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Green Events

Green LMU -- often in collaboration with others --  hosts a wide range of sustainability-focused events throughout the year, including the Sustainable Sounds Fair, clothing mending workshops, sustainable vendor markets, and film screenings. These events not only build community and raise awareness, but also model how environmentally responsible event planning can become a standard practice. To support this effort, Green LMU developed a Green Event Guide to help students, faculty, and staff integrate sustainable practices into their events. Alongside the guide, the Green Event Certification Program was created to recognize events that meet specific sustainability criteria. Simple choices, like avoiding single-use plastics, providing recycling and compost bins, and sourcing local food, can have a significant impact. By making these practices more accessible and visible, Green LMU is helping to normalize sustainability across campus life, showing that small steps at events can lead to long-term cultural change.

Green LMU Event Certification

The Green LMU Event Certification program allows on-campus organizations to self-report their sustainability efforts post-event. This process involves completing a survey that assesses adherence to Green LMU's Event Certification Checklist. Events scoring 80% or higher against a 96-point total—broken down into sections each worth 16 points—are deemed certified. Though the total points are not 100, this scoring system approximates a full score for those achieving 96 points. Certified events may receive a badge for social media recognition, promoting their Green LMU Certified status.

The form will serve as a tool for all organizations on the LMU campus to self-report their efforts in making their event as sustainable as possible. The Green LMU office will review the certification, and a score for the event will be awarded based on the efforts made to align with Green LMU's Event Certification Checklist. An event must meet the 80% criteria threshold to earn certification.

Green Event Guide Checklist

There are many ways to stay sustainable while hosting an event. Take a look at our Green Event Guide Checklist to help you to make your next LMU affiliated event as sustainable as possible!

  • Selecting a sustainable venue is a crucial first step when hosting a ‘Green Event.’ Consider the following factors when choosing your venue:

    ☑ Accessibility: Ensure that venue is accessible to all attendees, including individuals with disabilities. Check for ramps, elevators, accessible bathrooms, and clear signage to accommodate diverse needs. Additionally, ensure the venue can accommodate the exact number of individuals planning to attend. Prioritize locations accessible by public transportation to reduce emissions.

    ☑ Certifications and Energy Efficiency: If the venue is within a building, prioritize locations that are LEED certified or meet any other recognized standards. Verify whether the space incorporates energy-efficient features including LED lighting, renewable energy sources, as well as heating and cooling systems. Consider holding the event outdoors whenever possible to minimize energy use. Also limit the overall amount of electricity used, turning off lights when necessary.

    ☑ Systems for Waste: Prioritize venues with robust waste management practices, including recycling and composting facilities.

  • Transportation is often a significant contributor to an event's carbon footprint. To minimize impact, focus on and consider providing and promoting eco-friendly transportation options:

    ☑ Carpooling and Ridesharing: Encourage carpooling and help coordinate rides based on the venue location. Provide information on nearby transit routes for public transportation, bike racks, or pedestrian friendly paths for attendees. If the event is hosted on campus, choose a convenient location and inform participants on sustainable transportation options. If possible, arrange for sustainable transportation options like electric shuttles. 

    ☑ Virtual Option: Consider possibly making your event fully virtual, or have the available option for individuals to attend online to limit footprint and provide accessible options for attending.

  • Implementing an effective waste management strategy is essential for reducing the environmental impact for your event. Focus on minimizing waste, promoting recycling, and ensuring proper disposal practices. Consider these following guidelines:

    ☑ Digital Invitations + Promotion: Utilize digital invitations such as social media, eventbrite, or email to eliminate extra, unnecessary waste. Promote electronically, either through email, social media, or LEO. 

    ☑ Adequate Waste and Recycling: Prior to the event, ensure there are enough trash and recycling bins placed in high traffic areas that are clear in view to all attendees. Consider placing a compost bin if lots of natural waste is expected. If alcohol is served, request that bartenders recycle all glass, plastic, and aluminum containers. 

    ☑ Eliminating Unnecessary Waste: Encourage attendees to bring reusable water bottles or utensils to limit the usage of single-use plastic. If there is necessary use of single use items, ensure they are recyclable, compostable, or reusable. No single plastic usage. If food is being catered, ensure smaller items are in bulk and choose food platters to avoid unnecessary individual wrapping waste. 

    ☑ Donating Excess Food/Mindful Ordering: Oftentimes, food is left over during events. Consider donating leftovers and excess food to shelters, and avoid throwing out perfectly edible food. Additionally, to avoid excess food, attain a solid guest count before finalizing orders.

    ☑ Proper Cleanup: After the event concludes, ensure there is a proper clean-up protocol to ensure the venue is left clean and waste is properly disposed of.

  • Incorporating sustainable food sourcing into your event is vital for supporting local communities, reducing environmental impact, and overall promoting ethical practices. Consider the following guidelines when selecting food and beverages for your event: 

    ☑ Intentionally Sourcing: When choosing where to cater food from, be intentional where the food is being sourced from. For example, does the food come from a local, organic restaurant? Prioritize sourcing local and third party certified food and beverages. Intend to use fair-trade coffee, teas, bananas, cocoa and sugar as well as free-range, cage-free, or humanely-raised animal products.

    ☑ Food Variety: Provide and prioritize at least one vegetarian or vegan meal option.

  • Incorporating sustainable decorations and equipment into your event is essential for reducing waste and promoting environmentally conscious practices. Consider the following guidelines when planning your event decor:

    ☑ Reusable or Recyclable Decorations: Instead of purchasing new material for decorations, especially plastic items, consider using repurposed materials including clothes, jars for vases, or other natural materials. If new decor items are purchased, plan to preserve and use them for another upcoming event.

    ☑ Equipment: Use equipment that has a reduced electricity demand or is more efficient with its usage. Prioritize using renewable energy sources or solar-powered generators for outdoor events. Work with venues to optimize energy use and turn off equipment when not in use.