Decorations

Your event décor can leave a lasting, positive impression on your guests. Consider the suggestions below to decorate in a sustainable, low-waste way.

Reusable Decorations

Replace single-use decorations with reusable items.

• Tablecloths, napkins, and more are available for rent from OHIO Catering and local vendors.
• Consider using live plants rather than cut flowers for centerpieces. These can be repurposed post-event as event giveaways, donations to nursing homes, or similar.
  • Plants can be purchased from a variety of local vendors.
• If cut flowers are preferred, check with Event Services on who is using the venue before/after your events and see if you can share centerpieces to reduce waste and share the cost!
  • Organizations, such as Flower Power Gives and the I Do Crew, also coordinate donations of cut flowers from events to local nursing homes.
  • Connect with OHIO Catering or local vendors for floral arrangements in reusable containers.
• Invest in reusable name tags with customizable inserts.
  • Put out a basket and sign at the end of the day to collect name tags holders to be reused at future events.
• If using lanyards, collect them at the end of the event for reuse. Your attendees will thank you!
• Printing Services can create a customized tablecloth or sign for your organization or department that can be reused many times.
• Try making your own decorations! Check out our Pinterest page for ideas.

Use compostable or recyclable decorations

Use only compostable or recyclable decorations if single-use decorations are necessary.

• Avoid balloons, Styrofoam, unnecessary plastics, etc.
• If you are a student organization, remember that you cannot use SAC funding for your events if you plan to use single-use products (anything not compostable or reusable).

Email sac@ohio.edu with specific questions on what they will fund.