| Planning a "Green" MeetingEarlier in the week I | | | | If re-useable containers are not used, encourage |
| was at our local health food store waiting for my | | | | use of recyclable beverage containers.Conserve |
| turn at the check-out counter when I noticed the | | | | Energy and Reduce TrafficLook for naturally |
| lady in front of me had bought her own | | | | lighted meeting and exhibit spaces. |
| re-useable carry bags which suddenly made a lot | | | | Publicize mass transportation options. |
| more sense to me than choosing "paper or | | | | Provide shuttle service from mass transit stops |
| plastic". When we witness examples of people | | | | or hotels to the event site.Food Service and |
| choosing to live in a more sustainable and | | | | AccommodationsPlan food service needs carefully |
| eco-friendly way, it causes us to stop and reflect | | | | to avoid unnecessary waste. |
| on our own living and buying practices.The Global | | | | Consider use of durable food service items. |
| Green USA program that invites celebrities to | | | | Donate excess food to charitable organizations. |
| arrive at the Academy Awards in energy efficient | | | | Work with hotel on non-replacement of linens, |
| transportation started in 2002 with just four | | | | soaps, etc.Buy Environmentally Aware |
| participants. This year Jennifer Aniston and | | | | ProductsUse recycled paper and vegetable- and |
| supporting-actress nominee Frances McDormand | | | | soy-based inks for promotional materials and |
| were among the 25 VIPs to participate in the | | | | handouts. |
| fourth annual "Red Carpet, Green Cars" event | | | | Consider selling or providing refillable containers |
| sponsored by the environmental organization | | | | for beverages. |
| Global Green USA and Toyota Motor Corp. | | | | Provide reusable containers for handouts or |
| Participants in the program arrived in either | | | | samples (pocket or file folders, cloth bags). |
| Toyota or Lexus hybrids.Considering that close to | | | | Where reusable items are not feasible, select |
| 40 million people watch the Academy Awards it | | | | products that are made from recovered materials |
| creates a great opportunity for a lesson in green | | | | and that also can be recycled.Educate Participants |
| living and shows that you can be environmentally | | | | and ExhibitorsRequest the use of recycled and |
| minded with style.The same applies to planning a | | | | recyclable handouts or giveaways. |
| "green meeting". In the process you are not giving | | | | Request that unused items be collected for use |
| up anything and can be saving a lot in terms of | | | | at another event. |
| cost and waste in the process.A green meeting | | | | Encourage participants to recycle materials at the |
| or event incorporates environmental | | | | event. |
| considerations to minimize any negative impact on | | | | Reward participation by communicating |
| the environment. There are also economic | | | | environmental savings achieved.For more |
| benefits to using recycles materials, reusing items | | | | information and support in planning your "green |
| and reducing the amount of materials used. Plan | | | | meetings", go to: |
| an environmentally responsible event and promote | | | | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - |
| your event's environmental features keeping the | | | | Green Conference Initiative |
| following ideas in mind:Prevent and Reduce | | | | |
| WasteUse double-sided printing for promotional | | | | The Green Meetings / Conference Initiative was |
| materials and handouts. | | | | developed and is supported by the EPA's Pollution |
| Avoid mass distribution of handouts and allow | | | | Prevention Division to provide conference planners |
| attendees to order copies. | | | | and suppliers of conference services, easy access |
| Provide reusable name badges.Recycle and | | | | to environmentally friendly goals of conference |
| Manage WasteCollect paper and recyclable | | | | planning. The Initiative provides green options and |
| beverage containers in meeting areas. | | | | opportunities for conference planning.Written by |
| Collect cardboard and paper in exhibit areas. | | | | Yvon Douran, President of Keynote Resource, |
| Collect cardboard, beverage containers, aluminum | | | | your preferred bureau partner for world class |
| cans, and plastics in food vending areas. | | | | keynote speakers and corporate entertainment. |