Each Kayam event has a sustainability pledge and associated "report card". This is part of our commitment to transparency and accountability. We ask that groups hosting events at Beit Kayam work with us to develop a sustainability pledge for their event.
1) Shop with reusable bags at grocery store
Grade A+
2)organic food
Grade B: we got some organics, but we had a budget and things were expensive
3)No paper plates
Grade A+
4)Don't use too much paper at the event
Grade B+: People shared Facebook Hagaddot but we had a few too many copies since we didn't know how many people would come
Report Card for Hebrew and TeaBrew
1) only organic tea
Grade A+
2)only organic/local snacks
Grade B+...I put out a lot of food that I got for free, and since it was free, I didn't consider if it was local or organic. but i think that's better than throwing food away. people brought really awesome things though like organic oranges and someone even brought a plant! so that balanced it out, right? :)
3) learn some environmental Hebrew words
Grade B. I had one worksheet about planting vocabulary.
I'm also giving us an extra A for enthusiasm. People wanted to see this event happen again, which is awesome.
1. We will encourage people to use recycled and natural materials.
Grade: A+. Yay scrap action.
2. We will have organic and natural snacks.
Grade: A. Snacks were healthy and organic as far as we know.
3. We will encourage people to take public transit, walk, bike, or carpool.
Grade: B. People drove in separate cars, however others either lived in the house or took public transit.
4. We will welcome anyone who chose not to bathe before attending in order to save water. Do you re
Grade: B-. My guests smelled clean.
5. We will limit the use of paper by mostly promoting online.
Grade: A+. We printed a limited number of flyers and primarily advertised online.
1. We will do all promotions online.
Grade: A+. All promotions were done online and trees were thankful.
2. We will have organic snacks.
Grade: A. Most snacks were organic. One type of tea was not organic, but it was a left-over from another event in the community.
3. We will encourage people to take public transit or bike by including that info in our email.
Grade:A. Guests were encouraged to take public transit, bike, or walk. Many were overheard discussing their public transit commute, however numbers of drivers vs. walkers/biker/public transit are uncertain.
1) our snacks will be organic and local
Grade: A. Our snacks came from the co-op, mostly local and organic and there was local wine. We found that crackers usually come from England! Someone even brought homemade Havdallah spices made from an orange and cloves. (Amazing, Ariel.)
2) our advertising is mostly email, and not paper
Grade: A. Only about 20 half sheet flyers were even made.
3) for board games that require drawing, we'll use recycled paper or white board
Grade: A+. No trees were harmed during our games. Actually we didn't use paper at all!
-Guests will be encouraged to bring local/organic food to potluck.
Grade: A. Guests were indeed encouraged, and many did. There was quite a bit of home-made food, which was all delicious.
-Carpooling will be arranged.
Grade: D. As far as I know, no one carpooled, though many of us felt guilty about it. However, some people walked or rode bicycles.
-Potluck will be held in an area accessible to public transit and bicycles.
Grade: A. The potluck was in Laurelhurst Park, and three people arrived via bicycle.
-The organizer will not spend an inordinate amount of time on the enegy-wasting computer getting ready for the potluck.
Grade: A. In fact, the organizer spent so little time on the computer that the event did not make it onto the website.
-Only dry, seasoned wood will be used on the bonfire. This reduces smoke and pollutants.
Grade: B+. The wood was as dry as we could get it, but still smoked a fair amount. May need to investigate other types of wood.
-The bonfire will not be larger than necessary.
Grade: A. The bonfire was small, well-built (thanks, Claire!) and did not even use all the wood we brought.
-Carpooling is being arranged.
Grade: B+. Nine people and one dog, three cars. However, three potential cars were taken off the road by the carpooling arrangements!
-Guests camp or stay in eco-friendly/local hotels, This reduces ecological footprint.
Grade: A. Everyone stayed in one house.
-Guests are encouraged to bring local/organic food to potluck.
Grade: A. Many people did, in fact, bring organic food.
-Brunch food will be at least 90% from local farmers.
Grade: F+. The organizer (me!) misread the information about the Tillamook Farmer's market, which doesn't start till June. Oops! We settled for food from Safeway- all organic and/or local, but certainly a lesser solution.