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UM Zero Waste Event checklist and guidelines

Event Recognition & Certification 

UM Sustainability recognizes a variety of campus groups and individuals for their leadership in following our UM Zero Waste Event checklist and guidelines. Aspects of this content are shared through our Sustainability Sentinels staff/faculty ambassador program which requires peer to peer education and outreach efforts to fulfill their service requirements. Furthermore, our office recognizes and highlights the tremendous efforts already ongoing across campus led by departments such as UM Dining which hosts multiple Zero Waste and Sustainability events which highlight best practices in sustainability dining. Recognition for following criteria is considered in our annual sustainability awards which consist of nominations and voting by our University Sustainability Campus Committee. These awards and recognitions are celebrated in concert with our annual campus sustainability highlights report.  

UM Sustainability has helped to facilitate Zero Waste efforts across the campus for the past several years. Notable events include the annual campus Welcome Feast which has become an important event to showcase our shared commitment to Zero Waste. Collaborators for this event include UM Dining, UM Recycling, Missoula Compost Collection, and a host of volunteers and organizations that are thinking about the procurement process, collection, and composting services. In fall 2024, UM provided ZW services for the Stadium Concert event series, setting up over 50 matched-bin Zero Waste stations inside Washington Grizzly Stadium. The results were tremendous, diverting well over 15,000 pounds of materials from the landfill. We are currently preparing to offer ZW services for future events including our Griz home football games which directly impact over 20,000 fans who attend each of these games. In our events, we emphasize the following principles and best practices to document material metrics, key challenges, and success stories.   

A Zero Waste event is an event that produces 10% or less landfill waste, meaning 90% of the waste produced at the event will be reused, recycled, or composted. Other aspects of zero waste and sustainability should also be considered, including procurement practices to reduce consumption upstream while also minimizing items that are diverted from the waste stream including food waste. Please coordinate with UM Office of Sustainability for guidance and support to make your ZW event a success and model for our campus community.  

Infrastructure and Education 

1. Provide matched bin-sets when you have more than compostable materials. 
2. Utilize standardized signage appropriate for your bin sets.  
3. Provide compost bins for your event. 
4. Remove or cover trash cans to direct people to use ZW stations.  
5. Provide some assistance at the ZW stations at appropriate times to help people out. 
6. Include a brief demonstration and/or display of materials which are washable, compostable, recyclable and landfill. 

Outreach, Operations, and Engagement 

1. Advertise your event as Zero Waste.  
2. Make sure when introducing your event you speak to how it is a ZW event and provide details for the details and examples that make this event ZW.  
3. Avoid use of promotion or giveaway items (SWAG) or utilize sustainable options. 
4. Encourage attendees to utilize alternative transportation to and from event (walking, biking, bus, carpooling, etc.).  
5. Project agendas on a screen instead of printing paper agendas and materials. 
6. Promote event using minimal paper outreach materials. 
7. Use natural light as much as possible for events to reduce power use. 
8. Use reusable decorations or items that do not have to be thrown away. 

Procurement, Catering, and Planning 

1. When arranging catering, talk with your caterer about ZW options.
2. Emphasize no or minimal single use items at your event. 
3. Make sure to order correct amount of food to minimize waste. 
   1. Avoid bottled or canned beverages (especially water) and opt for bulk dispensers with compostable cups (opt for reusable if possible). 
   2. Order in bulk to avoid individually packaged items (for ex: bottles of condiments vs sachets). 
4. Offer local, organic, vegetarian, and vegan food options. If providing meat options, ensure they are local and sustainable. Make sure meal options are inclusive of / for diet sensitivities, allergies, cultural preferences, etc.  
5. Purchase reusable or compostable utensils and dishware or request these items from your caterer. 
   1. Example request: we are planning this event to be Zero Waste. This means we want all of the disposable materials to be either washable, recyclable, or compostable.

Event Documentation and Evaluation 

1. Do try and assess the successes and challenges of your event. Collect data from compost, recycling, landfill, etc.  
2. Collect feedback from others electronically vs paper surveys. 
3. Do seek feedback from guests about their experience of the event regarding content and how the ZW focus may have supported the experience. 
4. Share your experience with others about your Zero Waste event.  
5. Document and reflect upon your successes and challenges and make your next event even better.