Rent, Reuse, Repeat: Sustainable Event Resources
Sept. 12, 2025
Plan green events with rentals and compostables.
Event planners can save time, money and effort by renting materials instead of buying new ones. Support ASU’s sustainability goals by choosing reusable items and compostable materials for your university events.
Check out these resources to find reusable decorations, dining ware, equipment and more:
Search the materials inventory
The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering developed the Events Inventory Program to reduce waste and improve access to free reusable event materials.
ASU employees create an online account to submit, track and even repeat orders. Rentals require a seven-day lead time, and you must pick up and return all rented items. Fees only apply in specific cases; check the rental policy for details.
Users may place unlimited orders from mid-August to late May during the academic year.
Email the Events Inventory Program team with questions about placing orders. For items unavailable through campus resources, use ASU-authorized external event rental companies and follow ASU’s procurement guidelines when working with external vendors.
Sustainable event planning resources
If you want to make your event more sustainable, check out the Greener Gatherings: How Sustainability Enhances Campus Events webpage for these event planning tools:
- Sustainable event planning handbook
- Sustainable materials toolkit
- Sustainable purchasing guidelines
- Zero waste event checklist
Plan zero-waste events
Events typically waste 15–20% of the food they produce, according to Lime Venue Portfolio and BCD Meetings & Events. Sun Devils can help reduce event waste by renting compost, recycling and landfill bins from ASU Moving and Event Services for university-sponsored events. Delivery and pick-up are included in the service cost, making for easy setup and cleanup.
Composting helps keep food waste and plastic serving materials out of landfills. MES also offers these compostable supplies:
- Bamboo cups
- Cutlery
- Recycled napkins
- Sugarcane plates
ASU vets all products to ensure compatibility with its compost stream. Planners with a packed schedule may also stock up on compostable plates and cutlery at the start of the year.
Event planners can also elevate their events with resources from the ASU Library Makerspace’s Tech Lending program, which offers cameras, photo backdrops, portable speakers and even options for VR competitions or interactive photo booths.
By rethinking event planning through rentals, reusables and compostables, Sun Devils can host gatherings that save resources, cut costs and actively support ASU’s commitment to sustainability.
Editor’s note: This article is part of a series about sustainable purchasing at ASU. Topics include sustainable purchasing best practices, notable suppliers and resources.