In 2024, we formalized our PPCC Action Plan and kicked off a Pilot Program with strategies to target the driving contributors of food emissions. We’re proud to report over 22% reductions in our menu emissions year-over-year, a total savings of 188,252 kg CO2e and 2.4 kg CO2e per guest served at our events!

Read more about our progress in our Annual Emissions Report below:

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One of our biggest goals this year was to further curtail single-use plastics in our company. Finding viable alternatives is an ongoing priority and we’re beyond proud to share that we…
• Launched a full line of “reusables” inventory, including food vessels, cutlery, and cupware, to use on events and internally
• Designed biodegradable snack bags created solely from plant byproducts
• Upgraded our bar program by transitioning to aluminum cans for water and soft drinks

Say Hello to the Water that Does More

We composted 8,802 pounds of food scraps in just the last four months! This fall, we partnered with Afterlife Mushrooms, a local indoor mushroom farm, who’s helping us conquer one of our top sustainability goals: expanding our composting program across our events throughout the city! With their help, we’re now supplying the compost to grow the beautiful and tasty mushrooms featured in our menus. A true circle of life story!

Creating a Circular Food System with Afterlife Mushrooms

Selected from hundreds of NYC-based food businesses, we proudly signed on as an inaugural signatory to New York City’s Plant-Powered Carbon Challenge and committed to reducing the carbon emissions from our menus by 25% by 2030. This initiative has empowered our Green Team with the support and resources to take our sustainability efforts to the next level.

Our 25% Carbon Cut: NYC’s Plant-Powered Carbon Challenge

Through our ongoing partnership with Billion Oyster Project, we recirculated 1,040 pounds of shells into NY Harbor, contributing to the restoration of over 122 million oysters in our local aquatic ecosystem. This effort helps filter our local waters by supporting a thriving oyster population, and by extension, other marine wildlife as well. In total, we’ve collected over 208,000 oyster shells from our events—always a crowd favorite!

A Drop in the (Blue) Bucket to Restore NY Harbor

For the second year, we reached our plastic-neutral goal by cleaning up 6,000 pounds of plastic pollution, ensuring proper recycling and preventing it from being openly burnt, dumped, or ending up in our oceans. Our cleanup efforts directly support the North Sulawesi community in northern Indonesia, one of the world’s most biodiverse marine environments and, sadly, one of the most impacted by plastic pollution. Two years ago, nearly 48% of non-recyclable waste in this community ended up in landfills. We are proud to say we’ve helped reduce that to roughly 3-7% in 2024!

World Oceans Day: Our Plastic Neutral Pledge!

At TPC, sustainability extends beyond reducing food waste and plastics. Our goal is to think creatively to create a completely circular event process. This year, we continued our partnership with Materials for the Arts, donating decor and other event materials to local students, art programs, and non-profits to reuse creatively in their artistic endeavors.

One Event’s Trash is Another’s Masterpiece

We also began a new partnership with RETI Center in Brooklyn, repurposing corks from our bars to create floating gardens along the NYC coastline. This initiative helps clean our waterways, reduces landfill waste, and creates safe habitats for wildlife to thrive.

From Wine to Water: Recycling our Corks with RETI Center

Our Green Team not only talks the talk, but we walk the walk by continuously educating ourselves, our clients, and our industry. Our website, our menus, and even our event contracts explain our commitment to these sustainability initiatives because for Preti, what we do is about so much more than catering. Keep an eye out for our upcoming Sustainability panels, events, and more in 2025!

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Each of these events served as a powerful platform to raise awareness, inspire action, and make tangible progress toward a more sustainable future. We’re honored to have played a role in producing these meaningful gatherings and to align with partners who share our vision for a healthier planet!

Project InnerSpace showcased the future of clean energy at their Geothermal House event at Hall des Lumières, bringing together leading geothermal startups and industry experts. Attendees explored innovations through immersive experiences like the ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ VR tour and live programming, all celebrating the exciting potential of geothermal technology in the clean energy transition.

At Glasshouse Chelsea, Eco Act organized an exclusive Climate Week NYC event focused on the evolving landscape of voluntary carbon markets, complete with a fireside chat and climate reception. Industry leaders shared insights on regulatory updates, science-based strategies, and financing options, guiding participants on how to navigate carbon offsets for a more sustainable future.

Keep America Beautiful, the largest community improvement group in the US, hosted “The Power of Beauty” at Radio Park, celebrating their mission to inspire and educate communities across the country to create a cleaner, greener, and more beautiful environment for all. Their work plays a vital role in encouraging everyday actions that improve local surroundings.

As part of the United Nations General Assembly, Conservation International connected global leaders at the Central Park Zoo for an evening reception. Heads of State, Indigenous leaders and corporate executives alike gathered to discuss ambitious actions on biodiversity and celebrate key announcements about new financial commitments and the conservation of 30% of the planet by 2030.

Regeneration.VC hosted a two-day climate conference at Civic Hall to highlight the role of Consumer ClimateTech in reducing carbon footprints. Innovative startups and industry stakeholders came together together to present and explore effective strategies to build a greener future by embedding sustainable solutions in consumer value chains.

As part of the PIVOT2024 Catching Fire Conference Series, Project InnerSpace put on an immersive geothermal-themed event at Shift Midtown, offering attendees a glimpse into the cutting-edge world of geothermal energy. With VR experiences, lively discussions, and showcases of leading geothermal startups, it was a celebration of the promise of clean, renewable energy.

Last, but certainly not least, Best Friends Animal Society held their stunning “Save Them All” benefit at The Glasshouse, toasting 40 years of lifesaving and a brighter future for homeless pets. Okay, maybe it wasn’t exactly a “climate event” per se, but their heart-warming mission and completely vegan menu more than qualify for an emphatic shoutout!

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We toured the inconspicuous third-floor operation, currently growing about 9-10 species of mushrooms, including Blue Oyster, Pink Oyster, Lion’s Mane, and Shiitake.

As part of our ongoing sustainability efforts, the kitchen crew at Thomas Preti diligently composts all food scraps. We recently partnered with Afterlife Mushrooms, which uses our compost to feed their mushroom farm.

The team at Afterlife Mushrooms begins the growing process by organizing and bagging collected compost. They sterilize the food waste in large vats at 225˚F and 18 psi for 3-4 hours to kill any harmful microbes. Once sterile, they add different varieties of mycelium, which dictates what mushrooms will grow. They also use gypsum to neutralize naturally acidic waste (such as lemon). It takes about 10-14 days for the mycelium to colonize. After successful colonization, the bagged waste moves into a separate area of the facility exposed to frequent misting and 90% humidity. The team then cuts a hole in the bags as oxygen gives the mushrooms life. It then takes about 7-10 days for the mushrooms to grow fully. Each bag can accommodate two growth cycles.

Afterlife Mushrooms grows about 600 lbs. of mushrooms per week, which requires about 600 lbs. of food waste. They’re excited about the prospect of their new location, as the space can accommodate the growth of 1500 lbs. of mushrooms per week. We look forward to contributing our compost to their growing operation (and, of course, the delicious fungi return as well).

Big thank you to Afterlife Mushrooms for a beautiful tour and learning experience!

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We are ecstatic to have been featured in this annual report, with a special feature article that takes you behind the scenes of our first two weeks of June 2024. It all starts with how we began implementing simple changes that resulted in a reduction of 6,307 kilograms of CO2 equivalent. To put it in perspective, that’s like saving the environment from the emissions of burning nearly 7,000 pounds of coal, driving over 16,000 miles in a gas-powered vehicle, or planting 104 trees and letting them grow for 10 years.

Read the entire feature here about how Thomas Preti and our fellow signatories are making strides to reduce the carbon footprint of our food system!

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The Plant-Powered Carbon Challenge is designed to galvanize the private sector in slashing carbon emissions from our food system, responsible for a third of greenhouse gasses globally (UNFAO).

As an inaugural member of this game-changing program, Thomas Preti Events to Savor has committed to cut the carbon footprint of our menus by 25% by 2030.

This bold goal is a promise to our people and to our planet that we’re committed to ambitious, collective action to fight climate change. We are proud to stand among incredible organizations from across our industry that are leading the charge toward a greener future.

In coordination with NYC’s Office of Food Policy and Greener by Default, we are developing a formal action plan to reach this target, which includes regularly measuring our carbon footprint, designing climate-friendly, plant-forward menus, and reporting on our progress over time.

“We’re beyond honored to be recognized by the city for our commitment to sustainable catering,” said Tommy Preti, co-founder of our Green Team. “We’ve always felt that moving the needle on climate change is all about building partnerships with other businesses and organizations who want to make a difference, and this initiative perfectly aligns with that vision.”

“Catering to our future” (as we like to say at Preti) means finding win-wins for our palates and our planet. This bold initiative reinforces our mission to show by example that long-term thinking and responsible action are what will create the best experiences for our clients, our community, and our company!

Stay tuned for updates on this exciting new journey as we contribute to a greener New York, one bite at a time.

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Founded by Banskota and Pratik Rijal, the Nepal Tea Collective is more than just a tea company. It’s a movement with a mission to lift one million farmers out of poverty within their generation. This immigrant-owned business, established in 2016 and based in New York, is disrupting traditional supply chains to ensure fair wages and sustainable practices from leaf to cup.

What sets Nepal Tea Collective apart is its unwavering commitment to people and planet before profit. By prioritizing organic cultivation and fair trade practices, they’ve turned once impoverished communities into thriving ecosystems. By partnering with Nepal Tea, we’re not only serving exceptional tea, but also supporting a cause we deeply believe in!

One of the most inspiring aspects of Nepal Tea Collective’s approach is their dedication to transparency and traceability. Each tea bag comes with a QR code that allows consumers to learn about the farmers who picked their tea and the region it comes from. This connection between producer and consumer fosters a sense of accountability and empowerment, reinforcing the values of sustainability and ethical sourcing.

Not only does Nepal Tea Collective prioritize social impact, but they also deliver exceptional quality and taste. Their loose-leaf teas and organic blends have garnered international recognition, winning numerous awards for their richness and complexity of flavors. And with their commitment to plastic-free packaging made from fully compostable materials, every sip of Nepal Tea is a step towards a greener future.

For Thomas Preti, partnering with Nepal Tea Collective means more than just upgrading to a premium beverage for our events. It’s about aligning our values with like-minded companies and collectively striving to make a difference in the world. Whether it’s a corporate meeting, gala, or social gathering, we’re proud to exclusively serve Nepal Teas, knowing that each cup supports a brighter future for tea farmers and our planet.

At a time when responsible action is more important than ever, our partnership with Nepal Tea Collective represents a meaningful step towards positive change. Together, we aim to prove that businesses can thrive while prioritizing social and environmental responsibility. So please join us in raising a cup of Nepal Tea, and let’s sip with purpose towards a better tomorrow!

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Open Water’s mission is to fight ocean plastic pollution by eliminating one billion plastic bottles over the next five years. In addition to being Women Owned, Minority Owned, and LGBT inclusive, Open Water has numerous superlatives that align with our sustainability goals at Preti:

Plastic drink bottles and their plastic caps are the number one and number two top items found in beach clean ups. In fact, 91% of plastics never make it to the recycling bin and mostly end up in oceans and landfills. A portion Open Water sales is donated to their ocean clean up projects, which perfectly compliments our company’s goal to remove 6,000 lbs of plastic pollution this year!

But Open Water isn’t just committed to protecting our oceans; they’re at the forefront of offsetting environmental emissions as a whole. Their innovative and thoughtful packaging, production, distribution is 100% carbon neutral. They also champion infinite recycling, as aluminum–unlike plastic or cartons–can go right back into producing another identical bottle. Plus they are BPA-free, meaning they can be safely refilled, which makes Open Water ideal for all-day events and grab-and-go stations.

One more thing we love about Open Water: the taste! Open Water goes through a multi-step purification and remineralization process that creates a deliciously crisp and smooth experience. Each can is packed with natural electrolytes and has a neutral pH to match the healthy pH of your body. The sleek cans are available in both still and sparkling and are a first of their kind.

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Did you know that 15,000 disposable cups are produced and thrown away EVERY SECOND…and less than 5% are ultimately recycled? Thanks to our incredible partners, Cup Zero, we’ve been able to expand our sustainability mission with their full line of infinitely reusable cups, plates, and flatware at our events in both our front- and back-of-house!

Cup Zero makes it easy to ditch single-use cold and hot cups (with lids!) with their full service “reusables” program in New York City. Their offerings include multiple cup sizes with custom branding options, turnkey reuse logistics like collection bins and delivery totes, and they even handle drop off, pickup, and cleaning. And maybe best of all, they’re our neighbor around the corner from our commissary in Long Island City.

We are happy to share that single-use plastic cups have been cut from our company’s inventory. Our old “disposables” have been replaced with Cup Zero’s elegant and durable cups, which can be custom branded for any event with your mitzvah monogram or corporate logo. This means we can offer our clients a sustainable solution that is more cost effective than rental glassware, making Cup Zero a win-win! This partnership not only allows our team to make a difference, but also includes our clients and their guests in improving the environmental footprint of our events.

For your next event, please ask about Cup Zero and help us continue building the future of sustainable events, one cup at a time.

Cheers!

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