Green Gala Achieved Waste Diversion of 97%

CEC's Green Gala, the eco-chic event of the year, looked and felt exquisite – but still reflected CEC's core environmental ethic.

Almost everything at the event was borrowed, repurposed or vintage: the costumes, the greenery, the décor, the centerpieces, and more. All food and drink was carefully sourced, with an emphasis on local, organic and in many cases vegetarian for every course.

In addition, we hand-sorted all the waste at the end of the evening. For the last two years, over 90% of the waste generated by the Green Gala has been recycled or composted. This year, CEC is proud to announce that we diverted 97% of the waste generated. These numbers far exceed waste management practices of any standard event and are exemplary even for an event striving to be considered "zero waste." Read the full report from Green Project Consultants.

Thank you to Merryl Brown Events for paying such close attention to these details. It is this kind of effort that has won Merryl and her team prestigious national awards for the Green Gala, such as the 2010 International Special Events Society (ISES) Esprit Award. Special thanks to Green Project Consultants for helping us manage the waste that evening.