The USD Green Event Certification Program is intended to guide and inspire more sustainable events hosted by USD departments and organizations. By participating in this program, departments/organizations can help USD lower its ecological footprint and set a positive example for the USD community. The process will walk you through sustainable actions in regards to marketing, food, waste, energy, transportation, decor, giveaways, and social justice.
How to Green Certify Your Event
Review Certification Form
Use the USD Green Events Certification form to guide you throughout your event planning, learn about more sustainable options, and help you make more sustainable decisions. Use the reference tabs to read more details on sustainable suggestions.
Contact the Office of Sustainability
Contact the Office of Sustainability at sustainability@sandiego.edu to let us know you will be pursing a Green Event Certification. A student assistant will reach out to offer guidance and help with questions or requests.
Earn Points
The student assistant will send you a personalized Green Event Certification form. Enter "Points Earned" in the corresponding column to receive points for your sustainability efforts.
Send Form for Review
Once completed, e-mail sustainability@sandiego.edu a link to your form to receive credit and recognition for your efforts!
The office will review the form and send you a 'logo' to include on your event materials or presentation, recognizing your event has been Green Event Certified, with the appropriate rating: bronze, silver, gold, or platinum.
Provide Feedback
Provide our office with feedback on our new program so we can continue to improve it.
Certification Levels
In order for your event to become bronze certified it must meet the following requirements:
- Will provide both landfill and recycling bins
- Will serve at least one vegetarian and/or vegan food option (if food is served)
- Paper handouts will be minimized
- Guests will be informed on proper waste disposal
- Recognition will be made regarding the Green Event Certification Level and some green aspects of the event
If your event will have food, select an additional...
- 15 points for a silver rating
- 30 points for a gold rating
- 45 points for a platinum rating
If your event will NOT have food, select an additional...
- 10 points for a silver rating
- 15 points for a gold rating
- 25 points for a platinum rating
To receive a higher level certification, select tasks from the below categories.
Points are indicated in parentheses after each task
- All promotion will be paperless/done digitally or no promotion will occur (3)
- Any paper used in marketing will be scrap/reused paper (2)
- Any 'new' paper used in marketing will be made of at least 70% recycled-content (1)
- Multiple promotional flyers will be printed on one sheet of paper, instead of full-page flyers (1)
- RSVPing to the event will be required in order to get a more accurate headcount for ordering food, thus minimizing potential food waste (2)
- Food will be ordered from a sustainable vendor and/or locally sourced (1)
- Food will be buffet style and/or have minimal packaging (not individually wrapped portions) (3)
- Fair trade certified beverages/snacks will be provided (1)
- The menu will provide several vegetarian/vegan options (2)
- The menu will not include beef (1)
- There will be a plan for leftovers (e.g., compost, invite students to eat leftovers) (3)
- Will use reusable dishware/ Will not use dishware (2)
- Will use reusable utensils/ Will not use utensils (2)
- Will use reusable cups/ Will not use cups (2)
- Will use reusable napkins/ Will not use napkins (2)
- Will use plates, utensils, cups, and/or napkins made from recycled content (1)
- No plastic water bottles will be purchased; water coolers/pitchers will be used (2)
- Will provide landfill, recycling, and compost bins with proper signage (2)
- "Trash Talkers" will be present at the event (contact Office of Sustainability 2 weeks in advance) (3)
- Reusable tablecloths will be used; or, no tablecloths will be used (2)
- Will utilize all natural (no artificial) lighting (3)
- Will switch devices off/unplug anything when not in use (2)
- Event will be held on campus (3)
- Alternative travel options and information will be shared with attendees prior to the event (e.g. bike parking, EV stations, MTS accessibility) (2)
- Carpooling and alternative transportation options will be encouraged/utilized (1)
- Event is open to all campus community members (2)
- Event will be focused on an environmental, multicultural, or equity-related topic (3)
- Attendees will be encouraged to donate to a nonprofit or community organization at the event (e.g. canned food, clothing, monetary donation, etc.) (3)
- Event will be wheelchair accessible (2)
- Signs and/or banners will be handcrafted and made from reused or recycled content (0.5)
- Will utilize natural décor (minimize decorations) (0.5)
- Flower/Plant arrangements will be locally sourced and in season (1)
- Décor will be reusable and saved for future use (or donated) (1)
- Majority of giveaways will promote a sustainable practice (0.5)
Green Event Kit
Will your event be 40 guests or less?
Reserve (for free!) a Green Event Kit by contacting the Office of Sustainability at sustainability@sandiego.edu. Note that you will be responsible for washing the plates, cups, and flatware, before returning the items.
Kit contents include:
- Large, Medium, and Small Plates. These plates are BPA free and made of 100% recycled materials. They are sturdy, have a beveled edge, and a carrying lip.
- Cups. 16 oz. each
- Forks, Spoons, and Knives. Stainless steal
- Serving Spoons, Forks, and Tongs. Stainless steel
- Compost bin and bag. Collect food scraps, and a representative of the Office of Sustainability will empty the bin in one of the on-campus food waste bins after the event.
- List of "checked out" items. This will remind you what needs to be back in the bin before it is returned. We encourage you to only check out what you expect to use, as to lighten the load and minimize risk of misplacing an item.
- Carrying bin. This will keep all of the above content together.
- Dolly. You can use this to transport the carrying bin. It is lightweight and collapsible.