Sustainability Office
Your hub for sustainability on the St. George campus.
Sustainable events
Sustainable events program
The Sustainability Office along with Facilities and Services consulted with students, faculty, and staff to create a comprehensive guide with the tools needs to successfully run a sustainable event.
The certification form is divided into five major sections:
- Permitting & Set-up
- Food Sourcing & Waste
- Material Waste
- Entertainment (Misc)
- Closing and Take Down
Ready to get certified?
Have you reviewed the steps above and are ready to get certified? Click the button below to start.
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Certification
Bronze
20–45% of available points scored
Silver
46–65% of available points scored
Gold
66–84% of available points scored
Platinum
85% + of available points scored
The Sustainability Office welcomes any comments or suggestions on program content.
Getting started
Before starting the certification form, review the Program Highlights for recommended actions.
Need more information on how to make your event make your event more sustainable? Check out the Resources page for information on best practices.
- Venues are assessed for accessibility
- Marketing and tickets are digitized
- Religious holidays, weather, time and location are considered
- Events are held outdoors/in LEED certified buildings
- Labels and signage posted for proper disposal
- Land acknowledgements are stated prior to beginning event
- Food ordered considers number of attendees to reduce leftovers
- Trash, recycling and compost bins are available
- Ceramic dishes and metal utensils are provided
- Local food is sourced
- Plant-based alternatives are available
Water is served in glasses/water refill stations are available
Waste sorting stations are available
Volunteers are available to help attendees sort waste
Condiments are available in bulk (i.e. no individually wrapped packets)
Lanyards/badges are reused for future events
Attendees are asked for feedback
The Sustainability Office welcomes any comments or suggestions on program content.
Events best practices
Large events
Contact UofT’s Conference and Events Team.
Go digital with all marketing and materials (invitations and tickets).
Use labels and signage to sort items and prevent contaminating waste streams.
Recruit volunteers to help attendees sort their waste into the proper disposal bins.
Prioritize reusable containers or use compostable cardboard containers.
Host events outdoors, in LEED certified buildings, or use passive lighting to minimize energy use.
Minimize meat options on the menu, and source fish that is MSC or ocean wise certified.
Provide plant-based meals and alternatives for milks, spreads and desserts.
Reuse table linens, decorations, banners and posters, coat check numbers, and table numbers.
Small events
Organize a carpool list to reduce emissions from transportation.
Ensure event location is accessible and located near public transportation.
Consider no-or-low waste centrepiece and decoration options.
Rent table linens, table numbers and coat check numbers.
Ask for attendees to RSVP to ensure appropriate amount of food is ordered.
Incorporate stretches and breaks to stimulate creative thinking.
Reserve time at the end of the event for feedback and comments for improvement.
General resources
U of T resources
UofT’s Land Acknowledgement: Land Acknowledgement | Indigenous University of Toronto (utoronto.ca)
LEED Certified Buildings on campus:
UTSG
- Munk School of Global Affairs – LEED Silver (certified 2015)
- Mining Building Renovation – LEED Gold (certified 2014)
- Rotman School of Management – LEED Gold (certified 2014)
- Exam Centre/255 McCaul Street – LEED Gold (certified 2010) – F&S HEAD OFFICE
UTM
- UTM’s New Science Building (currently under construction)
- Maanjiwe Nendamowinan (Formerly: New North Building) – LEED silver (certified 2020)
- Health Sciences Complex – LEED Gold (certified 2017)
- Deerfield Hall – LEED Silver (certified 2016)
- Innovation Complex – LEED Silver (certified 2016)
- Davis Building 3rd floor Renovation – LEED Gold (certified 2014)
- Instructional Centre – LEED Silver (certified 2011)
- Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre – LEED Silver (certified 2006)
UTSC
- Environmental Science & Chemistry Building – LEED Gold
- Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre – LEED Gold
U of T’s Conference & Events Coordinator Team: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/hospitality/conferences-events-who-we-are-what-we-do
U of T’s Virtual Events Planning Resources: https://cris.utoronto.ca/spotlight/virtual-events/
Carbon Reduction
GHG Food Calculators: https://www.earthday.org/foodprints-calculators/
Carbon Offset Partners:
Waste Signage: https://www.fs.utoronto.ca/building-services-trades/recycling-services/reduce-reuse-recycle-rethink/
Eco-Label Information: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/Oca-bc.nsf/eng/ca02523.html
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”. The SDGs were set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by the year 2030.
The Sustainability Office welcomes any comments or suggestions on program content.
Get certified!
Ready to get your event certified? Follow these easy steps!
- Review the program overview, highlights and resources tabs
- Click the ‘Get Certified’ button below
- Sign in using your UTORid to launch certification form and follow the instructions.
- Submit the form and await review and confirmation from the Sustainability Office
- Receive your certificate package (certificate, badge/ribbon and quick resource guide)
- Review your results and program resources to improve your score next year!
Please complete the form in one session (form cannot be saved part-way). We recommend you use a laptop or desktop to complete the form.
Note: Certification is valid for one year, and the program will be updated/improved annually to ensure alignment with sustainability best practices.
The Sustainability Office welcomes any comments or suggestions on program content.
Our sustainability partners