Sustainable Events at CSUMB

There are many different ways to incorporate sustainable practices when planning out events. The Sustainable Events Blueprint details how you can integrate sustainability in 3 simple steps. Following the completion of these steps you will receive a sustainability score for your event.

Step 1. Review the Sustainable Events Blueprint (below). The Blueprint includes the checklist question and provides resources. Reviewing these in advance with the team planning the event will help you identify steps to take to ensure your event is sustainable and inclusive.

Step 2. Complete the Sustainability Pre-Event Checklist (SEB-C) to get your Event Sustainability Score.

Step 3. Review your score and integrate it into the messaging and communication of your event.

Sustainable Events Blueprint Checklist Items

- Agendas, information, and other marketing material is offered electronically (avoid distributing paper handouts)
- Sustainability is a part of the discussion in planning the event
- The event actively communicates sustainability objectives and performance criteria to attendees via outreach & marketing materials
- Steps are taken to ensure diverse perspectives are welcomed, represented, and respected through outreach and recruitment of diverse faculty, staff, administrators, participants, and partnerships.
  - For example, if you regularly partner with creatives and entrepreneurs, take a look at your history. Have you partnered with any Natives in the past? More broadly, how about Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)? If your partnerships are predominantly white, it’s time to reset your course. Diversity in design benefits everyone.
- Consideration in planning the times and location of events includes non-dominant religious holidays
  - For example, potlucks are not planned during Ramadan or major events on non-Christian Holy days
- The CSUMB Land Acknowledgement is made at the beginning of or during the event.
- Ensure event accessibility to all attendees. Without notice, you may need to include accommodations for deaf, hard of hearing, and other participants with impairments and physical accessibility (wheelchair access).
  - Student Disability Resources (SDR) offers a worksheet on "Unhandicapping Our Language" and Disability Publications where you can learn more and acquire resources about disability.
- Inclusive language (pronouns, inclusive ethnicities) is used in event communication, materials, etc.
  - For example, include another language other than English in communication materials and/or event planners/facilitators say their pronouns at the beginning of the event.
- Event is held outside, without power needs
- Embodied carbon footprint is calculated
- Plant based (vegan/vegetarian) food is offered (at least 20% per CSU policy)
- Cultural and ethnic considerations are incorporated when selecting food options
- All leftover food is donated where possible
- Carbon and/or water footprint of food served is calculated and displayed
Definition of Sustainable and Green Procurement

Sustainable procurement means choosing products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose https://csumb.edu/sustainability/materials-management/

Green procurement means choosing products or services that “have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with the competing products or services that serve the same purpose (EPA website).”

Best Practices and Resource Links
- Establish a committee to brainstorm and research sustainable procurement practices.
- Become familiar with ISO 20400 standard, which is specific to the practice of sustainable procurement. https://www.iso.org/files/live/sites/isoorg/files/store/en/ISO%2020400_Sustainable_procur.pdf
- Integrate sustainability into procurement contracts and vendor agreements.
- Understand the importance of sustainable procurement https://www.oecd.org/gov/ethics/Going_Green_Best_Practices_for_Sustainable_Procurement.pdf
- Communicate with your supply chain partners - the earlier, the better.
- Track sustainability factors of items purchased as you go; don’t wait until the end.
SWAG/Giveaways
- Dispense with give-aways
- Give virtual gifts in lieu of tangible gifts
- Give reusable, edible or consumable
- - Ensure the edible gifts are small batch
  - Purchase regionally, locally and seasonally
  - Opt for certified Fair Trade products https://www.moneycrashers.com/fair-trade-definition-products-facts/
  - Watch packaging
  - Have a goal to make swag zero waste
Green Cleaning

CSUMB supports the use of green cleaning products and processes. We work with our contractor vendors to ensure Green Cleaning processes are in place and followed. However, if your event requires the purchase of outside cleaning products/supplies, please look for these attributes to identify green cleaning products:
- Minimizes exposure to concentrates
- No ozone depleting substances
- Recyclable packaging
- Recycled content in packaging
- Reduced bioconcentration factor
- Reduced flammability
- Reduced or no added dyes, except when added for safety purposes
- Reduced or no added fragrances
- Reduced or no skin irritants
- Reduced or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Reduced packaging
- The event is hosted online via a videoconference or teleconference application.
- The event materials include information on alternative transportation, including bus routes, and education to increase awareness about ways to reduce fuel consumption.
- Event location is chosen to accommodate sustainable modes of transportation such as bike racks, bus/shuttle stops, walking paths, and accessible parking
- Information is collected regarding the transportation modality chosen by participants
- Event three-stream bins are requested for the event
- BPI Certified Compostable packaging or ware (i.e. utensils, plates)
- Recyclable packaging & ware (chasing arrows that are recyclable -> 1, 2, 5
- Washable service ware is used
  - If washable ware is not available:
    - Food, drinks, and snacks are served in bulk to avoid any unnecessary packaging waste.
    - Avoid purchasing plastic or paper-boxed meals
- There is a designated team to assist with waste sorting at the event (i.e. blue strike, “waste-watchers”)
- No single use plastic water bottles
- Styrofoam is NOT used (Plate, trays, cups, bowls, etc.)
- Guests are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags, coffee mugs, or water bottles to reduce need for disposable dining ware and supplies.
- Food and drink are served in bulk to avoid unnecessary packaging waste
- A waste audit is conducted following the event (dumpsters.com/blog/how-to-conduct-a-waste-audit)
- Promotional materials, favors, condiments, snacks, and cutlery are not individually wrapped in plastic.
- All outside vendors comply with zero waste policies

What is your Event Sustainability Score?

Answer some questions about your event and receive your Event Sustainability Score.

Find your Event Sustainability Score

Event Sustainability Scoring System
Rank	Bronze	Silver	Gold	Platinum
Score	5-9 points	10-15 points	16-24 points	25+ points

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