Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.23
Liaison Merry Rankin
Submission Date Sept. 1, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Iowa State University
IN-5: Green Event Certification

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.00 / 0.50 Kelly Freel
Purchasing Agent
Purchasing
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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) Yes
Energy efficiency (e.g. equipment and lighting) No
Waste minimization and diversion Yes
Communications and/or signage about the sustainable practices No

A brief description of the institution’s green event certification program, including the specific components selected above:

When planning an off-campus conference or event, you should consider taking a few extra steps to minimize its environmental impact. See the Event Planning checklist below for ideas to "green" your event. If using ISU Dining for your event, they are utilizing sustainable practices in their catering, dining, and café' operations.

"Green" Event Planning Checklist

Table Presentation
Use cloth tablecloths and napkins if possible. If not, at least use paper napkins that are made from recycled paper.
Use sustainable table centerpieces such as potted plants, candles or fruits that guests can take home and reuse. If food or flowers are used and not reused, make sure they are local and pesticide free so they can be composted.
Request reusable dishes, cutlery and glasses/cups.
Food
Ask caterers to use locally grown/produced foods and foods that are in season and organic.
Use fair trade coffee and teas.
Serve foods that need not be individually packaged nor require utensils.
Caterers
If hiring drop-off caterers, ask that food be packaged in reusable containers that they will come back and pick up after the event. This eliminates the need for individually packaged foods.
Ask caterers to minimize use of disposable packaging.
Ask caterers to refrain from using individually wrapped condiments, sugar and salt packets, etc.
Promotional Products/Materials

Use electronic communication for invitations and confirmations instead of printed materials.
Consider not providing programs to each attendee, but rather posting a few in central locations.
Provide paper recycling bins in strategic locations for the programs and other paper that you provide.
Make sure whatever you do print is printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or (FSI) certified recycled paper with soy-based ink. ISU printing is an FSC and SFI certified printer.
Consider giving away items that attendees can use for the rest of the conference, such as travel mugs or tote bags.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO GREEN YOUR MEETING

Green Meeting Site from EPA http://www.epa.gov/oppt/greenmeetings/


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.