HomeMy WebLinkAboutPiedmont Green Event Guide
GREEN EVENT GUIDE
Special events held on public property in Piedmont must have recycling and compost
collection. [Piedmont City Code 9.03.070] This guide was developed to assist event
organizers in making sustainable choices by directing them to resources that are
compatible with the City’s recycling and composting program.
CHOOSE REUSABLE WHENEVER POSSIBLE
Reusable service ware is always preferable
to disposable. Ask your caterer for reusable
plates, bowls, silverware, glasses, and
linens.
For school fundraising events, the Piedmont
Education Foundation will loan out their
wine glasses.
Contact: Sara Valkonen
sara@piedmontedfoundation.org
510-653-1816
FIBER-BASED COMPOSTABLE IS BETTER THAN PLASTIC
Fiber-based foodware (paper plates, paper
napkins, bamboo cutlery) are preferable to
plastic. Food-soiled plastic cannot be easily
recycled and compostable plastic cannot
be easily composted.
Plain paper products are compostable in
the City’s program. More elegant options
are available through these vendors.
World Centric plates are made from wheatstraw, a leftover
agricultural fiber and an annually renewable resource.
Eco-Products fiber plates and bowls are made from a 100%
reclaimed, renewable sugarcane.
Bambu Veneerware cutlery is made from certified organic,
renewable bamboo. Vegware carries cutlery made from wood.
§ Serve buffet style on platters, no boxed meals or wrapped sandwiches
§ Provide water and beverages in reusable dispensers, no single serve bottles
§ Select foods and beverages that are local, organic or fair trade. Whenever possible,
eliminate beef and offer vegetarian meals.
§ Serve chips, pretzels and side dishes in a bowl with a spoon for self-service, no
single packaged items
§ Serve condiments in bulk containers (sugar, salt, creamer, ketchup, jelly, etc.)
§ Purchase durable decorations, signs and props that can be reused
§ Minimize giveaways - choose only consumable items or green-themed giveaways
§ Select reusable centerpieces, and/or offer centerpieces as prizes
§ Don’t use balloons, plastic streamers, confetti or plastic tablecloths
§ Inform attendees they can bring take out containers for leftover food
§ Arrange in advance to donate leftover food through your caterer or contact Replate,
a local organization that redistributes surplus food
BPI-CERTIFIED COMPOSTABLE PLASTIC IS ACCEPTABLE IN OUR PROGRAM
BPI-Certified compostable plastic cups and cutlery are accepted in our program. The
products are less preferable than fiber-based paper or wood products as they may not
break down completely at the compost facility. They are an acceptable alternative if
reusable or fiber-based compostable products are not appropriate.
If you plan to use compostable plastic products at your event, it is important to let your
attendees know. Compostable plastics can be confused with other plastics derived from
fossil fuels (which are not compostable).
Vegware and World Centric cold cups and cutlery are made from polylactic acid derived from plants like corn or beets
and are certified compostable. The best cup choices are clear with a green stripe and the best cutlery choices are beige
or white and marked “compostable.” Completely clear cups and black or multicolored cutlery can be confused with
other plastics.
For school events, a local Piedmont family has volunteered to order and store World
Centric products which can be purchased at a discounted rate.
Contact: Samantha Miller sraquelmiller@gmail.com 650-892-8377
MORE TIPS FOR GREENING YOUR EVENT