Planning to attend the UNMC BBQ next Wednesday, Aug. 22? It’s always a good time, but this year it will be good for the environment too. It will be the first “zero waste” event hosted on the med center campus.
Event details
Faculty, staff and students are all welcome to attend the all-campus BBQ from 4-7 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Ruth and Bill Scott Student Plaza. Enjoy free food, including vegetarian options (while supplies last), giveaways (while supplies last), music and backyard games.
There also will be several activities centered around campus inclusivity and diversity. All are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.
This event is hosted by the UNMC Student Senate, the Recruitment and Student Engagement Office, and the UNMC Department of Human Resources, sponsored in part by Metro Credit Union, in collaboration with the UNMC Department of Public Relations, the Environmental Health and Safety Department, the Center for Healthy Living and the UNMC Bookstore.
The rain location will be in the Truhlsen Events Center in the Sorrell Center.
So what is a zero waste event?
A Zero Waste event means that 90 percent of all the waste generated in prep for and at the event will be diverted from the landfill, generally by recycling and composting. While technically not zero waste, the 10 percent allows for things that are unavoidable — often plastic wrap that protects unprepared food (uncooked meat), etc., that planners cannot control. We can control the types of food served and can work to keep that waste to a minimum. We also can control the items given to the end user to make sure they can be composted or recycled.
When you come to the BBQ, you’ll find your drinks in recyclable containers and your food served in compostable containers with compostable napkins and forks. Metro Credit Union also will be giving out free, reusable utensils for you to take to your desk or next event.
We’ll have multiple “waste stations” set up at the BBQ with volunteers by each to help you get the right items into the right containers. Food service personnel will be collecting items as well, and we’ll segregate soft plastic into “energy bags.” Once the event is over, we’ll weigh everything and confirm that 90 percent of the waste generated is diverted.
Sounds good, right? We look forward to seeing you there to be part of history!
Sounds like a goal the campus should shoot for every day!! I’m sure that’s part of the sustainability goals for the campus….keep up that good work!
I am proud UNMC is moving toward zero waste. Well done program planners! This is huge progress in the right direction.
What a great idea! I love seeing these types of green initiatives on campus.