While saving the planet may be something that’s close to your heart (and mine), in many companies, you may need a solid business case to get approval to do things differently. That’s why I’m excited to continue my series of
Now Open! How to Plan Zero Waste Events Online Course
Are you the kind of person who learns best from personal explanation? Learning directly from others has played a huge part in my career. One of the most important conversations in my professional life was a casual coffee chat a
Sustainability Isn’t Always Convenient, But Should That Matter?
One of my colleagues recently articulated a thought I’ve had for a while but hadn’t been able to put into words. We were discussing the reluctance some people in the Midwest show when it comes to sustainability. She said that
Garbage or Gold Mine? The Difference Between Waste Management and Material Recovery
Is there anything more worthless than a bag of trash? A pile of dirt? Maybe gravel? It’s hard to conjure a mental image of something worth less than trash. In fact, things become trash because we no longer value them.
What To Do with Waste When Your Event Is Cancelled
I recently experienced a first since starting my business: an outdoor event I was contracted for got rained out. I was running a waste diversion program for the Indiana Sports Corporation’s Corporate Challenge, and the event was of such a
Why Pre-Setting Food at Events is Wasteful
As I continue to attend events both locally and in other parts of the country, I’ve begun to notice there are many aspects of event planning where unsustainable choices still seem to be the default way of doing things. One
5 Ways for Event Planners to Reduce Food Waste and Save Money
Food waste is often the type of waste at events that planners feel the worst about. Even if we didn’t grow up recycling at home, many of us were raised with a strong message about the importance of not wasting
How to Calculate the Waste Diversion Rate of an Event
I’m going to go out on a limb and make a bold assumption: If you’re an event professional, when you chose your career you probably weren’t looking to do a lot of math. Neither was I. However, there’s one math
The Basics of Zero Waste Stations for Events
Imagine you’re attending an event. You just finished a delicious small plate and a cocktail, and you’re ready to move into the next room for some great entertainment. You spot a recycling station and head there to dispose of your
How to Get People to Recycle Correctly at Events
Have you ever wondered if an item is recyclable or not, then tossed it into the recycling bin “just in case”? If so, you’ve participated in “wishful recycling,” the practice of recycling items we hope are recyclable without being totally