Sustainable Event Guide and Certification Program

Create Sustainable Promotional Materials and Event Signage 

• Make all invitations, registration forms, programs, and other promotional materials digital.

• Inform presenters of the event’s sustainability goals and ask them to share any handouts with attendees digitally.

If any communications are to be printed (select all that apply):

• Design communications so they can be reused. This can be accomplished by excluding details that may change over time, or by using chalkboards or whiteboards for event signage.

• Print communications on recycled materials

Highlight Sustainable Practices

• Highlight sustainability commitments in pre-event communications by sharing the event’s Sustainable Event Certification achievement.

• Announce the Sustainable Event Certification level at the event and give instructions for how attendees can participate in sustainability actions.

Resources

• Use UNL’s GoURL service to shorten URLs, create QR codes, and track link usage. 

• Work with UNL Print & Mail Services to source recycled materials.

• Review the Sustainable Event Toolbox for suggested language for promoting the event’s sustainability achievements.

Choose Sustainable Food Options

Work with University Catering or another UNL approved food vendor to promote sustainability in food offerings such as (select all that apply):

• Local foods, defined as produced within a 250-mile radius of the city of Lincoln or produced within the state of Nebraska

• Plant-based foods

• Seasonal foods

• Labeling food to indicate whether the food is vegetarian, vegan, Halal, Kosher, or free of allergens such as gluten, dairy, nuts, etc.

Reduce Food Related Waste

• Avoid single-use dishware and excessive packaging. 

  • Use reusable dishes, silverware, and serveware. 

  • Serve beverages from refillable containers, or encourage attendees to use water bottle refill stations in campus buildings. 

  • Serve condiments in bulk (e.g., cartons of creamer instead of individual creamer packets).

  • Avoid boxed meals.

• Create a plan to avoid over-purchasing food, such as requiring attendees to register before the event.

• Encourage attendees to bring their own reusable dishware (e.g., water bottles, coffee mugs, or cups). 

Resources

• Reach out to University Catering at 402-472-8161 or unlcatering@unl.edu for information on incorporating sustainable practices into the event’s food and beverage order.

• Donate any unopened, nonperishable goods to the Husker Pantry. Visit the Husker Pantry website for more information on donation locations and accepted items

Purchase Sustainable Supplies 

Promote sustainability by purchasing supplies that are (select all that apply): 

• Reusable for future events (e.g., reusable nametag holders with recyclable paper inserts that attendees return to event organizers for reuse at future events) 

• Made from recycled materials 

• In compliance with the UNL Foam Free Campus policy.

Purchase Sustainable Giveaway Items 

If giving away items, promote sustainability by purchasing giveaway items that are (select all that apply):

• Useful to the attendees and not likely to be thrown away after the event, or certificates for experiences or services from local businesses. 

• Made from recycled materials

Resources

• Ensure compliance with UNL’s Supplemental Pay and Awards Policy by reviewing the guidelines for giveaways for university employees.

Ensure Effective Waste Disposal 

• Communicate instructions to attendees for waste reduction and proper recycling at the event or train event volunteers to monitor waste bins and provide hands-on instruction to attendees about waste disposal.

• For events producing minimal amounts of waste, rely on existing recycling infrastructure and signage, like All in the Hall. 

• For events producing significant amounts of waste, provide clear signage for the different waste streams being produced.

  • In academic buildings, contact the Facilities Service Desk to request labeled waste receptacles to be delivered by Custodial Services. 

  • For events held outdoors or in auxiliary buildings, such as the Nebraska Union, coordinate with Student Life to organize a plan for collecting landfill and recyclable waste.

Resources

• Review UNL’s Recycling Guide. 

• Contact the Office of Sustainability for assistance or resources for recycling on campus.

• Work with UNL Print and Mail Services to source sustainable giveaway items.

Choose a Sustainable Venue 

• Provide a virtual option for non-local attendees or presenters. 

• Hold the event in an outdoor space. 

Promote Alternative Transportation Options 

• Hold the event in a location with access to sustainable transportation options (e.g., nearby bus routes or bike racks). Provide information to attendees on sustainable transportation options. 

• If traveling is required during the event, coordinate sustainable transportation options such as a bus, van, carpooling or rideshares.

Resources

• Filter by Outdoor Event Spaces on the Student Affairs Reserve Your Space webpage. 

• Refer to UNL’s Parking and Transit Services website for bus routes and the BikeLNK website for bikeshare locations and access. 

• Review the Sustainable Event Toolbox for suggested language for promoting sustainable transportation options.

Ensure Proper Accommodations 

• Prior to the event, allow registrants to share if they need any accommodations to be able to fully participate, such as:

  • Sign-language interpretation, captions, and/or an assistive listening device

  • Accessible parking near the venue

  • Wheelchair accessible seating and seating for attendees with limited mobility 

• Provide a microphone for presenters to use. 

• If serving food, accommodate attendees with dietary restrictions or allergies.

Enhance Digital Accessibility 

• Design all digital materials to be accessible: 

  • Provide alternate text for images so individuals using a screen reader understand the purpose of the image. 

  • Ensure the contrast between text and the background is high enough so people who experience blindness, low vision, or color-blindness can read the text. 

  • Use a font size that is large enough to be legible. 

• Ensure that virtual events will follow digital accessibility standards such as: 

  • Enable closed captioning if using a video-call platform. 

  • Record presentations for those unable to attend

Resources

• Review UNL’s Disability Resources support options. 

• Review UNL’s Sign Language Interpreting Services if applicable. 

• Review UNL Libraries’ Guide for Digital Accessibility. 

• Reach out to UNL Institutional Equity and Compliance with additional questions.

Incorporate Wellness Breaks 

Structure breaks and opportunities for wellness activities into the event (select all that apply):  

• Schedule breaks to occur at least every 90 minutes.

• Ensure the venue has a quiet space for attendees to use as needed.

• Point out restrooms and water bottle filling stations to attendees.

Resources

• Consider adding a Chair Yoga practice through HealthierU.

• Highlight the Well-being Collective to students.

• Highlight the Employee Assistance Program and the HealthierU Employee Wellness program to faculty and staff.

There may be additional actions taken to make the event more sustainable. To earn bonus points for these unique actions, make sure to highlight them in the Innovative Action section of the Sustainable Event Form.