WM Celebrates Earth Day Creating Zero Waste Luncheon

In 2012, Waste Management (WM) embarked upon an exciting new partnership with the Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF). When the school district built a new STEM High School, Waste Management funded the STEM curriculum.

On earth day last week (April 23), Waste Management sponsored the Legacy for Learning annual luncheon and facilitated their first zero waste event. It was no small task - there were 685 guests at the luncheon!

To create a zero waste event, WM’s public outreach and education staff worked with LWSF’s event staff and student volunteers to:

• Advise event coordinators on zero waste planning processes;

• Facilitate sustainable choices for the event (from start to finish);

• Maximize staff/volunteer engagement through training in advance and hands-on assistance during the event; and

• Formalize the event’s results with summary reporting

As part of the planning, WM identified reusable, recyclable and compostable materials that could be utilized at the luncheon.

REUSABLE

• Sponsor banners

• Cloth napkins (rented)

• Luncheon plates, glassware, silverware (rented)

• Carpet (rented)

• Directional signage and arrows were laminated for use at future events

• Catering staff used metal lids on the chafing dishes (vs. plastic wrap)

• Salad dressing for each table were presented in lab test tube beakers, which were washed and donated after the event

• Guest ‘swag’ was provided in a WM reusable tote and all of the other sponsor-provided giveaways are reusable, recyclable or compostable

• Unserved food was taken to the staff room following the event

• Stage and event décor was a combination of potted trees and plants

• Table number sign holders were bamboo and laundry pegs

RECYCLABLE

• Cooking oil used to prepare food was collected and dropped off for recycling

• Student volunteers collected and brought recyclables to sorting stations

• Clean plastic bags and film were set aside and taken to a grocery store for recycling

COMPOSTABLE

• Table Captain gifts/centerpieces were made from WA apples (edible, sharable, compostable)

• Special compost stations and signs in and around the facility directed guests to compost paper towels

• Student volunteers collected and brought left-overs to compost sorting stations

REDUCING FOOD WASTE

• To-go style dessert – Metropolitan Market cookie in to-go bag

• Bread sticks vs basket of bread rolls (just enough for the table!)

The event was a huge a success and the only garbage collected were kitchen gloves, bathroom trash and carpet tape. After separating and weighing all of the event-generated recycling, compost and garbage, organizers accomplished a 96% diversion rate! On a per guest basis, there was only 0.05 lbs. of garbage produced. That is less than one ounce of garbage generated per guest!

On earth day and every day, we celebrate the Foundation’s commitment to sustainability. If you would like to learn how to create a zero waste event, please contact Waste Management at rfreedma@wm.com