Event Type Overview:

Number of Attendees: 30-50

Types of Activities: Potluck/barbeque, information tables, games and other activities

Ways to Go Green:

• Provide recycling bins for cans, bottles, and other recyclables that may be produced at your event.

• Put out containers for food waste recycling. This is a great option if you have curbside pick-up of food waste/non-recyclable paper. If you do not have this option, ask ahead of time for neighborhood volunteers who are willing to compost food waste from your event in their backyard compost bins. (Note: composting meat and dairy products in backyard bins is not recommended.)

• Ask event attendees to bring their own reusable plates, napkins and utensils from home. As an alternative, consider using compostable paper plates and ask for neighborhood volunteers who are willing to compost them in their backyard compost bins. (Note: this may require extra water because of the high paper content.)

• Only serve beverages in reusable or recyclable containers. If you do not have enough reusable cups, ask attendees to bring a reusable cup from home.

• When possible, email information about your event to attendees to cut down on paper use. If that is not an option, print all event flyers double-sided or shorten to two flyers per page on a minimum of 30% post-consumer content recycled paper. Most copy stores provide a selection of recycled paper.

• Encourage attendees to use local food for potluck items, such as from a farmer's market or even their own backyard garden. If food for your event is being provided by an outside source, talk to them about how they can incorporate local food into the menu and reduce wasteful packaging.

• Use decorations that can be reused in future years, and limit or don't use balloons. If you are printing banners or other signs, making sure they are recycled at the end of the day.  Also consider using a reusable banner, and not including the event year on so they may be used again. 

• Provide condiments in bulk instead of individually wrapped servings. For example, provide bottles of ketchup instead of individual packets. Buy other products in bulk whenever possible.

• Provide an information table with greening resources for attendees, such as information on native plants, rain gardens, and purchasing save energy and money from your utility company.
• Provide information for attendees on efforts your event has made to go green and how they can help.