CONTENTS |  | Letter from the Chair | | Principles | | Endorsers | | Practices | | Actions | | The Building | | Transportation | | Meetings & Conferences | | Money Matters | | | | | Location Investigate alternatives to a physical gathering such as conference calls, video hookups, or electronic conferencing. If a conference is necessary, try to select a site which has a recycling program in place, uses energy efficient lighting and appliances, and uses water conserving toilets, showerheads, and outdoor watering systems. Make these criteria known to site managers so that they will become increasingly aware that environmental considerations have an impact on their bookings. top Travel Choose a site easily accessible by mass transportation systems. Look for sites which allow for some form of environmental excursions, such as hiking or boating, which foster environmental awareness and appreciation of natural flora, fauna, and geology; or alternatively, consider the possibility of having the meeting in a setting which demonstrates environmental racism and injustice. Provide arrangements for people to travel in groups. Look into using buses or other forms of mass transportation. Plan meetings and conferences with other events in mind, to reduce overall travel. Discourage the use of passenger cars, especially rental cars to and from the airport. Provide other options. top Food Foods should be grown and purchased locally to support organic and low chemical output producers, and to reduce transportation. Informed choices are important when planning menus. Understand the potential environmental ramifications of serving meat, fish, or any other food. Sack or box lunches should be put into reusable or recyclable containers, and packaging should be kept at a bare minimum. Beverages should come in glass containers, first choice returnable, second recyclable. If aluminum cans are used, make sure recycling bins are on hand. Try to avoid single-serving items (e.g., sugar packets). Offer bulk-packaged products instead. Surplus food can be donated to local food banks or composted. Eat low on the food chain. top Organizations EPA-Office of Solid Waste
Planning Environmentally Aware Events
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/ non-hw/reduce/ grn-mtgs/index.htm Coop America - Eco Travel
http://www.coopamerica.org/ travel.htm top Hotels Green Hotels Association
www.greenhotels.com
Information on hotels and meeting planning Green Seal's Hotel Green Buying Guide
Order from AH&MA
800.752.4567
Addresses purchasing and procurement issues faced by hotels, motels, and others in the hospitality and lodging industry top Food EarthSave International
1509 Seabright Avenue, Suite B1
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831.423.0293• 831.423.1313 fax
www.earthsave.org
Information@EarthSave.org
Information on food choices that are healthy for people and the planet VegSource
http://www.vegsource.com/ veg_faq/environment.htm
Environmental reasons to consider eating vegetarian http://www.vegsource.com/travel/
Travel & dining advice for vegetarians top |
