Meeting facilities can “Go Green” by following the guidelines below:

Pre-Event

• Communicate via e-mail rather than traditional mail or memos.
• Use an online registration system.
• Make two-sided copies.
• Limit the use of paper or use recycled paper.
• Limit the use of promotional material and items.  Do not hand out a conference bag. If you must have a bag, make sure it is constructed of recycled materials.

Handouts

• Print on recycled paper with vegetable-based ink.
• Publish the registration brochure and information about the meeting online only. Limit speaker handouts.

Food and Beverage

• Serve items such as cream and sugar in bulk containers.
• Provide water in pitchers or large bottled water stations instead of individual bottles.
• Donate consumable items to a local food bank.
• Use local and sustainable food products.
• Implement recycling.
• Use cloth instead of paper napkins and cutlery instead of plastic utensils.
• Eliminate the use of disposable items, especially Styrofoam and plastic bottles.

Meeting Facility

• Use group transportation to and from the airport.
• Choose a hotel within walking distance of the convention center.
• Eliminate shuttles.
• Educate attendees about public transportation and walking routes.
• Encourage attendees to car pool if going out at night.
• Encourage attendees to turn off all electrical devices while in not in use.
• Encourage attendees to reuse their linens and towels.

Facility Management

• Request a linen reuse program.
• Request bulk amenities and make sure consumable amenities are not replaced daily.
• Light and temperature sensors to turn off lights and air conditioning.
• Use of fluorescent lighting throughout facility.
• Provide bins for recycling paper, bottles, cans, and cardboard
• Use of live plants in the facility.
• Encourage use of solar and wind power.
• Use of energy efficient equipment with a system to turn off equipment when not in use.
• Encourage hybrid vehicles for transportation
• Encourage a compost program.
• Install reducers on water systems like showers, toilets, etc.
• Use of a cut-off system for landscape sprinklers when rain falls.
• Encourage management to have a commute program for employees.
• Encourage to have a plastic recyclable program.
• Provide employees with information  about green initiatives
• Motivate your employees to come up with new ways to save.