The University of Peradeniya has taken commendable steps in promoting environmental sustainability through its eco-friendly guidelines. These guidelines are designed to guide the university community in minimizing their environmental footprint when organizing meetings, events, and procurements. 

The overarching goals include reducing resource consumption, minimizing waste generation (with a preference for zero waste), conserving energy and water resources, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and ultimately reducing costs. Emphasizing the importance of sustainability while not compromising the quality or objectives of meetings and events, these guidelines demonstrate the university's commitment to responsible environmental practices. By adopting these eco-friendly guidelines, the University of Peradeniya sets a positive example for future generations, encouraging a culture of environmental responsibility and stewardship.

Eco Guidelines for Meetings

> Venue 

• Check the possibility of meeting online (via Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc.,)

• If meeting in-person, select a location based on the number of participants

> Energy

• If windows to outside are available, open the windows and curtains to prevent the use of air conditioning and increase natural lighting. 

• Use energy efficient lighting for the venue

• Turn on only the required number of lights

• Select a venue with a multimedia projector, white board and internet connection to minimize the use of printed materials.

• Switch off all the devices, when not in use.

> Stationery 

• DO NOT print meeting agendas and minutes, unless absolutely necessary. 

• Share documents online with the participants and encourage them not to print the materials.

• Use  multimedia to share the document during the meeting. 

> Food & Beverages

• Use re-usable dishes, glasses, and cutlery to serve refreshments, tea and meals. Say NO to single use/disposable plasticware. Purchase a set of re-usable dishware for your office use.

•  When appropriate, encourage participants to bring their own  re-usable dishware and cutlery, for their personal use.

• Say NO to single use plastic water bottles. Encourage the participants to bring their own re-usable water bottles. 

• If meals are catered, ask the caterers to bring the meals in compostable containers/liners. 

• Order only the minimum quantities and number of items of food to minimize wastage.

• We encourage you to compost any left over food at your premises. If not put the leftovers in the food waste bin.

Eco Guidelines for Events

> Mode of participation

• Check the possibility of joining proportion of the participants  via  online (social media, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc.,) to minimize the in-person attendance.

> Venue 

• Select an on campus venue appropriate for the number of attendees.

• Select outdoor venues if possible.

> Décor and promotional materials

• Use minimum amount of decorations.

• Use decorations made out of  reusable, recyclable or compostable materials.

• Use locally sourced natural floral arrangements. Contact the Landscape Division for assistance. 

• Use  linen for table covering.

• Use reusable banners, flags and sign boards. Dot not use single use plastic banners, which ends up in garbage.

• Use electronic and social media to publicize your event. 

> Invitations, instructions, presentations, proceedings,  etc.,

• Use emails and social media to invite guests.

• DO NOT print meeting agendas and minutes, unless absolutely necessary. 

• If you are to distribute any documents (conference proceedings, presentations, instructions, agendas, minutes, etc.,) share them electronically. 

• Print only the absolutely required materials. 

• Share documents online with the participants and encourage them not to print the materials.

> Energy

• Organize the event during daytime to reduce the energy consumption.

• Try to avoid the use of air-conditioning.  Use air conditioners, only if they are necessary.

• For thermal comfort, use ceiling fans or portable fans. Keep the doors and windows open for proper ventilation. 

• If windows to outside are available, open the windows and curtains to increase natural lighting. 

• Use energy efficient lighting for the venue.

• Turn on only the required number of lights.

• Switch devices off/unplug  when not in use

> Waste Management

• Take necessary actions to minimize waste generation.

• During the organization stage, contact the Health Center to prepare a waste management plan. They will provide the garbage bins for the event an collect them on a regular basis.

• Inform the attendees to dispose garbage in proper bins. 

> Transportation

• Encourage attendees to participate online (If available).

• Encourage attendees to attend the event using public transport, bicycle or by foot. 

• Encourage attendees to carpool to avoid single occupancy vehicles. 

• Provide shuttle services to transport attendees within the campus, when organizing large events.

> Food & Beverages

• Request attendees to RSVP, for accurate estimate of food and beverage requirement, thus reducing food wastage.

• Request attendees to inform their meal preference.  Always have a vegetarian option.

• Use re-usable dishes, glasses, and cutlery to serve refreshments, tea and meals. Say NO to single use/disposable plasticware. 

• Provide water dispensers. DO NOT serve single use plastic water bottles. Encourage the participants to bring their own re-usable water bottles (BYOB). 

• If meals are catered, ask the caterers to bring the meals in compostable containers/liners. Say NO to Styrofoam containers.

• Order only the minimum quantities and number of items of food to minimize wastage.