What is Zero Waste?

“Zero Waste” means at least 90% of waste generated at an event is diverted from landfills. Keeping campus waste out of local landfills is a critical component of sustainable operations at USC.

Why is Zero Waste Important?

Zero Waste Benefits Our Environment

  • Zero Waste reduces USC’s climate impact. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 42% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from the manufacturing and use of goods, including food, products, and packaging. Reducing, reusing, recycling, and composting dramatically lessens emissions from production and additional emissions released by waste sitting in landfills.

Zero Waste Benefits Our Economy

  • Zero Waste promotes a circular economy where “waste” is valued as a resource. Resources being recirculated through our economy promotes green jobs.

Zero Waste is a USC Priority

  • USC is developing aggressive campus sustainability goals which emphasize reducing landfill waste wherever possible. To achieve these goals, event organizers will need to join the fight to reduce waste.
  • President Folt — whose own inauguration ceremonies were zero waste —  strongly encourages USC event organizers to reduce waste generated at their events and divert as much waste as possible from local landfills via composting and left-over food donations.

How Can I Make My Event Zero Waste?

USC is currently assembling the teams and programs required to seamlessly facilitate campus zero waste events of various sizes. While these processes are still in development, this page serves as a tool to ensure event organizers with a passion for going zero waste have the knowledge and resources necessary to do so. The three main steps in facilitating a zero waste event are:

  1. Control the inputs to to your event by using reusable or compostable products wherever possible
  2. Ensure you have the proper materials and services to go zero waste, which may vary depending on the size and location of your event
  3. Educate your attendees on proper waste sorting and how these efforts help USC be more sustainable

STEP 1: CONTROL THE INPUTS TO YOUR EVENT

Reducing waste at your event starts with controlling what is used at your event. Wherever possible, opt for reusable products to stop waste before it starts. Where disposable service ware is necessary, opt for compostable plates, cups, cutlery, and napkins that can be diverted from landfill.

  • Using USC Catering to provide food, beverages, and disposable service ware?
    • You’re in luck! USC Catering has already switched their entire inventory of disposable service ware to compostable products. Using USC Catering is currently the easiest way to make your event zero waste.
  • Using one or more third-party caterers to provide food, beverages, and disposable service ware?
    • Ordering through USC Catering is currently the easiest way to make your event zero waste.
      • If you would still like to use a third-party caterer, visit the Auxiliary Services Event Catering website and check for the green seal to find green-certified caterers who can easily provide compostable service ware.
      • If you would still like to use a different third-party caterer, ensure that they can provide compostable service ware. Consider directing caterers to the Ecoproducts website if they are interested in purchasing compostable products.
  • Purchasing food and disposable service ware directly from a store or online retailer?
    • Using USC Catering or one of the above approved caterers is currently the easiest way to make your event zero waste. If you would still like to shop elsewhere, consider purchasing from Ecoproducts.
  • Not serving food or beverages at your event?
    • Waste generation at your event is likely minimal. See the “Beyond Zero Waste” section of this page for other ways to make your event more sustainable.

After ensuring that the materials at your event are primarily reusable and/or compostable, make sure they are properly handled. See Step 2 for details.

STEP 2: REQUEST PROPER ZERO WASTE MATERIALS & SERVICES

For your waste to be successfully diverted from local landfills, you need to ensure that you have requested the right materials and services. Depending on the location, size, and number of attendees at your event, the required materials and services may vary.

  • If your event requires working with the Facilities Management Services (FMS) Events Department:
    • Please complete the FMS Events Planning Checklist and tell your FMS Events Coordinator that you’re hosting a zero waste event to ensure you receive the necessary materials and services.
  • If your event does NOT require working with the Facilities Management Services (FMS) Events Department — e.g. hosted in classroom spaces or schools that own their own spaces — you may need to contact FMS Events to request the below materials and services:
    • Color-Coded FMS Event Boxes: generally 4 green Compost and 1 blue Recycling event box per 100 guests are required at a zero waste event. A small number of black Landfill event boxes may be required for caterer waste
    • Compost and/or Recycling Dumpster Rental: your event may require renting a compost and/or recycling dumpster depending on location and number of attendees
    • “Zero Waste Sort Station” staffers: your event may require staff to monitor proper disposal of items depending on location and number of attendees
    • Removal or cover of existing trash cans in your event space
    • Pre- and post-event cleanup

After ensuring that you have all the right materials, make sure your guests know how to use them correctly. See Step 3 for details.

STEP 3: EDUCATE YOUR GUESTS

Zero waste events are most successful when attendees are made aware of the process and have the tools and information to properly participate. Zero waste events are also a great way to engage and educate the campus community on USC’s sustainability goals. Take the following actions to ensure your guests know how to do their part:

  • Use pre-event messaging — like invitations and RSVP forms — to inform guests that your event will be zero waste
  • Educate guests on proper waste sorting during your event through…
    • Signage on and near waste bins
    • Signage at food and beverage stations
    • Repeated verbal announcements
    • Volunteers at waste stations

Signage is most effective when it’s tailored to your specific event. See below for resources to help incorporate general signage into your zero waste event:

Leftover Food Donation

Many events are left with more food than attendees can eat. Instead of letting this food go uneaten, consider setting up a partnership with a non-profit organizations that can pick up leftover food and distribute it to those in need. The below organizations already service USC and may be a good place to start.

Beyond Zero Waste

Want to go beyond reducing landfill waste to make your event even more sustainable? Check out these tips:

  • Avoid plastic decorations and giveaway items
  • Eliminate latex and Mylar balloons, and avoid the use of helium
  • Encourage attendees to use public transportation or carpool to your campus event. Use USC Transportation’s trip-planning program, Traveler.
  • Reduce the amount of meat – especially red meat like beef – served to lower the carbon footprint of your event

USC Zero Waste Case Studies

President Folt’s Inauguration Ceremonies

2019 Campus Game Day Tailgates

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Other Resources