Tips for greening holiday events

Food:

• When possible, purchase from local restaurants and caterers with environmental certifications.  
• If catering, ask the caterer not to use plastic or Styrofoam packaging.
• If preparing meals, source as much as possible locally and organically.
• Try to reduce use of meat and offer vegetarian and vegan choices. 
• If serving seafood, use the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch app to assess sustainability.
  
• Try to avoid all singly wrapped items - such as bags of chips or wrapped cookies.
• Label foods to help guests choose and to visually illustrate your sustainability efforts. 
• Have a plan for using and sharing leftover food. 
  
  • Have a friend who can compost? Ask them to take home food scraps. 
    
  • Have friends with pets? Ask them if they would like a doggie 'bag'. 

Drinks:

• Provide containers of tap water or access to tap water.
• If possible, avoid offering any drinks in plastic bottles. 
• Ask participants to bring their reusable water bottles and coffee mugs in your invitation.
• If serving coffee, use containers of cream and sugar. Try to avoid all single-use supplies. 
• If serving coffee, buy from companies that are fair trade and environmentally friendly, such as those that are Rainforest Alliance certified. 

Supplies:

• Use reusable kitchenware.
• Strive to avoid using plastic, whenever possible. 
• If other forks, knives, and spoons are needed, use compostable products. 
• Use cold cups made from plants that are 100% compostable (such as Greenware). 
• Use hot cups that are compostable (avoid all Styrofoam).
• Provide napkins and plates that are 100% recycled paper and compostable.  

Gifts:

• If providing gifts to a large group, consider items that can be regularly used to reduce environmental impacts. These include: reusable grocery bags; reusable water bottles; reusable hot drink mugs; and t-shirts made from recycled plastic. 
• Consider a digital 'goodie bag' - coupons, free items, cards, tickets, etc.
• For smaller events and personal gifts, consider giving activities, such as tickets to events or annual passes to local museums. 
• Instead of purchasing decorations, use small potted plants and then give them to guests.  

Please send additional suggestions to engage@engageglobally.org.