Making your next Air Force event 'green'

  • Published
  • By Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Air Force family holds a great deal of functions and events including celebrations for promotions, awards and retirements, along with farewell parties.

Who doesn't love a good time with friends and co-workers that you've grown to know, work with and admire during the past few months and years at Grand Forks Air Force Base?

Just think of the prepared food, decorations, cards, invitations and miscellaneous items that make up the party scene here on base. All of these items are carefully planned by event committees to ensure that value is received for every dollar spent, and that every dollar spent provides maximum fun. Who would object to that philosophy?

But while planning your next event, one thing that should be recognized is our impact on this Earth, including how our celebrations can affect our environment.

All of us should be aware that: 1) alternatives exist to make our events "green" and 2) the ultimate costs for all our functions and events need to take into account the costs for clean-up, disposal and recycling the waste our event generated.

Here are some ideas to help make your next Air Force event "green"

1) Limit paper invitations and send out invitations via email. Most offices already do this, but it's always good to remind everyone that in the electronic age, people don't want to deal with paper invitations. Great invitations with neat graphics and free templates are easily available on the Internet.

2) List all events on squadron or wing electronic calendars. No need for paper here also! Simple, regularly scheduled event reminders can be sent out electronically when programmed in advance. Another good idea is to advertise the function or event on the front gate marquee for everyone to see. Check with the base public affairs office to see what options are available.

3) Purchase green event items from on-base vendors, catalogs and other sellers of green products. Your office or squadron has a catalogue of these green items that have been previously identified as manufactured from recyclable materials, or can be recycled easily, and already meet the definition of green materials as established by the Department of Defense. Remember - Green Procurement Review and Purchase is a requirement, and green purchases are mandatory if these products, such as 100-percent post-consumer content plates, napkins and flatware are readily available! Sustainable and/or recyclable party goods can easily be found using an internet search engine as well.

4) Plan your event shopping trips in advance using public transportation from the base, if available. If public transportation isn't available, carpool to off-base shopping areas. Also, it's a good idea to request in the invitations that attendees use carpooling or public transportation to and from the event. Public transportation and carpooling both save energy and are environmentally friendly and sustainable ways to travel. Utilizing teleconferencing to replace face-to-face planning meetings is also a time and money saver.

5) Make sure to segregate waste items that can be easily identified for recycling. Be certain that all recycling bins are clearly labeled and waste disposal containers are available for unrecyclable items. Finally, transport recyclables to the recycling center or coordinate a pick-up and transport with appropriate personnel.

6) There are also several things that can be done post-event to help make your next party or event green. The following are environmentally friendly suggestions to consider:
  • Make arrangements for distributing any excess food from the event. Charities that feed the indigent are always in need and thankful for any donations. Keep the food warm or cool and in a safe manner until final disposition to prevent food-borne diseases.
  • Ensure food is served in reusable containers and that any excess empty containers are recycled appropriately. If possible, don't forget to rinse out all containers to prevent pest infestations.
  • Ensure all decorations/floral arrangements, if still in good condition, are recycled or reused. A good effort for floral arrangements is sending flowers to a local children's or nearby hospital for distribution to the patients. Using dried or silk arrangements and centerpieces is also a great idea since they can be reused for subsequent events or functions.
  • Ensure clean-up crews use enviro-friendly cleaners and products.
For more information on holiday waste reduction at Grand Forks Air Force Base, contact David McCullough, chief of environmental compliance at the 319th Civil Engineering Squadron at 701-747-6154 or david.mccullough@us.af.mil and ask him how you can help.

The Air Force is dedicated to reducing waste throughout the year. As part of its ongoing Win the War Against Waste campaign, an initiative to reduce solid waste, the Air Force encourages all Airmen, civilian employees and family members to cut back on solid waste generation wherever and whenever possible, and we wish you and yours a happy "green" event.