2007 President Roderick McDavis signed the presidents climate commitment pledging Ohio University to climate neutrality. Within the first year of signing the commitment, Ohio University
must generate an inventory of all greenhouse gases emitted. Solid waste is one of the seven main sections in the greenhouse gas emissions calculator. Audits have revealed that 75% of items in dumpsters going to the landfills are either recycable or compostable.  As items in landfills decompose methane, the most potent greenhouse gas, is released. Ohio University can reduce
the emissions of greenhouse gas emissions by simply diverting
waste from the Athens-Hocking landfill by 1) reducing consumption, 2) reusing items, and 3) keeping recyclables out of the waste stream by recycling.

What is ZerØ Waste?
Zero waste literally means generating zero waste in the entire lifecycle of a product. Instead of following a "cradle to grave" lifecycle ending in a landfill, zero waste is a circular system that mimics nature, where waste is used as a resource; a "cradle to cradle" lifecycle. A zero waste philosophy strives to reduce overall consumption, the burden on natural resources and toxic products and by products.  It is about making lifestyle choices that create a sustainable world free of waste.  There are many ways to reduce the amount of waste produced in every step of a product's lifecycle; from extraction to production and consumption. See below for ways to reduce waste in the life cycle of products.

Upstream
    • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
    • Consumer Education/Action
    • Distribution (retail, wholesale, shipping)
    • Clean Production/ Toxics Reduction
    • Design for Environment- demand design for perpetual reuse
    • Shifting subsidies from waste
    • Change rules

Downstream
    • Reuse/Repair
    • Recycle
    • Compost

  Source: College and University Recycling Council Webinar 7/15/08 Pete Pasterz

Contact the Office of Sustainability and find out about great ways to plan a zero waste event. Please contact Sonia Marcus, Sustainability Coordinator at marcuss@ohio.edu or 593-0460.

The Office of Sustainability 593-0460 www.ohio.edu/sustainability
Campus Recycling & Refuse 593-0231 www.ohio.edu/recycle