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For all Zero Waste Event related questions, please reach out to [email protected].
Organizing a Zero Waste Event at Tufts
Organizing a zero-waste event requires planning in advance. The most waste generated from any event is
through food, plates, cups and utensils. Zero-waste events ensure all waste is diverted from landfill and helps
Tufts University continue to reach its goal of reducing waste by 3% each year.
For zero-waste event planning you will be in touch with [email protected]. This email address goes to
employees at the Tufts Office of Sustainability who work specifically on waste and recycling.
Large Events:
If your event is going to be 100 people or greater, please email [email protected] so our Zero-Waste Team can
staff the zero-waste stations at your event. Provide us with the catering company information, menu, layout of
event, and number of people a month or more in advance of the event.
Small Events (fewer than 100 people):
If it is a small event, you can use an unstaffed compost waste station with applicable signage. It is very
important to announce to the crowd at the beginning of the event where they will be disposing of their waste
when they finish eating. Explain to them that all items can go in the compost bin (if that is the case for your
event).
• Communicate with the company catering the event ahead of time that this will be a zero-waste event.
Review the menu to ensure there are no disposable and single use items and packaging provided. • The zero-waste station set up should consist of a compost bin with a compostable plastic liner. You can
often use a trash and recycling waste station already in the room, turn the trash bin into compost by
swapping out the plastic trash bag for a compost liner and cover the landfill label with a compost sign.
You can keep the recycling bin as is to complete the zero-waste station. There may be a small amount of
trash and depending on the volume, you can set a small bag aside to collect trash.
• If you need some compostable liners or signs for your event, please email [email protected] at least a
week in advance. You can also find and print signs specifically for these events on the Tufts Recycling
website in the downloadable signage section.
• Place a recycling bin and a trash bin next to the compost bin in case someone brings outside materials
that cannot be composted into the venue. Make sure your signage states that all compostable materials
from the event, including plates, bowls, napkins, cups, utensils, etc., are to be put into the compost bin.
The rest must be recycled or thrown into the trash.
• After the event is over, please tie up the compost bag(s) and bring them to one of our outside compost
toters. The toter locations are found on the Tufts Eco Map.
Zero Waste Materials Needed:
These are the following material guidelines for a zero-waste event at Tufts University:
• You should provide compostable plates, cups, and utensils. All napkins are fine to compost regardless of
their color or type.
• If the event is staffed by our Zero-Waste team, you can use regular clear plastic cups, which are
recyclable for all cold drinks. Our Zero-Waste staff will direct people to place their empty cups in the
recycling bin, and all other materials in the compost bin.
• For smaller events with unstaffed waste stations, it is recommended that you use only compostable
materials, and provide compostable clear cups, as opposed to recyclable plastic cups, for cold beverages.
For all Zero Waste Event related questions, please reach out to [email protected].
That way, you can tell your guests all materials at the serving station can be composted in the designated
compost bins, and they should not be placed in any other bin. This makes disposing of waste during the
event straightforward and easy to manage.
• If serving hot drinks, you will need compostable coffee cups as regular paper cups cannot be composted
or recycled and must be thrown into the trash. This is helpful for coffee breaks, especially when Zero
Waste Monitors are not available to staff them during large events.
• Make sure that all compostable materials are BPI and/or ASTM certified. If the description states
that the items are compostable in an industrial composting facility, but does not necessarily show a
certification symbol, they are also acceptable.
o Note: if the description says the product is made from post-consumer and recycled material, this
does not mean they are compostable, and you must avoid these products. Make sure to look for
the compostable symbols on the products. o In addition to post-consumer materials, anything labeled as being made from Plant Starch
Material (PSM), is not compostable despite its name and must be avoided.
• The symbols below help you identify whether these items are certified and can be composted:
o This is the BPI symbol:
o This is the ASTM symbol:
How to Find Compostable Products as Faculty and Staff:
• If you are faculty/staff and have access to the Tufts Marketplace, you can purchase zero-waste event
materials through the W.B. Mason online portal.
• How to search for compostable products on W.B. Mason’s website: o Go to “Shop”, then “Food Service”, then “Disposables”
For all Zero Waste Event related questions, please reach out to [email protected].
• Use the filters on the left side of the screen. First select the category you are looking for, such as
“Plates & Bowls”. Then select “Green Items” under “Go Green!” where you will find a variety of
products. We highly recommend looking for brands such as Eco-Products, Green Wave,
EarthChoice, Stalk Market and Better Earth.
• Some products very clearly state they are compostable because the description says they are ASTM
or BPI certified.
For all Zero Waste Event related questions, please reach out to [email protected].
• Other products show the BPI symbol, so you know it is BPI-certified.
• You may find products that say “Compostable”, but do not mention BPI or ASTM certification.
Other product descriptions may also state things like:
o “Compostable in commercial facilities only”, which may not exist in your area.
o “Made from compostable, fully renewable CPLA bioplastic”.
o “Third-party verified compostable” (alluding to BPI and ASTM third parties).
o For these products where it is less clear if the item is BPI/ASTM certified, do a quick Google
search on the brand of the item. Go to the company’s website, and make sure it has the BPI
symbol, or says BPI/ASTM certified somewhere on the product catalog before purchasing.
Or you can email [email protected] to check on the specific item.
• Example product numbers of materials that clearly state they are compostable on WB Mason’s site: o Compostable plates: W.B. Mason Item - ECOEPP013PK; GNWGSP008 o Compostable bowls: W.B. Mason Item – ECOEPBL12PK; ECOEPBL12 o Compostable spoons: W.B. Mason Item – BTTBESMW; STMCPLA003 o Compostable forks: W.B. Mason Item – BTTBEFMW; STMCPLA002 o Compostable knives: W.B. Mason Item – BTTBEKMB; STMCPLA001 o Compostable cold cups: W.B. Mason Item – ECOEPCC12GS; ECOEPCC9SGSPK;
PCTYPLA9C o Compostable hot cups: W.B. Mason Item – ECOEPBHC8WA
For Zero Waste Events When Ordering Through Tufts Catering:
• Tufts Catering has provided for numerous zero-waste events in the past and is well equipped to cater
them.
• Inform Tufts Catering about the zero-waste requirement of your event. Let them know that this event
requires compostable plates, utensils, cups, napkins, etc. You may need to pay an extra fee for these
items if Tufts Catering is providing the materials. Make sure to remind Tufts Catering that the items
must be BPI and/or ASTM certified to be compostable.
For all Zero Waste Event related questions, please reach out to [email protected].
• Note: An ideal zero waste event should forgo all disposable items altogether and only use reusable
dishware and utensils. This may have an increased cost when going through Tufts Catering.
Zero waste event when ordering through outside catering*:
*If you are using multiple catering companies, specify with [email protected] which catering companies you
are using and include all applicable menus for the event.
• If the catering company will be providing all necessary materials (plates, etc.), give them the Zero Waste
Materials Needed guidelines from above to aid them in providing you with the correct items.
• If you will be providing the materials, make sure to also follow the Zero Waste Materials Needed
guidelines when making your purchases. These products can easily be found online. Some common
compostable goods brands are: Eco-Products, Earth Choice Packaging, Green Paper Products and World
Centric. o Additional brands: Better Earth, Green Wave, Green Works, Nature House, Stalk Market and
Stout.
• The caterer should provide the following well in advance of the event:
o A detailed, itemized list and inventory of all items they plan to bring to the event (including
food, utensils and plates, serving materials, and other supplies). This should be sent to
[email protected] for approval, to make sure no wasteful items are brought to the event and that
the above specifications are adhered to.
• The caterer should provide the following the day of:
o Cloth tablecloths (NOT disposable paper or plastic ones)
o Beverage Cambro’s (NOT individual bottles of water or single serve beverage cartons)
o Condiment stations with bulk condiments, including bottles of ketchup, mustard, relish, barbeque
sauce, hot sauce, salad dressing and large, multi-serving salt & pepper shakers (NO individually
packaged condiments)
Example Zero Waste Station Setup:
For all Zero Waste Event related questions, please reach out to [email protected].
Compostable Plates/Bowls, Utensils, and Cups:
Zero Waste Alternatives to Single Use Packaging:
