Sustainable Clark Zero Waste Event Guidelines
It’s easy to have a Zero Waste Event at Clark because we can recycle and compost so many materials.
Below you will find steps to Zero Waste, product selections to go greener, and a list of what goes where.
Follow these 5 easy steps to Zero Waste!
1. Plan ahead: Use only materials we can compost or recycle. Think when purchasing or ordering.
There is a handy reference list below. Ask Eco Reps to be your ‘event consultant’.
2. Set up for success: Make sure you have containers to collect recycling and compost.
Bins marked ‘compost’, ’bottles & cans’ and ‘paper’ can be borrowed from meeting rooms in the
University Center. Cluster the containers together so people have a choice. Please return the
containers after your event so others can use them, too!
3. Hide the landfill (garbage) can. If people don’t see it, they will use the recycling & compost bins
they can see and learn something in the process. And besides, you won’t need it!
4. Teamwork: Engage event attendees in ‘getting to zero’. Use signs or better yet make an
announcement. Make it a fun challenge everyone can help with! Ask Eco Reps to help train your
team in Zero Waste: [email protected]
5. Post-event: Count how many bags of recyclables and compost you have. Count how many bags
of landfill you have. Let everyone know how well they did at getting to Zero!
One more thing… Please transfer bags of compostable materials to the UC main hall, right next to the
large bin by the stairs. Clark custodians will move your compost from there. This will help our hardworking custodians out and prevent potential odor issues.
If you have any questions regarding how to manage your own Zero Waste Event, please ask Sustainable
Clark or Clark’s Eco Reps. We even have big (reusable) Zero Waste Event signs you can borrow!
If your event is being catered by Clark Dining Services Catering, they offer many of the Zero Waste
product selections below in their standard service or on request.
Product Selection
The deepest shade of green involves people bringing their own place setting. The next deepest shade of
green involves re-using ‘real’ china, glass & silver or good-quality plastic. (Note that this option must
adhere to proper sanitation codes for washing and storage!)
Bulk service is much greener than single-serving packets. Always use appropriate serving utensils when
offering food or beverage items in bulk.
YOU HAVE…
Plates & bowls
GOOD
recyclable plastic
BETTER
paper
Hot cups
lined paper
paper
BEST
reusable
washable
china
personal
reusable,
refillable
washable
china
personal mug
NEVER! EVER!
styrofoam
styrofoam
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YOU HAVE…
Cold cups
GOOD
recyclable plastic
BETTER
paper
Napkins
paper, dinner size
paper, cocktail size
Eating utensils
recyclable plastic
Leftover food
compost
Service ware
(dishes & utensils)
recyclable plastic
spud or corn ware*
plastic, save &
reuse
compost
take home
foil
wood stirrers
Covers
waxed paper
Beverages, cold
single-serve alum.
cans
plastic bottles (612 oz.)
Beverages, hot
Condiments
(sugar, ketchup,
butter, etc.)
coffee box
coffee box
plastic/foilwrapped electric kettle
teabags
paper-wrapped
teabags
recyclable plastic
wood
recyclable plastic
spud or corn ware
bagged
bucket refilled
from ice machine
large bag, in a
large bag, in a
serving bowl
serving bowl
individual servings individual servings
in plastic cups
in paper cups
paper packets
Publicity
large color posters
Stirrers
Straws
Ice
Chips
waxed paper
parchment paper
aluminum foil
larger bottles
BEST
reusable
washable glasses
own water bottles
napkin dispenser
none
personal cloth
reusable
silverware
personal
none
NEVER! EVER!
styrofoam
reusable
washable
china, metal
silverware
reusable
styrofoam
pitchers
carafe
carboys
coolers
bulk containers
hot water carafe
coffee maker
single-serve
water
paper towels
landfill (garbage)
saran wrap
plastic film
k-cups
reusable spoon
none
in the pitcher
large bag, in a
serving bowl
bulk service (jar)
individual packets
individual
plasticized “foil”
packets
½ sheet b&w or
electronic
cheap plastic giveuse back side of
word of mouth
away items (pen,
printed paper
re-usable banner
keychain, etc.)
RSVP
electronic
electronic
None
separate insert
Sign- In Sheet
pre-printed, multi- scrap paper on a
Electronic
individual forms
line form
clipboard
Nametags
peel-off paper
masking tape &
reusable
sharpie markers
*Clark Dining Services may have available for re-sale to you; provided with catered events.
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What Goes Where
If it was ever alive, it can be composted. (Paper is made from trees).
If it contained something, it can probably be recycled.
If in doubt, throw it out. But check this list first!
COMPOST
Food scraps
Leftovers
Bread
Meat
Bones
Liquids, sauces, condiments
Paper
Paper Cups, used
Plastic-lined cups
Plates
Napkins
Paper towels
Sugar packets
Wooden stirrers
Spud or corn ware
Milk & juice cartons
Waxed paper
Newspaper
RECYCLE
Bottles
Cans
Jars
Containers
Lids
Coffee lids
Plastic silverware
Plastic cups
Straws
Aluminum foil
Foil pans
Plastic containers
Tupperware-type containers
Cardboard
Pizza boxes
Hard plastic, all kinds
(cannot easily squish in one hand)
Styrofoam
Styrofoam cups
LANDFILL
Plastic bags & wrappers
Saran wrap
Plastic film
Chip bags
Candy wrappers
Soft plastic, all kinds
(can easily squish in one hand)
Please empty bottles & cans and rinse or scrape out containers before putting them in the recycling.
Remember that our student Recycling Crew hand-sort all recyclables; a little respect goes a long way.
go all the way…to zero waste!
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