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Make your event sustainable
An NUS study has showed that over 80% of students want their university to be sustainable. We share some easy switches to reduce your environmental impact when organising events.
1 August 2023
Events are forward facing and usually make up our audiences view of whether UCL is sustainable or not.
Plastic-free
- Communicate UCL's single use plastic goals to attendees;
- Avoid single use plastic promotional items or gifts given out at the event;
- Avoid plastic decorations or promotional materials;
- Consider whether you need to give out free items at the event.
Transport
- Let your attendees know how to get to your event by public transport, cycling or walking;
- Send them information on shower/cycling facilities and water fountains.
> Find out more about Sustainable travel at UCL.
Sustainable food and drink
- Provide vegetarian food where possible;
- Provide segregated bins for mixed recycling and food waste;
- Encourage attendees to bring their own cup and / or water bottle and provide refill stations;
- Use reusable plates, cups, cuttlery;
- Avoid individual sachets for sugar for milk.
> Read more on how to order sustainable catering.
'Powered by Plants' is a UCL-wide campaign to reduce the carbon footprint associated with UCL's catering.
> Read more about Powered by Plants.
Procurement
2/3rds of UCL's carbon emissions come from the goods and services that UCL buys. It is therefore critical we understand the impact and opportunities of UCL’s sourcing and buying decisions.
> Follow our Responsible Procurement Guidance.
Collaborate with student groups
Zero Food Waste is a project at UCL that re-distributes food from where it is in excess to where it is scarce: from UCL cafés to homeless people. Contact them to see if they can redistribute food from your events.
UCL Conservation Group have launched a campaign against single-use plastics called Plastic Free UCL. Contact them for tips on how to go plastic-free at your events.
UCell can power your events using hydrogen. Why not contact UCell to see if they can collaborate by providing clean energy and inspiring activities?
> UCell.
What else?
- Reduce paper - Send paperwork electronically ahead of the event so that you don’t have to print it out.
- Use FSC-certified paper and cardboard when printing is necessary for signage and information.
- Switch off - Designate someone to switch projectors off post-event.
- Fairtrade – we encourage the use of UCL catering for events, which provide Fairtrade options across a full range of food and drink items.
- Avoid plastic alternatives as they do more harm than good.
- Score your event - download our single-use plastic use event scorecard to find out how sustainable your event is and share your results using the link below.
Upload your single-use plastic use scorecard →
Got any further questions about making your event environmentally responsible, or have ideas you'd like to share? Please email us at sustainableucl@ucl.ac.uk.
