Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 71.74
Liaison Carrie Metzgar
Submission Date March 5, 2021

STARS v2.2

University of California, San Diego
IN-18: Green Event Certification

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.25 / 0.50 Jennifer Bowser
Sustainability Program Coordinator
Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have or participate in a green event certification program?:
Yes

Has the institution held one or more certified events in the previous year?:
Yes

Does the institution’s green event certification program address the following?:
Yes or No
Sustainable transportation options, teleconferencing options, and/or carbon offsets ---
Sustainable catering (e.g., sourcing local and third party certified food and beverages, providing vegetarian/vegan options, using reusable/compostable materials) ---
Paper consumption (e.g., minimization and recycled/FSC certified content) Yes
Energy efficiency (e.g., equipment and lighting) ---
Waste minimization and diversion Yes
Communications and/or signage about the sustainable practices Yes

A brief description of the institution’s green event certification program:
https://sustain.ucsd.edu/involve/host.html

The Staff Sustainability Network developed these guidelines for hosting a zero-waste event in August 2019 to lead the Staff Association Event Planning Committee through the necessary steps for making the Annual Staff Summer Celebration a successful zero-waste event. With the Network's help, the Staff Association achieved a 97% diversion rate.

Example guidelines include:
- If you’re self-catering, use reusable or recyclable dinnerware and provide self-serve food and beverage stations with appropriate portions to avoid excess food waste and individual containers.
- Be proactive about making your event zero waste. Start by telling everyone (caters, vendors, tablers and attendees) that your event is zero waste.
- Avoid single-use items, like balloons, streamers, printed event materials with specific dates, locations, etc.
- Handouts: print smaller, double-sided flyers (1/4 letter sheet) to maximize space, or print one flyer with a QR code that links to a webpage so attendees can scan with a smartphone.

In Dec 2019, the 2019 Staff Association Holiday Breakfast was also another successful zero waste event and was attended by 1500 people. From the planning of the menu, service ware, bins, and day-of logistical challenges, they succeeded in their efforts. Approximately 0.02 lbs waste/person and 94% diversion rate.

Events have been suspended due to COVID since March 2020.

Website URL where information about the green event certification program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.