Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What can be recycled on campus?
A: Athen’s Services is UCLA current waste collection vendor. They will collect the following:
• All paper and cardboard (EXCEPT: waxed paper/ cardboard, blueprints, carbon copies, photographic papers, chemical-coated papers/cardboards, food-contaminated paper/cardboard (i.e. pizza boxes))
• All glass food/drink containers (EXCEPT: drinking cup glass, glass plates, mirrors, window pane glass)
• All plastics #1 to #9
• All tin, aluminum or metal cans, aluminum foil, brass, copper, bronze, gold, silver, iron, and steel
• All wood
• Compostables
Q: Is it better to have an event at a hotel off campus or at an on-campus venue?
A: It will depend on where your participants will be coming from. If your conference or event attendees are predominantly from on-campus, it is better to have the conference or event on campus, thereby saving gas, oil and wear and tear on the vehicle (including tires that are manufactured from rubber). If your attendees are largely from off campus, you might want to consider holding the event close to the airport or where the attendees are.
Q: I’m planning a holiday party in my office, how can I make it more “green”?
A: There are lots of things you can do to promote a sustainable holiday party.
Make it a potluck, serve food on dishes that can be taken home and washed, or utilize potato or soy utensils.
Don’t use plastic or Styrofoam plates or serve beef products.
Get creative and give a prize for the most “green” dish. Encouraging others to think “out of the box”, about their individual choices when preparing meals.
Set up recycle stations in the office for the party.
Q: Who can I call on campus to discuss planning a green event?
A: You can call the Events Office at 310-825-8989, to discuss options. You can also call the UCLA Recycling Program at 310-825-3971.
Q: How do I request to have the UCLA Green Team come to my event?
A: Send an email to green@events.ucla.edu with the name of the event, date, time, how many recycling stations you plan to have, and what kind of servingware and other waste you expect to generate.
Q: How do I volunteer to be on the UCLA Green Team?
A: Send an email to green@events.ucla.edu with your name and contact information. You will receive reply with the date of an upcoming volunteer training session, and, after completing your session, will begin to receive emails regarding event opportunities.
Q: Will doing a green event be more expensive?
A: Yes, we estimate that it will be between 8-12% more expensive to make your event completely green. But, more short term goals like using recycling stations, serving on your own dishware at a holiday party, using sustainable centerpieces, or buying in bulk, might actually decrease your costs.
Q: Are sustainable events ugly?
A: Absolutely not! Companies throughout the country are developing green products that are virtually indistinguishable from regular products. As mentioned, moving toward an event with china is even more sustainable than using compostable servingware. Centerpieces made with locally grown flowers will be just as beautiful as those florals grown abroad.
Q: What does “biodegradable” mean?
A: A biodegradable product will compost in a commercial composting facility in 120 days. Please note that these products must be routed to the compost facilities in order to degrade properly, so make sure that your event is sorting their waste properly. For more help with this, contact green@events.ucla.edu.