Sustainable Events Guide

•  Support small, local, and diverse-owned businesses to decrease emissions from transportation and help contribute to a fair and regenerative economy. See the Northeastern created catering list with categories for diverse-owned businesses by neighborhood. There is also a list specific to merchants in Nubian Square.  
• Ask the caterer about their sustainable practices including the use of local and organic ingredients, utilizing reusable or compostable service ware, and how they minimize food waste.  

Include vegetarian and vegan options, as well as gluten-free options. Consider having a plant-based menu and give attendees the choice to opt into meat/dairy. Be sure food is labeled with common allergens.

• A recent study by Oxford University researchers found that individual carbon footprints can be reduced by 73 percent simply by switching to a plant-based diet.

Choose finger foods such as sandwiches or appetizers that don’t require utensils.

Sample menu ideas:

• • • Breakfast ideas: fresh fruit, oatmeal, granola, whole grain bagels or breads, plant-based yogurts
    • Lunch ideas: plant-based whole grain sandwiches or wraps, fruit, vegetables with hummus, veggie burgers, grain bowls with couscous or quinoa or brown rice, salad bowls
    • Snacks: fruits, oatmeal, trail mix, popcorn, nut mixes.
    • Dinner: plant-based stir fry, stuffed bell peppers, vegan pasta.
    • Dessert: chia pudding, fruit sorbet, apple crisps

• Use pitchers or large water bottle dispensers (cambros) and promote water bottle refill stations.
  
• Consider adding fruit, vegetables or herbs to pitchers of water for flavor and presentation.  
• If coffee is served, encourage guests to bring their own mugs. Provide a non-dairy alternative with tea and coffee.   

• Have attendees RSVP to help determine how much food and drink to order to avoid excessive leftovers. 
• Provide reusable takeout containers or request attendees to bring their own to carry home any leftovers. 
• Use the app FeedShare to notify Northeastern community members that there is free food available. 

• Avoid buying items that will be used once and then thrown away. 
• Buy condiments, snacks, and other single-use items in bulk rather than individual packets.  
• Borrow reusable service ware from a nearby kitchen rather than automatically using disposables from the caterer when possible(don’t forget to request any disposables from the caterer).
  
  Massachusetts banned textile disposal: Plan ahead and either reuse or donate clothes and textiles.  Additional information and resources can be found on the Mass.gov website. If using cloth tablecloths, wash and reuse them or rent them from a company that will. 
  

• Avoid materials that aren’t easily recyclable (i.e. Styrofoam, plastic bags). Aluminum is infinitely recyclable, unlike plastic.  
• Encourage proper recycling by announcing instructions and consider posting additional signage. For an event using disposable supplies, only clear plastic cups and drink bottles/cans could go in recycling. 
• For large events, order a large, portable recycling and trash bin through facilities that can accommodate larger items (e.g. plastic catering trays).  
• Black plastic is not recyclable.

• Although event compost service is not widely available at this time, the university is working to expand access to compost service. There are six green composting bins located across campus, where you can conveniently drop off your food waste. Check out this Composting Guide for best practices and tips. 
• Note that only fibrous compostable products are accepted in the compost bin. No plastic is acceptable, even if it is labeled “compostable” such as compostable plastic cutlery. The only exception is certified compostable biobags used to line the container. 
• Northeastern provides free small compost bags, available for pick-up at Curry Crossroads in the Curry Student Center. These could be used to collect food scraps at smaller events.  
• If you want to explore composting at a larger event, please email recycle@northeastern.edu for information and guidance.

• Use the digital signage boards around campus rather than posters (form for Curry Student Center boards here).
• Advertise on social media and use digital invitations (email, Eventbrite).
• Provide information related to sustainability on virtual invitations:
  • Reusables: “Please consider bringing a coffee cup or reusable water bottle to reduce the environmental impact of this event”
  • Transportation: “Please consider taking a sustainable mode of transportation to this event. Learn more here.”
• If larger physical signs are used, try to avoid using dates so that they can be reused in the future.

• Share handouts and meeting agendas digitally by using a QR code or projecting them at the event.
  
• Collect and reuse any name tag holders. If the meeting is a recurring event, create reusable name tags that will be collected at the end of the meeting.

• Before buying new, consider if something can be borrowed. The Northeastern Event Planners group have a Shared Resource List of items that can be borrowed for free.  Items include prize wheels, board games, coolers, and more.  
• “Support Northeastern Alumni and Shop Northeastern – Alumni Relations. There are tabs for Minority- and Women-owned businesses.” 
• “Consider buying from local Black-owned businesses: Check out  Buy Black, Buy Local – Black Owned Bos. | Black Owned Bos.” 

• Avoid single-use decorations, instead, use reusable decorations that can match with a wide variety of events and themes. 
• Don’t put dates or other limiting information on t-shirts, banners, and decorations so they can be reused. 
• Opt for plants instead of cut flowers. Plants can also be great party favors for your guests! 
  

  Sustainable Decoration Ideas:	Decorations to Avoid
  Cloth tablecloths and banners  String LED Lights  Art  Plants	Plastic Tablecloths  Confetti  Balloons  Single-use items

• Replace material giveaways with experiences or raffle prizes (e.g. Bluebikes Membership, concert/BSO/Theater tickets).
• Ensure any giveaways are durable and useful so it is less likely to be thrown away (e.g. Notebooks, reusable totes, mugs). 
• Request plastic-free packaging whenever possible. 
• Seek products and companies that are certified or ethically made. If you are looking for recommendations, reach out to Sustainability@northeastern.edu. Sustainability has sourced stickers, reusable sandwich bags, bamboo cutlery, etc. from different sustainable vendors.

• Encourage guests to use public transportation when possible.  
• Provide information about bike racks on campus and near the event location. 
• The Northeastern Boston campus has four Bluebike stations; a full map of all Bluebike stations can be found here.
• If people are looking to use electric vehicles, they can utilize the Northeastern EV chargers at no  additional charge above the regular cost to park.
• Consider whether an in-person meeting is necessary or if remote attendance or hybrid is possible, especially if air travel is required.
• Learn more about Alternative Transporation here. 

• Consult Northeastern’s Disability Access Services for ideas on how to make your event more accessible.
• Ensure the event location is accessible to all attendees.
• Plan ahead for dietary preferences and label all food with common allergens.