Sign up for updates from the Democratic National Convention:
The Democratic National Convention will show America who Vice President Harris and Governor Walz are and what Democrats stand for.
Sustainability Resources
Section Title
Alt Text Versions
Logo (Top Right)
DNC 2024 – Democratic National Convention – August 19-22 / Chicago IL, USA
Heading
DNC Sustainability:
Attendee Travel Guide
Lowest Emissions Transport (Ranked Lowest to Highest)
- Local Mobility – Walk/Bicycle, Electric Scooter, Ferry Boat
- Train – Electric, Domestic Rail, Local Transit
- Automobile – Electric, Hybrid, Motorcycle/Sedan, Truck/SUV
- Bus – Electric, Coach Bus, City Bus
- Direct Flight – Long Haul, Short Haul
- Connecting Flights – Long Haul, Short Haul
- Private Jet – Avoid Wherever Possible Except For Safety Purposes
Generally, it’s better to come by train, automobile, or bus than taking a long or short-
haul flight.
For inspiration, check out the Mississippi delegation (linked), traveling entirely by rail!
Resources:
- Epa Ghg Fast Facts
- Owid, Transport By Emissions, 2022
- Tnmt Environmental Impacts (+Embodied Carbon)
- Epa Transportation Sector Emissions
- Visualization Of Transportation Impacts By Type
Logos
Bright Beat x Purpose – Sustainability Strategy
Chicago DNC 2024 – Sustainability Education
Chicago – DNC 2024
PAGE 1
Logo (Top Right)
DNC 2024 – Democratic National Convention – August 19-22 / Chicago IL, USA
Heading
DNC Sustainability:
Event Planning Guidance
OVERVIEW OF Sustainable event strategy by emissions impacts:
- Attendee Travel: Measurement, Mitigation, Carbon Inset
- Energy: Green Energy, Energy Savings, Renewable Energy Certs
- Sourcing: Suppliers, Distances, Materials, Circularity
- Food: Choices(menu), Sourcing, Donation
- Waste: Composting, Reuse/Recycling, Landfill
- Water: Usage, Conservation, Restoration
- Social Responsibility: Community Collaboration, Regenerative Projects, Aligned Support
(In descending order by largest emissions potentials)
Logos
- Chicago DNC 2024 – Sustainability Education
- Chicago – DNC 2024
- BrightBeat X Purpose
PAGE 2
Heading
Event Planning Guidance
- TRANSPORTATION: ENCOURAGE LOW-EMISSIONS METHODS
- Encourage attendees to walk, use public transit, divvy bike, lime scooter, or group rideshare to the event.
- See our Low Emissions Transportation Recommendations Here.
- Energy USE: PRIORITIZE Mitigation, RENEWABLES, & PURcHASING OF RECs Sourcing green energy CAN save venues/hotels up to six figures in event emissions:
- Encourage power-down activities such as reduced HVAC, escalators and lighting whenever possible.
- Purchasing RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates) covers some of the event energy footprint for what is unable to be mitigated or eliminated by reduced usage.
- It is estimated that 1 REC is needed to offset an hour of energy usage at a convention center.
- 1.4 RECs are needed to offset an hour at a stadium, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
- For more information on REC purchasing, see EPA’s Guidance.
- SOURCING: suppliers, Materials, & distances design out linear to landfill materials from event planning, including single-use elements:
- Select local vendors who prioritize reuse, circularity, sustainable procurement, and local suppliers.
- Eliminate the use of foam core, vinyl, and single-use plastic, including water bottles.
- Influence vendor behavior change via procurement practices; be mindful of unnecessary consumption.
- FOOD CHOICES, SOURCING, DONATION, & PACKAGING – SHOW environmentally conscious Food management:
- Food Choices: Go plant-based and if you have meat, choose chicken. Beef is the highest emissions food.
- Food Sourcing: Prioritize local/within 250 miles; support regenerative, responsible farming practices.
- Food Donation: Redirect surplus food to local communities; contract a commitment to such outcomes.
- Food Packaging: If unable to procure reusable serve ware, use and compost certified compostable serve ware to minimize waste.
- Learn more: Catering & Food Service Guidance.
Logos
- Chicago DNC 2024 – Sustainability Education
- Chicago – DNC 2024
- BrightBeat X Purpose
PAGE 3
- WASTE DIVERSION & COMPOSTING: highly-visible and manageable – prevention of wasted resources begins with strategic procurement & plans for best use of all items:
- Empower stakeholders through education to prevent waste, eliminate plastics, minimize single-use items, implement food rescue, and compost food scraps.
- Implement material management strategy to maximize reuse and diversion of waste streams, utilizing clearly labeled and color-coded zero waste stations.
- See our full recommendations on Waste Diversion Strategy
6. WATER CONSERVATION: ADDRESSING usage + POSITIVELY ACCOUNTING FOR IMPACTS
- Purchasing water restoration certificates can positively improve and restore water in areas in need
- 1 WRC accounts for 1,000 gallons of water improved or restored to benefit people and nature, per Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s Water Restoration Projects.
- The average meeting room uses 284 gallons of water per hour.
- The average hotel uses 462 gallons of water per hour.
- The average stadium uses 2,200 gallons of water per hour.
- Learn more: businessforwaterstewardship.org/projects.
7. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Think local; Be responsive
- Intentionally engage with local community leaders and stakeholders on volunteerism, philanthropy, and other desired impact-focused work.
- Learn and be responsive to real needs, from legacy projects to the types of foods that local organizations prefer to be donated.
8. COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Prioritize robust reporting
- Whether you purchase renewable energy certificates, offer plant-based menus, rescue/donate surplus food, compost, or purchase water restoration certificates at your event (you can do it all!)
- Please fill out this DNC Sustainable Event Strategy Survey to share your positive impacts!
Logos
- Chicago DNC 2024 – Sustainability Education
- Chicago – DNC 2024
- BrightBeat X Purpose
PAGE 4
Heading:
Positive impacts, Visualized
Top 20 High Impact Climate Actions For households and individuals
The data here represents the cumulative Gt CO2-eq over 30 year period
- Plant Rich Diets (103.1)
- Reduced Food Waste (102.2)
- Distributed Solar Photovoltaics (64.9)
- Insulation(18.5)
- LED Lighting (15.7)
- Public Transit (15.4)
- Solar Hot Water (13.7)
- Recycling (11.3)
- High-Performance Glass (11.3)
- Carpooling (11.1)
- Electric Cars (9.8)
- High-Efficiency Heat Pumps (9.1)
- Smart Thermostats (7.3)
- Reduced Plastic (5.4)
- Hybrid Cars (4.7)
- Telepresence (4.4)
- Composting (2.9)
- Electric Bicycles (1.6)
- Low Flow Fixtures (1.5)
- Recycled Paper (1.4)
BY SECTOR
- Together, the individual and household actions presented here have the potential to produce roughly 25-30 percent of the total emissions reductions needed to avoid dangerous climate change (>1.5 degrees celsius)
- Food – 12.4%
- Energy – 8.6%
- Travel – 2.8%
- Waste – 1.3%
Left: Project Drawdown’s Top High Impact Climate Impacts for Individuals + Households, featuring Plant-Based Diets + Composting as the top two emissions avoidance activities
Learn more: Our World in Data
Learn more about these and other climate solutions at: Projectdrawdown.org
Logos
- Chicago DNC 2024 – Sustainability Education
- Chicago – DNC 2024
- BrightBeat X Purpose
PAGE 5
Heading
Food Impacts, Visualized
Visualized emissions of commons proteins
(In order from largest to smallest impacts)
- Beef
- Lamb
- Shrimp
- Cheese
- Pork
- Chicken
- Meat Alternatives
- Farmed Fish
Limiting meat consumption is one of the biggest environmental lifestyle impacts one can make.
Logos
- Chicago DNC 2024 – Sustainability Education
- Chicago – DNC 2024
- BrightBeat X Purpose
PAGE 6
Logo
DNC 2024 – Democratic National Convention – August 19-22 / Chicago IL, USA
Thank you for your efforts!
Chicago – DNC 2024
- Stephanie Katsaros, Bright Beat – steph@brightbeat.com
- Marley Finnegan, PURPOSE – marley@eventsofpurpose.com
Logo
BrightBeat X Purpose – Sustainability Strategy
Logo (Top Right)
DNC 2024 – Democratic National Convention – August 19-22 / Chicago IL, USA
Heading
Dnc Sustainability:
Catering + Food Service Guide
- Use Compostable Food & Beverage Serve Ware
- When reusables are not an option, serve all food and beverages in certified compostable (e.g. BPI) serve ware. This includes cups, plates, bowls, forks, spoons, knives and napkins that align with onsite compost implementation.
- Provide Plant-Based Options
- Offer low-emission menu choices, including plant-based and locally sourced options. If meat is offered, prioritize lower-emission meats such as chicken and fish.
- Optimize Food Service For Donation To Local Community
- Enhance food service practices to maximize potential for donation. Put in the contract the need to redirect surplus food. Emphasize culturally-preferred & donation-optimal menu items to showcase local flavors and align with community preferences.
- Strategize To Prevent + Divert Otherwise Wasted Food
- Prioritize prevention and reuse, maximize diversion of recyclable and compostable materials via alignment with local infrastructure, and simplify messaging and clearly label and color-code bins and bags for easiest user experience for all participants and staff.
Questions? Email info@eventsofpurpose.com
Logos (L-R)
Chicago – DNC 2024
DNC 2024
BrightBeat x Purpose – Sustainability Strategy
PAGE 1
Logo (Top Right)
DNC 2024 – Democratic National Convention – August 19-22 / Chicago IL, USA
Heading
Dnc Sustainability:
Waste Reduction/Diversion Guidance
Waste Prevention: Design Out Waste By Utilizing Materials With A Next Use Case
(Left)
- Maximizing Use Of Reusable Items Is The Single Best Way To Decrease Event Waste.
- Food Recovery And Organics Recycling Are Imperative To The Prevention Of An Event’s Organic Matter Creating Landfill Methane Emissions.
- Methane In Landfill: Food Waste Is One Of The Most Significant Contributors To Global Emissions In The World. Food Waste Creates Enough Emissions Annually That If It Were A Country It Would Be The Third Highest Emitter In The World.
- Certified Compostable Serveware Is Critical For Events Which Require Single-Use Items With Access To Composting, To Divert Food Scraps And Packaging. Ensuring That Every Single-Use Item Is Compostable Will Tranform An Event’s Ability To Prevent A Contaminated Compost Stream.
(Right)
- Communication + Contractual Obligation: Inform Relevant Partners Of Goals, Expectations And Requirements Related To Optimal Choices For Materials, Management, And Reporting
- Importance Of Proper Receptacles/Signage/Colors: Explicit Signage With Colors And Visuals Is Critical To The Success Of Waste Management, Including Our Suggestion To Incorporate Eco Educators To Assist Attendees With Proper Waste Diversion Practices.
- Eco Educators Engage And Educate Attendees At Points Of Disposal, Manage (De)Contamination And Can Measure Waste/Waste Avoidance.
- 3rd Party Certification For Compostable Products, Such As BPI, Ensures That The Disposables Will Break Down In A Commercial Compost Facility Within 90 Days.
Logos (L-R)
- DNC 2024
- BrightBeat X Purpose – Sustainability Strategy
- Chicago – DNC 2024
______________________________________________________________________
PAGE 2
Heading
Plan: Waste Diversion
Clear communication, visuals, aligned infrastructure and teamwork are essential to success.
Recommendations:
- Sustainability Leadership within the planning team to coordinate with venue, tenant, foodservice and custodial staffs on waste diversion process and implementation.
- Eco Educator Team – Trained zero waste ambassadors to monitor bin stations, guiding attendees and staff on proper disposal and (de)contamination
- Eco Captains — Program Leads invaluably maintaining proper separation behind the scenes
- High-Visibility Eco Stations — Strategically placed front of house 3 bin/3 stream stations and back of house systems, with clear, visually informative signage communicating “what goes where”
- Color Code for Clarity – Utilize matching per waste stream for signs and can liners, recommended: Green: certified compostable, Blue: recycle, Clear: landfill. NO opaque/black bags.
- Precycle – Design waste out of the event, to achieve “Zero Waste” goal of < 10% of event material sent to landfill. This includes end-of-use planning for production materials, FFE, tech, food, etc.
- Surplus Food Management Plan – Engage all necessary stakeholders to prepare for excess edible food to be rescued and inedible organics (food scraps along with green waste) to be recycled.
Logos (L-R)
- DNC 2024
- BrightBeat + Purpose – Sustainability Strategy
- Chicago – DNC 2024
____________________________________________________________________
PAGE 3
Heading
Plan: Waste Diversion
Pre-event, during and post-event planning are all important to
successful waste diversion plans.
Pre-event Checklist:
- Estimate volume of all event related material streams, including unique event-specific streams.
- Set diversion baselines, based on potentials or former waste data.
- Identify local partners for recovery of all streams.
- Identify pathways of material flow from use to disposal, locations of highest generation and potential aggregation throughout entire event and production areas and event-related facilities.
- Communicate sustainability goals, plans and reporting needs with all relevant stakeholders.
- Use images/graphic elements of the actual items on signage to eliminate the guesswork. Optimal placements include the backboard, next to the openings, or on the front of collection containers.Additional eye-level messaging helps reinforce the proper management of materials
Logos (L-R)
- DNC 2024
- BrightBeat X Purpose – Sustainability Strategy
- Chicago – DNC 2024
______________________________________________________________________
PAGE 4
Heading
Plan: Waste Diversion
Key infrastructure and assets are required to successfully execute a multi-stream waste diversion strategy.
Key Infrastructure + Assets:
- Reliable handling, hauling, processing and reporting of compost, recycling and landfill streams
- Reliable tracking of dumpsters: deliveries, pickups, status and issues (Sustainability Intake Form)
- Collection equipment and supplies for source-separation (i.e. 30+ cubic yard dumpsters, tipper/safe means for crew to empty material into open tops or compactors, rolling containers for material movement, 40+ gallon bins and color-coded can liners (green/certified compostable, blue, clear).
- Weather-proof sorting space and supplies (i.e. tent(s), tarps, tables, chairs, bins, buckets, mops, brooms, Eco Educator PPE as needed (masks, gloves, ear plugs, ponchos, hand sanitizer, etc)
- Signage design, printing and placement for front of house and back of house material management
- Distribution of Education Materials; Mandatory Training
- Event cleaning crew communications, confirming expectations of material management as outlined
- Food service/Catering/Sponsor communications, confirming expectations of material management as outlined, with education distributed to all associated
vendors/stakeholders. - Broad outreach to maximize recovery and reuse or donation of useable items (Green Load Out)
Logos (L-R)
- DNC 2024
- BrightBeat X Purpose – Sustainability Strategy
- Chicago – DNC 2024
____________________________________________________________________________
PAGE 5
Heading
Accountability Metrics:
Reporting should be contracted, communicated, and built into the plan.
Post-Event Reporting:
- Hauler reporting for every stream (i.e. Ticket Numbers, Recipient Location Name & Address, Received Material Category, Weight – in spreadsheet format)
- Photos and description, if any contamination reported.
- What’s in the landfill stream? Any information gathered will inform future planning.
- Food rescue reporting for every stream (i.e. Location, Date, Time of Recovery, Food Category/Item, Quantity, Weight, Recipient Organization Name and Address, in spreadsheet format)
- Waste prevention metrics (i.e. measurement of reusables, other avoidance measures)
- Impact calculations (TBD)
- Photo, Anecdotal and Narrative highlights
Logos (L-R)
- DNC 2024
- BrightBeat X Purpose – Sustainability Strategy
- Chicago – DNC 2024
______________________________________________________________________
PAGE 6
Heading
Waste Impacts
Vary Widely By Event
Top Right
- Although Not The Biggest Impact, Management Is The Most Visible Form Of Sustainability To Event Attendees, Significantly Influencing The Perception Of Event Sustainability.
- More Resource Efficiency Helps Turn Waste Into Savings And Additional Income Streams. Environmentally Efficient Events Close The Loop, Cut Greenhouse Gasses, Manage Risk, Reduce Litter And Pollution, Reinvest Resources Locally, Create Jobs And Add More Value For Their Organization And Community. (Gbci)
Bottom Left
- To Maximize Resource Recovery, Identify And Strategically Plan For Managing Materials That Are Generated In The Highest Quantities.
- For Events, Generally Targeted Streams For Diversion Include:
- 1. Compost (Food Scraps, Compostable Serveware)
- 2. Recycle (Cardboard, Aluminum, Paper, Plastic, Glass, Wood, Carpet, Etc.)
- 3. Landfill (That Which Can’t Be Recycled/Compost)
Bottom Right
- “Zero Waste” Is A “Whole System” Approach:
- The Conservation Of All Resources By Means Of Responsible Production, Consumption, Reuse, And Recovery Of Products, Packaging, And Materials Without Burning And With No Discharges To Land, Water, Or Air That Threaten The Environment Or Human Health.” (Zero Waste International Alliance)
- A “Zero Waste” Event Aligns With The Above Principles, While Aiming To Divert 90% Or More Of Event Material From Landfills And Incinerators.
Logos (L-R)
- DNC 2024
- BrightBeat X Purpose – Sustainability Strategy
- Chicago – DNC 2024
_________________________________________________________________________
PAGE 7
Heading
Dnc Sustainability:
Waste Reduction/Diversion Guidance
Thank You For Your Interest!
Questions? Contact us:
Stephanie Katsaros, Bright Beat
Marley Finnegan, PURPOSE
marley@eventsofpurpose.com
Logos (L-R)
- DNC 2024
- BrightBeat X Purpose – Sustainability Strategy
- Chicago – DNC 2024