Internal Meetings

- Advise participants, in advance, that the meeting will be 'green'.
- Ask participants to bring their own writing materials and travel mugs.
- Use paperless technology to register meeting participants.
- Confirm registration by phone and electronically.
- Avoid producing print materials but if you do, keep it short and to the point.
- Print double-sided on paper with recycled content.
- Use the reduction feature on the photocopier to fit a number of pages on each page.
- Procure meeting supplies that are considered 'green.'
- Use the services of a 'green caterer'. For example, Food Services uses environmentally-friendly serving containers. 
- Introduce the green meeting concept to participants at the beginning of the meeting.
- Ensure that name cards are in reusable plastic holders that are returned at the end of the meeting.
- Use reusable dry marker erasable boards, blackboards, overheads, Powerpoint slides instead of paper flip charts. (If paper flip charts are used, paper should be recycled newsprint.)
- Use non-toxic markers.
- Ensure that containers are available for recycling and the return of unused materials.
- Turn off lights and projectors when not in use. Save energy.
- Distribute materials to those with a genuine need or interest. Place on a table for those who choose to take them.
- Collect participants email addresses to distribute materials electronically.
- Ensure that the food and beverage service provider uses bulk dispensers for sugar, salt, pepper, cream and other condiments as well as reusable tableware. If feasible, have surplus food donated to a local food bank.

Meetings outside the Parliamentary Precincts

- Take public transportation or carpool, or better yet, walk.
- For out of city travel, take the train as it is more efficient than car or plane.
- Stay in a hotel [www.hcrd.gts.gc.ca] that has a green leaf rating. 
- Take your own writing materials and travel mug.
- Use your business card in the reusable name tag holder and be sure to return it at the end of the meeting.
- Choose to take only the materials that you know you are going to reuse.

The next time you plan and/or attend a meeting…please consider the environment.