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Food Miles Calculator (calculates distance and greenhouse gas emissions)

Planning a Green Event
Any event can be "green." So...maybe the title of this page should be "Planning an event.” The following is a checklist for any event from a large concert to a small meeting. Not all of the suggestions may apply, but be resourceful and take what you can!
It may also be quite helpful to come up with a sustainability statement. This will remind you and your organization team that you guys want to make a difference and that you are committed. A sustainability statement could be…
“We will discuss the environmental consequences of the event that we plan and will work towards reducing the consequences by being innovative and resourceful”
You can then go ahead with the checklist J

Green Event Checklist

--Waste Reduction--

□ Make effort to reduce waste during advertising:

ü Print all advertising on used paper or post-consumer recycled paper

ü Minimize the amount of paper used in advertising by directing people to a website whenever possible. This is an easy way to relay a lot of information

ü Print signage and posters on the blank side of previously used paper

ü Advertise your event through email and websites

□ Inform participants that the meeting will have a green focus and encourage them to be supportive and active

□ If your event requires pre-registration set up online registration. Contact the AMS IT office to see if it will work for your event at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

□ Avoid paper use

ü Encourage participants to bring their own paper and writing utensils (you can always have a supply on hand for those who forget)

ü Use dry erase and chalk boards instead of flip chart paper

ü Encourage Power Point presentations instead of handouts

ü If handouts are required print material on the back of previously used paper or on post-consumer or recycled paper

ü Double side any handouts

□ Sell or provide ‘Trash Books’ at the event for those people who need paper. ‘Trash Books’ are available at the Green Room

□ Encourage BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug)

□ Use reusable cup or mugs as promotion products that participants can take home and use following the event

□ Try to use the most environmentally-friendly products and services that are available

ü See what items you may need and ask the Queen’s Earth Centre if they have any of the products. You can contact This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

ü Use post-consumer paper whenever possible

ü Use eco-friendly cleaning products

--Managing Food Waste--

□ Compost food waste! This is as easy as using a garbage container and can greatly reduce the amount of waste your event produces. Contact Tim at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

□ Donate excess food to the AMS Food Bank. Contact Allison Williams at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

--Recycling--

□ Learn what types of material can be recycled at Queen’s. For a complete guide for what Queen’s recycles please visit "Physical Plant Services Guide to Recycling" at http://www.queensu.ca/pps/waste/recycti4.pdf

□ Evaluate the types of waste that your event will produce and see if you can substitute the waste that may go to the garbage with waste that can be recycled or reused.

□ Ensure that the appropriate recycling bins are present at your event. Request additional recycling and garbage containers in the “Additional Information” section of the Room Reservation Request Form at http://www.queensu.ca/jduc/roomres.html

□ Make sure participants know what can be recycled and where to recycle. This can be done by making announcements, using signs on the recycling bins such as lists of what can be recycled at Queen’s

□ Place recycling bins beside garbage cans. This prevents recyclable material from getting into the garbage and garbage from ending up in with the recycling.

□ Remind participants to recycle. There will be a number of opportunities to promote recycling to participants: during registration, opening ceremonies, or any other announcements

--Food Services--

□ Use on-campus caterers, such as The Common Ground ( This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ) or the Tearoom ( This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ). Not only will this support student run businesses, but also reduces gasoline use for delivery

□ Serve fair trade coffee and tea (available at the Common Ground and Tearoom)

□ Order cups, plates, straws, napkins and utensils from the Tearoom ( This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ). They are all biodegradable and can be composted after use

□ Eliminate excessive packaging. Try serving food in bulk (such as cheese and crackers, bagels etc) because one large package has less packaging materials than many different packages.

□ Serve finger foods to avoid the need for utensils (especially plastic ones)

□ Provide vegetarian or vegan(animal product-free) food items

□ Replace bottled water with reusable containers and bulk dispensers

□ Provide beverages in bulk whenever feasible, or in containers that are reusable or recyclable.

--Conserving Energy--

□ Seek out naturally lit rooms to conserve energy such as the Goodes Hall foyer, the Mac-Correy hallway, or the Lower Caleigh (all of which have skylights).

□ Make efforts to turn off overheads, projectors and lights when they are not being used

□ Explore the possibility of running a Carbon Neutral Conference. This can be done by offsetting carbon emissions through the purchase of carbon credits. This has the possibility of opening new doors for potential sponsorship. For further information on Carbon Neutral Conferencing, see the Federal House in Order Web site: http://www.fhio.gc.ca/?lang=En&n=9076E298-1

The Latest

Join Queen's Sustainability and the BioSci grad students outside the JDUC on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, for a BIKE CARNIVAL

Come get your bike ready for spring with a free tune-up from Cyclepath and center your bike in competitions for best decorated, sweetest wheels, and most ghetto and win great prizes!

8 PM, March 29, 2008: switch off with the rest of the world for Earth Hour

Created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.

This simple act has captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world. As a result, at 8pm March 29, 2008 millions of people in some of the world’s major capital cities, including Copenhagen, Toronto, Chicago, Melbourne, Brisbane and Tel Aviv will unite and switch off for Earth Hour.

Check out www.earthhour.org for more information

The Queen's Cross-Campus Environmental Forum is pleased to present

What's in store? With a Veggie Challenge, Garbage Warrior Screening, Bike Carnival, Alternative Energy Forum, Coffee House, P&CC Green Week, Photo Auction, Vermicomposter Tours - there is something for everyone during Earth Week_2008_-_Planet_+_People! Click here for the details.

Next cross-campus environmental forum will be TUESDAY, March 12, from 5:30-6:30 in a room TBA. Come find out how you can get involved with Queen's Earth Week: Planet and People, March 17-20 or bring up environmental concerns at Queen's! Refreshements will be served - BYOMug.

Minutes from the last meeting can be found here.

Get involved with a green operation at Queen's: The Tea Room!

Assistant manager applications for the Tea Room are available in the EngSoc lounge or here:
http://www.engsoc.queensu.ca/services/positions/tearoom . All applicants are encouraged to talk to the outgoing manager whose job they are applying for to get a better idea of what is involved in the position

Applications are due Monday March 3rd.

WASTE REDUCTION WEEK AT QUEEN'S
JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 1

Monday: Green Scheme launches PAPER WASTE AWARENESS at Stauffer

Tuesday: Tea Room running VERMICOMPOSTER TOURS at 11:30, 1:30 and 3:30 - come grab a free tea and check out our wormy friends!
RESIDENCE ENERGY CHALLENGE launch at Jean Royce Cafeteria

Wednesday: ALFIE’S NIGHT with plantatree wine
RESIDENCE ENERGY CHALLENGE launch at Ban Righ

Thursday: WASTE REDUCTION FAIR in the lower celidh in the JDUC from 10-4
-Come check out groups from across campus including a tea room waste audit, honours environmental seminar posters, the Earth Centre, and other clubs and organizations!
STRIVE/Dean SA RESIDENCE ENERGY CHALLENGE launch at Leonard

Friday: PLATE DISCOUNT awareness at the CoGro

Weeklong: Queen's Sustainability's WASTE MONSTER attacks at Stauffer
Environmental Club's SMART GROCERY / WASTE REDUCTION campaign in cafeterias
BOOK DISPLAY at Douglas library
STOP THE LONE WOLF TRASH CAN!

Check out our calendar for more details!

WHAT’S YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION?

How About Making Some Simple Choices to Reduce Your Waste?

Curious about how much waste we create through our daily snack purchases?Come check out an impressive trash-art installation that’ll show you!Visit the BioSciences Atrium at Queen’s University from Tuesday, January 15^th to Friday, January 18^th,2008 to witness a visual representation of the amount of waste we generate by accepting unnecessary packaging along with our daily coffee and muffin.This trash-turned-art project is part of an initiative to raise awareness about how much garbage we generate, how to take an proactive role in waste reduction, and how we can compel food providers on campus to do the same.

Come out to see this exciting display, learn about easy and environmentally-friendly alternatives, and have a chance to win some great prizes!

GLOBAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION!
This Saturday, December 8th the Kingston Chapter of the Council of Canadians along with the AMS Sustainability Office organized a public gathering in Market Square at noon to pressure our government to take a firm stance in Bali and create better climate care treaties!

Students met at Stauffer Library, where Dr. Smol spoke, and then we marched down to market square. Thanks to everyone who came out to make a difference and here are some fun photos!

www.climatechaos.org
www.canadians.org

CROSS-CAMPUS ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM

A great opportunity to get involved with sustainability on campus!
This is a forum for all interested students and representatives of all environmental groups on campus in order to keep everyone informed as to what other groups are doing, to foster collaboration on larger projects, like Earth Week at Queen's and lobbying the university, and to support and encourage each other.

Minutes from the fifth Environmental Forum are available here. Discussion regarded Queen's Earth Week: March 17-20

Minutes from the fourth Environmental Forum are available here. Major discussion surrounded Waste Reduction Week at Queen's: Jan 28-Feb. 1

The third forum made some exciting headway on the December 8th International day for Climate Action and January's Waste Reduction Week. Minutes are available here - please check them out to see where you can get involved in either of these initiatives.

The second forum was another great success! Thanks again to all participants! Minutes are available here. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, 5:30 JDUC - John Orr Room

The first meeting was fantastic, with over 20 groups and more than 50 participants. To find out what happened, read the minutes here.

Check out the November environmental grapevine, produced by Queen's Sustainability on behalf of all environmental groups on campus!

Interested in composting in the ghetto? Look no further!I Contact: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or visit www.ghettogreen.blogspot.com.

Within Kingston, a new magazine on environmental, spiritual and holistic health (+ more) is looking for writers, poets and other creative artists to contribute. The magazine is scheduled to launch in January.

Please contact Kyle Hoobin at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it if you are interested or go to their Facebook group for further information.

QUEEN'S IN THE PARK

Frosh groups honed their recycling sorting skills in preparation for their eco-friendly years to be spent at Queen's during the Sustainability Office's RECYCLING CHALLENGE.

Congratulations to the top groups:

Fastest Group 45, The Really Ridiculously Good-looking Frosh [not pictured due to risk of heart failure]

Most accurate Group 111, Dumbledore's Army [below]

Crtiical Mass: It's a movement ... of bicycles

Show your support for alternative transportation! Join others and bike down the streets in support of carbon-free transportation....

Last friday of every month, meet in front of the Sleepless Goat at 5:30 (bring your bike)

Next critical mass bike ride: November 30th

QUEEN'S SUSTAINABILTY NETWORK
Are you interested in the environment and sustainability?
Do you want to see your university doing more to address this important issue?
If you answered yes to these questions, you are not alone. There are hundreds of other students, faculty, university staff and community members who feel the same way. Join the Queen's Sustainability Network
please visit www.sustainablequeens.org

Success Stories

P&CC provides 100% post-consumer recycled paper and reuses all single sided paper by putting them in trashbooks

There are plenty of good PCC green products

Click for more stories

Contact Us

Sustainability Co-ordinator

Anna Tombs
Phone: (613) 533-3001 ext. 75663
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Deputies

Communications
Claire Nelischer

Campus Initiatives
Jayla Pierce

Committees (Enviro Forum, STRIVE, Queen's Sustainability)
Colin Bradley