Greenish Up Your Next Party!

Green Events Guide (Wake County)

Download a PDF of this guide HERE >

It's time to celebrate in a way that shows we care about how we treat our planet. Here are some tips for making your luncheon, snack break, meeting, event or reception a bit more environmentally sustainable.

  • Think through the logistics of your event all the way through to waste disposal and have that inform your purchases and event flow

  • Communicate ahead of time that you intend to reduce waste and encourage attendees to bring a reusable tumbler, coffee cup, water bottle, etc.

  • Try to get a good estimate of attendees and buy just the food you need. This will help reduce food waste and expenses from over purchasing.

  • Choose products with the most sustainable packaging that can be recycled or composted, like cardboard and aluminum. Avoid plastic packaging whenever possible, as very little is recyclable.

  • Buy organic and locally grown food options to support a more sustainable food system with your purchasing power.

  • Bring your own grocery bags and produce bags on your shopping trip to avoid needing single-use plastic bags.

  • Check your local store for bulk items like candy or cookies and bring your own reusable container to fill.

  • Many facilities have water bottle filling stations and often people carry their own reusable water bottles. Adding cases of plastic wrapped single-use plastic water bottles usually isn't necessary and creates a great deal of avoidable waste. Check to see what’s available, before purchasing water.

  • Provide drinks that are in recyclable packaging. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable and cardboard cases are preferable to any type of plastic packaging. Avoid juice boxes and pouches as they contain tiny straws and are not typically recyclable.

  • If you serve plastic drink containers, empty the remaining liquid and twist the cap back on for recycling.

  • Compostable cups can be used if drinks are poured from a single large container. Just be sure they're composted after your event.

Reusable

  • Consider the size of your event and see if you can provide reusable plates, cups or utensils, or consider renting for larger events. Local rental pricing can be found at https://www.grandrentalnc.com/

  • Check supply closets to see if there are already reusable plates, trays, platters and serving utensils available.

  • Invest in sturdy reusable, machine washable tablecloths to avoid single-use plastic table covers.

  • For those in or close to Cary, check availability of the local service Get Together Green to borrow reusable utensils and tablecloths for FREE. https://firstcary.com/creationcare/get-together-green/ 

Compostable

  • If you are able to ensure that items are composted at the end of the event, choose compostable service items over single-use plastics, and over the even more environmentally challenging option, Styrofoam. Compostables may cost more than regular plastic, but they can be commercially composted into nutrient rich soil amendments. However, if they were to end up in a landfill, they will NOT be able to break down, just like their plastic counterparts.

  • Purchasing compostables: 

    • Compostables are now readily available online or at many stores, but care must be taken to ensure that a product labeled as compostable is truly compostable. Most industrial compost facilities and drop off programs require items to be BPI certified or ASTM D6400/D6868. Check your particular composting program’s accepted list, before purchasing. 

    • Where to purchase compostable service items:

    • Closing the Loop/Local Composting Options:

      • If your facility is already composting, ask if you can add event waste to those collection carts. 

      • Wake County residents can take small to medium bags of compostables to a Wake County Convenience Center that provides commercial composting collection. Town of Cary residents can take compostable food waste to the Citizen’s Convenience Center in Downtown Cary. For information on this service visit the Food Waste Recycling Webpage. 

      • Contact Greenish Neighbor with questions about making sure your event completes the composting cycle.

    • Avoid purchasing napkins that have metallic embellishments. Most other napkins are compostable. Consider providing cloth napkins that can be washed and reused.

  • Invest in a fun base of decorations that can be used at numerous events and establish a storage location. 

  • Ask others if you can borrow their decorations or search a “buy nothing” or “buy, sell, trade” group on social media.

  • Avoid helium balloons particularly at outdoor events. Keep a supply of eco-friendly alternatives like colorful reusable paper lanterns.

  • Rent party decor for a higher-quality look and feel for your event.

  • Accent your decor with natural elements that can be put back into nature or composted when the party's over.

  • Your first consideration should be to reduce the amount of stuff that is used once and thrown away. The next best solution is using compostable products. Final consideration should be recycling before using items that contribute to the landfill.

  • Free Waste Bins for Recycling, Compost and Landfill are available on loan from the Wake County Event Recycling & Bin Loan Program. Just let them know the date of the event and how many people are expected. Borrowers are responsible for pick up and drop off and proper disposal of the waste. Wake County provides plenty of guidance in addition to the bins, signage and bags.

  • Many facilities have recycling bins available on site. Typical event items used that can be recycled are: cardboard boxes, plastic drink and single-use water bottles (with caps twisted back on), drink cans, chipboard (like the boxes soda cans come in), large butter/cream cheese tubs (with a quick rinse).

  • Make a plan for items that are hard to recycle and cannot go in a recycle bin. Have a designated bin available to collect these items. Here are some tips on where to take specific items: 

    • Plastic grocery bags, bread/bun bags, plastic film (like the type that comes on paper towels and water bottle cases) - take to your grocery store plastic collection bins. (Tip - If it is stretchy when you try to rip it, it can go in the store bins.)

    • Chip bags (single serving or family sized), protein bars, snack wrappers – take to your local Subaru Dealer. There is usually a Terracycle bin for chip/snack packaging in the lounge area. Call your local Subaru dealer to inquire.

    • Food Waste – take to Wake County Convenience Center 2, 4, 7 or 8. For more information visit the Wake County Waste and Recycling page.

    • Some Styrofoam - https://sustainability.publix.com/storefront/customer-recycling/

  • When providing items that can be recycled or composted, have bins visible with volunteers to help manage sorting.

  • Share best practices with others about how you reduce waste at events to help create a community wide shift in behavior. 

This guide was created in collaboration with Toward Zero Waste.

Visit WWW.TOWARDZEROWASTE.ORG to learn more about this great NC based non-profit!

Greenish Neighbor - All Rights Reserved - 2023

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