Zero Waste Events
Zero waste is making the effort to decrease the earth’s landfill pollution, replenish the earth’s soil by giving it nutrients for growth through composting, create new items to be produced from recyclable material, feed the hungry from successful resource recovery, all the while reducing greenhouse gas emissions (namely methane that gets produced when materials in the landfill that could otherwise be composted or recycled decompose anaerobically- without oxygen).
A zero waste event entails the use of reusable, compostable, or recyclable materials when needed, as well as participating in resource recovery for donating untouched, packaged items. Carefully differentiating between each material and recognizing the exact materials used is critical for proper waste disposal. This is done through education by Eco-Educator volunteers, and through the implementation of "eco-stations" which are disposal bins categorized between "composting", "landfill", and recycling "glass, metal, and plastic" and "paper". The number of Eco-Educators and eco-stations and where they are placed will depend on the size of the event.
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Zero Waste Planning Guide
Use this guide to plan a zero-waste event, from pre-event planning to waste sorting and beyond that can be used anywhere -
Student Organizations Green Guide
Also use this guide if you are in a registered student organization to have a sustainable event -
Departmental Green Guide
Also use this guide if you're a department on campus looking to have a sustainable event in your building or elsewhere -
Student Centers Green Guide
Also use this guide if your event is in the Student Centers buildings (SCE or SCW) -
Forum & Pavilion Green Guide
Also use this guide if your event is in the UIC Pavilion or the UIC Forum -
Catering Green Guide
Also use this guide if you will be using UIC Dining Services to cater your event -
Recycling, Compost and Landfill posters
Print these 11x17" posters in color to hang near the appropriate bins at your zero waste event.