| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.21 |
| Liaison | Stephen Ellis |
| Submission Date | June 9, 2023 |
Boston University
IN-18: Green Event Certification
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.25 / 0.50 |
Lexie
Raczka Sustainability Director of Dining Dining Services |
Does the institution have or participate in a green event certification program?:
Has the institution held one or more certified events in the previous year?:
Does the institution’s green event certification program address the following?:
| Yes or No | |
| Sustainable transportation options, teleconferencing options, and/or carbon offsets | No |
| Sustainable catering (e.g., sourcing local and third party certified food and beverages, providing vegetarian/vegan options, using reusable/compostable materials) | Yes |
| Paper consumption (e.g., minimization and recycled/FSC certified content) | No |
| Energy efficiency (e.g., equipment and lighting) | No |
| Waste minimization and diversion | Yes |
| Communications and/or signage about the sustainable practices | Yes |
A brief description of the institution’s green event certification program:
Catering on the Charles provides catering services to Boston University. Since not all catering services are not zero waste, Catering on the Charles created a specific program in support of BU’s Zero Waste Plan, this program is known as Zero Waste Events. Zero Waste Events have to be opted-in based upon request (through a "Zero Waste Catering package"), which is a green event certification process (logo attached in "Optional Fields" below). Catering on the Charles provides a number of service options that support waste reduction, options include china service - reusable dishware, silverware, glasses, and cloth napkins - and plant-based disposables - fiber plates, wood utensils, napkins, bio-based cups, etc. All staffed catered events include waste sorting in the back of house, including capturing food waste for anaerobic digestion. Additionally, they recycle plastic and glass bottles, cardboard, and paper.
Post-pandemic, BU had at least 20 Zero Waste Events. The program has become smaller than it was pre-pandemic. Catering on the Charles working on rebuilding the program, but due to staffing shortages and supply chain issues, effectively tracking the program has become difficult.
Catering on the Charles sources and purchases food and beverages locally whenever possible and "offer organic, vegetarian/vegan, gluten-free, and responsibly raised meat products".
Website URL where information about the green event certification program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
This represents FY2021 and FY2022.
This represents FY2021 and FY2022.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.