Green Events

Green events logoThe Green Events program provides guidance and resources to improve the sustainability of events on the UW–Madison campus. The program aims to reduce the environmental impacts of events by focusing on six major categories: Venue, Décor, Communications, Transportation, Food, and Waste. 

For more information, please contact greenevents@g-groups.wisc.edu

Melina Nguyen, Rory Tevlin, Brynne Hill, Elisabeth Bautista, Emma Erickson
Left to Right: Melina Nguyen, Rory Tevlin, Brynne Hill, Elisabeth Bautista, Emma Erickson

Certification Checklist

Begin by completing the Green Event certification survey checklist to evaluate your event’s current sustainability score.

Take the Survey

There are four possible certification levels based on your score: 

  • Bronze (50-65%)
  • Silver (65-80%)
  • Gold (80%+)
  • Platinum (Gold certification & two Platinum Checklist action items)

If you’re unsure about any of the questions, please leave them blank or utilize the notes spaces provided to communicate any uncertainties or additional questions you might have for our team. We’re here to help!

If you need assistance with specific checklist items or are aiming for platinum certification, please reach out to us at greenevents@g-groups.wisc.edu.

After completion of this survey, a member of the Green Events team will reach out to discuss next steps in the certification process.

Here is a PDF of the checklist if you are interested in reviewing possible action items

Resources

    Learn more about LEED-certified buildings on campus

    For more information on sustainable transportation options in Madison, check out bike paths and bus routes

    For catering ideas, check out this list of sustainable vendors in the Madison area

    For questions on what is recyclable, check out Pellitteri Recycle Right guide

    For more information on hosting an accessible event, checkout this Office of Compliance guide

2023-2024 Academic Year Green Events

Platinum

  • College Library All-Staff Orientation, College Library  – 2023
  • Sustainability Symposium, Office of Sustainability – 2023

Gold

  • Convocation Cookout, UW-Housing – 2023 
  • Sustain-a-Bash, UW-Housing – 2023

Silver

  • Sustainability Round Table, ASM Sustainability Committee, Slow Food UW, and Office of Sustainability – 2023
  • Conservation Biology and Botany Flash Talk, Conservation Biology Major – 2023
  • Natural Resources Institute’s Day, UW Division of Extension Natural Resources Institute – 2023
  • Nelson Lunch with Chancellor Mnookin, Nelson Institute – 2023

Past Green Events

Green Event Platinum Certified SealSTARS Announcement Ceremony, Office of Sustainability – 2019

Sustainability Symposium, Office of Sustainability – 2022

 

 

Green Event Gold Certified SealEarth Day Conference, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies – 2019

Discovery Expo, Wisconsin Science Festival – 2019

Wellness Symposium, Office of Human Resources – 2019

Networking Event, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies – 2019

LaFollette Climate Forum, Robert M. LaFollette School of Public Affairs – 2021

Global Days, College of Agricultural & Life Sciences – 2021

Convocation Cookout, UW-Housing – 2022

Sustain-a-Bash, UW-Housing – 2022

WEI Kid Wind 2023, WEI – 2023

OGRAIN Conference, OGRAIN – 2023

Nelson Institute Earth Day, Nelson Institute – 2023

WEI Climate Justice Teach In, WEI – 2023

Empowering Youth for a Brighter Future, Nelson Institute and Office of Sustainability – 2023

Green Event Silver Certified SealWellness Symposium, Office of Human Resources – 2018

UW–Madison Advising Conference, Office of Undergraduate Advising – 2019, 2020

Great World Texts, Center for the Humanities – 2019, 2020

Office Professionals Conference, Office of Human Resources – 2019

WAEE Annual Conference, Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education – 2019

Environmental Justice in Multispecies Worlds: Land, Water, Food; The Center for Culture, History, and Environment – 2020

Breakfast with Bucky, All Campus Party Wisconsin Alumni Student Board – 2023

Lake St Bash, All Campus Party Wisconsin Alumni Student Board – 2023

Green Event Bronze Certified SealBoard of Visitors Meeting, Global Health Institute 2019

Nelson Winter Grad Celebration, Nelson Institute – 2022

About Our Work

The Green Events team was accepted to present a poster for the second annual UW–Madison Sustainability Symposium hosted by the Office of Sustainability and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.

Green Events poster
Click to view!

The Green Events team strives to advance the Three Pillars of Sustainability in every certified event

Environmental Sustainability: practices that keep our ecosystems healthy and protect natural resources for future generations

Economic Sustainability: practices that support long-term economic growth without negatively impacting social, environmental, and cultural aspects of the community

Social Sustainability: practices that support socially sustainable communities, which are equitable, diverse, connected, and democratic, and provide a good quality of life