Planning to Go Green Goals, Strategies and Outcomes

1
Planning to Go Green? Goals, Strategies and
Outcomes
MPI-CAC Rosemont, Illinois February 20, 2009
2
About Green Events Source

• Green Event Training and Education
• Sustainability Consulting and Planning
• Green Event Management and Coordination
• Green Purchasing and Products
• Information and Publishing

3
Why Green Meetings and Events?
A Typical 5-Day Conference Uses 62,000
plates 87,000 napkins 75,000 cups 90,000 cans or
bottles Source Meeting Strategies Worldwide
4
Other Common Sources of Waste
Paper and printing Nametags Giveaways and
premiums Flowers and table décor Food, beverages
and condiments Trade show exhibits, carpets,
signage, handouts
5
Carbon Emissions too
Heating, cooling and lighting of meeting spaces
Travel to and from the event site Shipping and
delivery of booths and other materials Lodging-rel
ated waste (water and energy use, toiletries)
6
Lots of Good Information and Advice

7
Where to Begin?

• Dont Be Intimidated
• Have a Plan
• Start Small, With a Win
• Include Cost Savers
• Strive to Eliminate or Reduce Waste
• Remember Its a Process

8
Key Planning Steps

• 1. Assess
• 2. Set Goals
• 3. Plan Implementation
• 4. Measure

9
Assessment

• Current Practices (site selection, paper use,
  printing, waste and water reduction, purchasing,
  travel/shipping, food)
• Organizations Capacity (what can we do that
  management will accept and support?)
• Attendee Expectations (what are they likely to
  support that will enhance their experience?)
• Identify opportunities low-hanging fruit and
  financial wins.
• Reference standards or best practices (what will
  it take to achieve best practices or green
  designation under new APEX standard?)

10
Setting Goals

• Pick two or three areas that have the greatest
  potential benefit
• 1. Reduction and Recycling Strategies
• 2. Green Purchasing
• 3. Visible Commitments
• 4. Phase in over time
• A link to the National Recycling Coalitions Green
  Meetings Policy can be found in The Green Events
  Source Book under Samples or www.nrc-recycle.org/D
  ata/Sites/1/greenmtgpolicy.pdf

11
Example Phase I Strategies

• 1. Reduce Paper Use
• 2. Eliminate Bottled Water
• 3. Limit Disposables
• 4. Serve in Bulk
• 5. Increase Recycling

12
Example Phase II Strategies

• Green Food and Beverages
• Reusable and/or Electronic Signage
• Purchase Green
• Offset Carbon
• Donation and Community Service

13
Possible Phase III Strategies

• Select Green Destinations and Sites
• Conserve Energy and Water
• Reduce Travel and Transportation
• Exhibit and Ship Green
• Measure and Report

14
Considerations

• Situation
• Availability
• Expectations of Attendees
• Cost (time and money)

15
What About Cost?

• Money is saved by using less paper, water, food
• Some things cost more initially but produce cost
  savings over the life of the product
• Increased demand and purchasing power is driving
  prices down

16
Measure Outcomes

• Financial
• Money saved by reducing paper, printing, mailing,
  bottled water, serving condiments in bulk,
  reusing lanyards and nametags, etc.
• Compare year-to-year budget
• Environmental vendors should supply data!
• Waste diverted
• Reused, reclaimed and donated material
• Energy saved
• Carbon calculation
• Sample measurement report see The Green Events
  Source Book under Samples

17
What If I Get Questions?

• Explain the thinking behind your policy or plan
• Expect trade-offs and be ready for objections
• People will support a good-faith effort

18

Updated Resource and Tools

• Included on Your Flash Drive
• Link to sign up for comprehensive online edition
• Extensive resources, tips and tools

19
Thank You
Call [phone] or email deb_at_popelyco.com
www.greeneventsource.com