The Offset Project

"Our focus is to reduce carbon emissions by bringing communities in the Monterey area together, through education and grassroots initiatives"

Sustainability  Resources

 

Local Case Studies

 

 

 

Big Sur International Marathon

The Big Sur International Marathon (BSIM) understands the importance of developing ecologically and environmentally sound practices surrounding their events.Thier events impact the surrounding Monterey Peninsula communities and efforts to "reduce, re-use, and recycle" go a long way towards keeping the city both green and pristine. 

Gentlemen of the Road Tour, Monterey 2012

The Gentlemen of the Road Tour is committed to spearheading environmental sustainability initiatives at its events.

 Monterey County Fair

The Monterey County Fairgrounds is committed to piloting environmental sustainability initiatives at the Monterey County Fair.

Monterey Jazz Festival

The Monterey Jazz Festival is committed to environmental sustainability. Set in the heart of the ecologically sensitive and uniquely beautiful Monterey Peninsula, the Jazz Festival has become interested in sustainability initiatives and environmental stewardship as it aspires to design responsible cultural events. The Jazz Festival represents an ideal platform for embedding sustainable programs. 

Pebble Beach Company

Pebble Beach Company has a goal- to manage their 2500 acres of golf courses, resort and recreational facilities, and seashore and forested open spaces on a sustainable basis so that Pebble Beach is available for the use and enjoyment of many generations to come.

Pebble Beach Food and Wine Report Card 2010

Pebble Beach Food and Wine has committed to supporting a zero waste environment. First steps have been taken to set up thirty compost bins in the multiple venues of the event. The Offset Project also initiated a cork recycling program that collected roughly 1,400 corks.

Portola Hotel & Spa, Monterey, CA

The Portola Hotel & Spa is now recognized as one of only three existing hotels in all of California and one of six existing hotels in the United States to earn, Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification in the Existing Buildings (EB) category of the LEED Certification program.

Westend Celebration

Nearly a dozen zero-waste stations — composed of several trash, recycling and compostables bins that were attended by knowledgeable volunteers — dotted the festival. 

 


 
 

  Local Products & Services

 

 

Freecycle

Our goal is to reduce waste by connecting people who are throwing away unwanted items with others seeking the same items. 

Hope Services Waste to Wages Project

Store proceeds directly benefit HOPE clients with job training, job placement and independent living services.

Last Chance Mercantile 

If you are a bargain hunter, fixer-upper, remodeling expert or just like to shop, the Last Chance Mercantile is for you. The resale shop operated by the Monterey Regional Waste Management District offers used merchandise at affordable prices.

Little Footprint Lighting

Headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, LittleFootprint Lighting is a manufacturer of LED task lighting products that are made in the USA from recycled materials.Designed with ergonomic lighting in mind, our products deliver the right amount of light where it’s needed.

Local Catch

Local Catch is a Community Supported Fishery (CSF) for Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties. We offer CSA-style weekly shares of fresh, local, sustainable seafood to our members.

Pass It On Please

Have extra swag? Distributing surplus items from trade shows and special events to people in need is what they do at Pass It On Please.

 Passion Purveyors

Passion Purveyors offers food service packaging (what we call Green Goods) delivered locally with no minimum order. They are made from annually renewable resources, like plant fibers and starch, designed to break down in composting conditions - just like a tree branch would. 

People Towels

People Towels, an on-the-go alternative to paper towels, are reusable personal hand towels that make going green as easy as drying your hands.

Seafood Watch 

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program helps consumers and businesses make choices for healthy oceans.

Serendipity Farms

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) provides you with a weekly box of fabulous produce all grown in Carmel and Carmel Valley. 

The Reclaimed Furnishings Project

A place to find unique furnishings that have been created from reclaimed or re-purposed materials.




 

 

Standards & Reporting

 

 

 

 APEX Green Meetings and Events Practice Standards

The Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) is an initiative of the Convention Industry Council to promote development and implementation of industry-wide accepted practices to create and enhance efficiencies throughout the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.

BS8901- Sustainability Management Systems for Events- British Standards Institute

BS 8901 is the British Standard which has been developed specifically for the events industry with a purpose of helping the industry to operate in a more sustainable manner. 

Council For Responsible Sports

Council for Responsible Sport Certified events adhere to principles set forth in six categories: Waste, Climate, Materials & Equipment, Community & Outreach, Health Promotion and Innovation.

Event Sustainability Tool

The Event Sustainability online tool is a guide for implementing sustainability and measuring the impact of an event.

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is a network-based organization that produces a comprehensive sustainability reporting framework that is widely used around the world.
 Green Biz Report- Consumer Perceptions

This green paper provides research findings from the Earthsense Eco-Insights Survey on how consumers perceive corporate environmental responsibility.


Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) 

The GTBS is the national sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK. Originally developed in partnership with Visit Scotland, it is now the only certification scheme validated by Visit Britain, through the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT).

ISO14001- International Standard for Environmental Management

ISO 14001:2004 does not specify levels of environmental performance. If it specified levels of environmental performance, they would have to be specific to each business activity and this would require a specific EMS standard for each business. That is not the intention.

ISO 26000- Guidelines for Social Responsibility

Provides harmonized, globally relevant guidance for private and public sector organizations of all types based on international consensus among expert representatives of the main stakeholder groups.




 

 Organizations

 

 

 

EcoShift Consulting

Ecoshift is a team of sustainability, energy, and climate change experts who work with leading organizations to develop and implement value-creating strategies.

Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC)

The Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) is the premier global community solely dedicated to sustainability in the meetings and events industry, not only through education but also by spearheading research, policy and standards.

Institute for Innovation and Economic Development (iiED)

The International Institute for Environment and Development is a global leader in sustainable development and specialize in linking local to global.

Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCCVB)

The MCVCB supports Monterey County’s tourism and travel industry through a comprehensive range of services.

The Offset Project

The Offset Project focuses on reducing carbon emissions though education and grassroots initiatives. We build sustainability programs for many local events and businesses that engage customers and increase the bottom line. 

Sustainable Event Alliance

The Sustainable Event Alliance is a think-do-teach tank dedicated to making real local progress towards sustainability across our region: in business, social ventures, and government agencies.

 Positive Impact UK- Resources

 We believe that sharing resources is a great way to create a movement for sustainability.

 


 

 



 

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Wednesday, Feb 5 at 10:00 AM - Tuesday, Feb 11 11:00 AM
Thursday, Apr 17 at 12:00 PM - Tuesday, Apr 22 1:00 PM

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