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Steamboat Springs — The Yampa Valley Sustainability Council has launched a new program that members hope will continue their zero-waste efforts.

The Sustainability Council is selling Zero Waste Party Packs, kits that allow people to host zero-waste parties during the holidays.

Andy Kennedy, the Sustainability Council’s zero-waste coordinator, said the nonprofit that promotes green practices had been asked what it could do to help people reduce or eliminate waste during the holidays.

Partnering with Steamboat’s Steve Green Co., council members created the packs that include compostable plates, bowls, utensils, cold and hot cups and napkins for 50 people ($75 plus tax) or 100 people ($140 plus tax). Each party pack includes educational signage and instructions about how to schedule a compost pickup from Twin Enviro Services or how to take it to the Milner Landfill.

Kennedy said information about the party packs was provided to Sustainability Council members in its December newsletter and its board of directors meeting this week. But she added that the Sustainability Council has a different audience in mind.

“We’re trying to reach out to people who don’t realize they can do this, who haven’t heard of zero waste, maybe,” Kennedy said. “Or for people who have but don’t know how to host their own zero-waste party.”

Revenue from selling the party packs will support the Zero Waste Initiative, which will enter its fourth year in 2012, Kennedy said. Since its inception, she said zero-waste efforts have been employed at Steamboat Ski Area, during the Steamboat Springs Free Summer Concert Series, at Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association mixers, during the Mainstreet Farmers Markets, as part of Sustainable Schools and at other events, such as weddings.

Kennedy said selling the party packs was a creative way for the Sustainability Council to fundraise while supporting its programs.

“We don’t have a whole lot of funding,” she said. “We get our funding locally. We try to get grants statewide, but that’s hard. We operate on a small budget.”

The party packs already have been used successfully.

Sustainability Council board member Sarah Jones, who has worked on Sustainable Schools programs, said the party packs were used at Strawberry Park Elementary School to divert 90 gallons in waste for classroom Halloween parties. She said Strawberry Park and Soda Creek Elementary School classrooms will be given party packs for their holiday parties this week.

To order a Zero Waste Party Pack, contact Kennedy at zero@yvsc.org or 970-846-9256, or visit www.yvsc.org/programs-projects/zerowaste and click on “Zero Waste Party Pack.”

To reach Jack Weinstein, call 970-871-4203 or email jweinstein@SteamboatToday.com