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Green Gatherings

GreenGatherings Kick-off Meeting

Event Overview
Location (City/Venue): 
St. Paul/Science Museum of MN
Number of Attendees: 
92
Organization Hosting Event: 
Ramsey County
Brief Background on Event: 

GreenGatherings is a project formed to shape the greening of events, large and small, in the Twin Cities metro area. The GreenGatherings project partners hosted a kick-off meeting in February 2008 to launch the project with key stakeholders, including government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations.

Food
Food Practices: 
Procured locally grown and/or organic foos for event menu
Required safe food handling practices
Used good menu planning and portion control to reduce waste
Implemented a food waste recovery initiative (food to hogs, composting, etc.)
Other: 

- Organic fruit and fair-trade coffee served
- All food waste accumulated during the prepping process and remaining after the event was collected and given to the event hosts for composting

Waste & Recycling
Waste Management Methods Used: 
Trash Disposal
Recycling
Organics Management (food/paper waste composting, food to hogs, food donation, etc.)
Program Audiences: 
Recycling - Vendors/Exhibitors
Recycling - Event Participants
Organics Management - Vendors/Exhibitors
Organics Management - Event Participants
Additional Information: 

- Vendors/Exhibitors above refers to event venue
- Organics management was for back of the house and event participants
- Well labeled bins were provided

Waste Reduction
Waste Reduction Methods Used: 
Use of technology to minimize paper waste (e.g. online registration, webcasting, no printing of meeting materials
Double-sided printing
Use of reusable plates, silverware, and linene
Use of reusable or recyclable decorations or signs
Use of reusable nametags
Redesigned menu to reduce waste (e.g. more finger foods)
Other: 

- No materials were distributed at the meeting. Everything was distributed/projected electronically.
- In lieu of nametags, attendees were asked to use a business card in a reusable nametag holder. Cards were collected for project contact purposes.
- Beverages were only served in reusable cups - no cans or bottles.

Resource and Energy Use
Energy Reduction Methods Used: 
Held event at a facility that uses green power (e.g., Saint Paul RiverCentre)
Use of energy efficient lighting
Other: 

The Science Museum of Minnesota was designed to be an energy efficient building. The building is also powered by renewable energy through District Energy St. Paul.

Travel and Transportation
Transportation amenities offered at event: 
Bike racks/parking
Transportation information promoted to event attendees/volunteers/vendors/exhibitors: 
Metro Transit Trip Planner
Bus routes
Bike maps
Location Selection: 
Held event at a venue easily accessible by transit
Results
Cost savings experienced from implementing green initiatives: 
$300.00
Please describe any other known environmental benefits from sustainability initiatives at your event: 

Paper reduction efforts saved approximately 1,037 sheets of paper or 12% of one tree.

What has been your biggest success in terms of green initiatives at your event?: 

Paper reduction efforts were probably the biggest success. It saved money and was relatively easy to implement.

What has been your biggest challenge in terms of green initiatives at your event?: 

Local food - holding the meeting in February in Minnesota made local food options difficult to use.

How were the green initiatives received by event attendees and/or vendors?: 

Very well - participants were happy to receive meeting materials electronically vs. a paper copy.

Will you plan to implement green initiatives again?: 

Yes