The Three R’s
REDUCE
Avoid disposable or short-lived freebies, party favors, handouts, and gifts. (This Swag Hierarchy from Post-Landfill Action Network provides some useful tips & tricks.)
Consider non-material alternatives, such as gift certificates to local establishments, vouchers or discount codes, coupons, e-books, seeds, digital gift bags, etc.
If you do provide physical gifts or freebies, explore sustainable, reusable, and/or recycled options, like these. Contact sellers to request minimal packaging in your orders.
Do not automatically distribute freebies - allow guests to take what they want and leave or return what they don’t want.
Work with sponsors to limit their distribution of swag.
Plan event activities that don’t require material items, or rent games & activity equipment.
Prepare an appropriate amount of food.
For smaller gatherings and parties, use this Guestimator tool to estimate how much food to prepare.
For larger events, use food preparation calculators like this or catering planners like this.
Keep track of the amount of leftovers after the event and include this in your calculations for your next event.
REUSE
Decorate with repurposed and reusable items.
Missoula Event Rentals has decorations like disco balls, decorative lights, and tablecloths that you can rent. Here are more local decor rental resources.
Swap out disposable balloons for reusable lanterns.
Potted plants make lovely decorations and party favors!
For smaller events where food vendors will not be applicable, use reusable dishware. The Jeannette Rankin Peace Center Dish Pantry is an option as well as thrifting or using your own.
Encourage guests to bring reusable water bottles.
Bring surplus food home, send home with guests (encourage them to BYO containers!), or donate applicable items.
Set up a table for guests to return badge/ID holders, lanyards, site maps, freebies, and other items that can be reused at future events.
Consider your Zero Waste goal in your merchandise choices. Try to sell items that are durable and useful, likely to be reused, thrifted, locally-made, and/or made out of repurposed or recycled materials.
When on-site screen printing is an option, purchase thrifted t-shirts and/or encourage guests to bring their own apparel for branding.
When possible, avoid branding items (like t-shirts, lanyards, mugs, etc.) with the event date, so guests are more likely to reuse them and you can use them in the future.
RECYCLE
Compost all food scraps, food-soiled paper, and BPI-certified food serviceware.
Recycle all materials that can be.
Plastics #1 & #2, metal, paper, cardboard, and glass (with special collection).