A Model Sustainable Event. Steps Taken and Our Findings

Transcription

1 Town Hall 2010: A Model Sustainable Event Steps Taken and Our Findings Compiled by Andrea Norris, OSU Campus Recycling Andrea.Norris@oregonstate.edu or (541)

2 Waste Steps Taken: OSU Campus Recycling managed six recycling stations located throughout the event; volunteers helped sort into compost and recycle bins All trash cans removed from building (except in restrooms) Everything served by OSU Catering was compostable (no wrapped items, plastic, etc)

3 Waste Steps Taken: Compostable serving ware generously donated by EcNow Tech Bathroom paper towels collected for composting Exhibitors and attendees asked to avoid bringing or distributing non-recyclable items Borrowed nametag holders from University Events and returned for reuse

4 Waste Results: Met our goal of being zero waste! Only collected 0.1 lbs of material (recycling + compostables) per person, meaning very little went to waste Diverted 51 lbs from the landfill! Compost, 35, 69% Trash, 0, 0% Recycle, 16, 31%

5 Waste Results: The majority of recyclables collected were paper products (meeting materials) Volunteers reported turning away a few trash items, including tape, a couple coffee cups, a candy wrapper, and gum

6 Energy Steps Taken: OSU Sustainability Office controlled lighting levels during the event to conserve energy OSU Sustainability Office took meter readings to compare this event to others 1,250 kwh of renewable energy generously provided by Pacific Power Blue Sky 413 therms of natural gas offsets generously provided by NW Natural Smart Energy

7 Energy Results: Energy used was unexpectedly higher than average Factors that could have affected this are weather (it was colder on our event day) and the accuracy of attendee numbers Entire facility is on one meter, so not all energy used was related to the events Metric Town Hall Estimate Electricity 2.33 kwh/person Natural Gas 87 Cu ft/person Av. from Other Events 1.46 kwh/person 49 Cu ft/person We may not always meet our target but now have a baseline to beat next year!

8 Energy Results: We know we reduced energy by reducing lighting at the event Offsets covered nearly all energy used and will avoid 6,075 lbs of CO 2, which is equivalent to not driving 6,155 miles or planting 69 trees!

9 Food Steps Taken: Menu features many Local 6 foods; menu developed by OSU Catering and First Alternative Co-Op Compostable serving ware generously donated by EcNow Tech Municipal tap water provided for beverage service (rather than bottled or shipped water) Signage on catering table and walls to identify local foods

10 Food Local Foods: Bread from Big River, Corvallis Eggs from Golden Egg, Philomath Sunchokes from Gathering Together Farm, Philomath Feta Spread from Feast Alternative, Corvallis Leeks from Gathering Together Farms, Philomath Cabbage from Denison Farm, Corvallis Garlic from Elmira Tortilla Chips from Carmen s, Eugene Blueberries from Stahlbush Island, Corvallis Beans from Truitt Brothers, Salem Pumpkin from Farmers Market Foods, Corvallis Wheat from Stalford Farm, Tangent Kate Hickok Feldman photo 2010

11 Water Steps Taken: Bathroom faucet flow rates were labeled so attendees could choose by efficiency Restrooms had only low flow toilets and urinals and were labeled as such OSU Sustainability Office took meter readings to compare this event to others

12 Water Results: Water use was 40% lower than average Factors that could have affected this are sink signage and the caterer s nearby facility, reducing their onsite water need Metric Town Hall Estimate Water 0.13 Cu ft/person Av. from Other Events 0.22 Cu ft/person

13 Transportation Steps Taken: Marketing materials promoted alternative transportation Survey used to determine modes of transportation used by attendees

14 Transportation Results: Only 1/3 drove alone while 2/3 took alternative modes! 37% came car free! 389 participated in the survey 19% 4% 3% 15% 34% 25% Single car Carpool Electric Car Bicycle Walk Transit

15 A Model Sustainable Event : Social Steps Taken: Primary marketing materials provided in English and Spanish Educational signage posted so attendees learned how to duplicate efforts

16 Economic Steps Taken: Purchased and promoted local food and serving ware Provided a venue to promote local businesses and organizations

17 Town Hall 2010 Questions? Contact: Andrea Norris OSU Campus Recycling (541)