At a glance
The annual UW Night Market hosted by the Taiwanese Student Association at UW has been one of the largest solely… Read full summary
- Funding received
- 2024-2025
- Large
- Awarded
- $10,000
- Funding partners
-
- Services and Activities Fee (SAF)
- Website & social links
The annual UW Night Market hosted by the Taiwanese Student Association at UW has been one of the largest solely student-led events held during May in Red Square every year since 2001; since then, the attendance has significantly grown and has now expanded into the Quad. With last year’s attendance at over 7,000 people we only expect this year’s attendance to be even bigger. Given the substantial magnitude of our event, it poses the risk of significant waste and a carbon footprint, risking environmental concerns for our community. In our commitment to sustainability, we are proud to continue implementing our waste reduction program into our annual UW Night Market for the second year in a row now to mitigate these impacts and ensure a greener and healthier event for everyone involved. Through the success of utilizing the CSF mini grant that we have been awarded in years prior to invest in cleaner policies for our vendors, attendees, and event staff, we are eager to return this year with an application to the CSF large grant with more specific initiatives in mind. This year, we are choosing to focus on two main sustainability factors that we believe will continue to make a difference in our environment not only for this year’s Night Market, but for many to come. These come in the form of encouraging the usage of public transportation as well as carpooling for our attendees and our continued commitment of using sustainable utensils (e.g., plates, utensils, and cups).
The UW Night Market, hosted annually by the Taiwanese Student Association (TSA), is one of the largest student-led events on campus. Since its founding in 2001, the event has grown exponentially, drawing over 7,000 attendees in 2024 and expanding from Red Square into the Quad. With this remarkable growth, however, comes increased environmental responsibility. Recognizing the potential for significant waste and carbon emissions, TSA is committed to scaling up its sustainability efforts by applying for a CSF Large Grant to support greener event practices.
Building on the success of last year’s CSF Mini Grant, which helped implement compostable materials and waste station management, TSA is excited to launch a more ambitious sustainability program in 2025.
This year, we are focusing on two key pillars: 1) encouraging sustainable transportation, and 2) eliminating single-use plastic waste through compostable dining ware.
To reduce transportation-related emissions, we will be implementing a comprehensive campaign promoting public transit and carpooling. By collaborating with UW Transportation Services and leveraging our strong social media presence, we will be offering clear guidance to help attendees choose lower-emission travel options. Simultaneously, we will expand our sustainable dining initiative. Our TSA booth vendors will be required to use compostable plates, utensils, and cups. Our trained student volunteers will manage clearly labeled waste stations to ensure proper sorting and composting. These efforts directly support CSF’s goals of carbon emission reduction and waste diversion, making the UW Night Market a model for sustainable large-scale events.
Our project is entirely student-led and offers hands-on learning for TSA members and volunteers. With dedicated teams overseeing logistics, finance, food, and outreach, this initiative provides real-world experience in sustainability, leadership, and event management. We also emphasize community education by incorporating sustainability messaging through social media campaigns, on-site signage, and volunteer-led engagement at waste stations. The feasibility of our plan is supported by over 20 years of proven event execution and our growing partnerships with campus departments and local organizations. By institutionalizing these practices, we ensure that sustainability remains a core pillar of the Night Market for years to come.
Through this initiative, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint, minimize landfill waste, and educate thousands of attendees on the power of collective environmental action. With the support of a CSF Large Grant, TSA is ready to take the next bold step in creating a greener, more responsible UW Night Market.
Kenny Tseng
Project lead
- chipreeken@gmail.com
- Affiliation
- Student
- Years
- 1 year(s) remaining at UW
- Affiliated groups
- Taiwanese Student Association, Michael G. Foster School of Business
The annual UW Night Market hosted by the Taiwanese Student Association at UW has been one of the largest solely student-led events held during May in Red Square every year since 2001; since then, the attendance has significantly grown and has now expanded into the Quad. With last year’s attendance at over 7,000 people we only expect this year’s attendance to be even bigger. Given the substantial magnitude of our event, it poses the risk of significant waste and a carbon footprint, risking environmental concerns for our community. In our commitment to sustainability, we are proud to continue implementing our waste reduction program into our annual UW Night Market for the second year in a row now to mitigate these impacts and ensure a greener and healthier event for everyone involved.
Through the success of utilizing the CSF mini grant that we have been awarded in years prior to invest in cleaner policies for our vendors, attendees, and event staff, we are eager to return this year with an application to the CSF large grant with more specific initiatives in mind. This year, we are choosing to focus on two main sustainability factors that we believe will continue to make a difference in our environment not only for this year’s Night Market, but for many to come. These come in the form of encouraging the usage of public transportation as well as carpooling for our attendees and our continued commitment of using sustainable utensils (e.g., plates, utensils, and cups).
We believe that our event aligns with the fundamental values of the CSF in more ways than one namely the aforementioned focus on public transportation which has proven to reduce carbon footprint for the thousands of attendees that we have as well as working with vendors to ensure compliance with sustainability guidelines to reduce waste that originates from utensils related to food consumption at our event while also engaging our volunteers and members to manage waste stations effectively, ensuring proper disposal and composting. These practices directly address waste reduction and carbon emissions by improving transportation sustainability and promoting eco-friendly event practices. These efforts will contribute to a cleaner campus and reduce landfill waste.
As for our leadership and student involvement, the UW Night Market is entirely student-led, and our sustainability initiative continues to provide valuable hands-on experience for our members, attendees, and volunteers that are interested in event planning, sustainability, and project management. Our RSO runs on dedicated teams that engage students in various different facets of the Night Market such as Finance, Facilities, Entertainment, Food, and Sponsorship, all of which are crucial to developing personal as well as professional skills for our members.
In terms of our impact on education and outreach, TSA has a massive presence on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, as well as having the pleasure of being featured in UW and Seattle related organizations such as local food accounts, The Daily UW, and ASUW, regarding our annual Night Market event. Each year we incorporate educational elements, including social media campaigns, signage, and outreach efforts to inform attendees about sustainable event practices such as our aforementioned carpooling and public transportation as well as proper waste disposal at our event. All of these are important to us in spreading knowledge to the importance of reducing environmental impact.
Lastly addressing our feasibility and accountability, our Night Market has a long standing tradition of bringing people together and demonstrating the utmost care in organizing, planning, and executing this large scale event every single year. By building upon existing sustainability efforts and leveraging partnerships with campus departments and local agencies, our initiative has strong feasibility and precedence for already being executed. Additionally, our approach ensures long-term sustainability by setting an example for all of our future Night Markets to come.
Kenny Tseng
Treasurer/Finance Director
- chipree@uw.edu
- Affiliation and department
- Taiwanese Student Organization
- Stakeholder approval form
Request amount and budget
A basic summary of our budget expenses include the quote to rent out Red Square as our venue, contracting vendors to sell at our event, electricity costs, water costs, recycling costs, on campus security costs, event insurance, and on campus kitchen venue rental. We would be more than happy to provide a detailed budget breakdown and a balance sheet if needed.
How the project will react to funding reductions
We deeply value the CSF’s mission and understand that funding must be distributed equitably among many deserving projects. With that being said, our proposal has been intentionally designed with flexibility in mind. While full funding would allow us to implement all elements of our sustainability plan at our planned scale, the core values and impact of our initiative will remain intact even with reduced support.
10% Funding Reduction
A 10% cut would have us maintain all key initiatives—compostable vendor requirements, public transportation and carpool outreach, and volunteer-managed waste stations. To accommodate the cut, we would reduce spending on supplemental materials such as printed signage or transportation incentives.
20% Funding Reduction
With a 20% reduction, we would continue enforcing compostable vendor policies and running our core waste management operations. However, we would likely scale down the number of recycling and composting bins that we have and limit compostable supply reserves for vendor back-up. We would shift more educational outreach to digital platforms (e.g., Instagram infographics) and reduce printed educational materials. Our transportation campaign would still run, but again with much less printed signage and promotional material.
50% Funding Reduction
With half the funding, we would focus solely on the most essential and impactful components. This includes enforcing compostable material usage among vendors, maintaining at least a few centralized, well-labeled waste stations, and conducting core outreach via social media. Volunteer staffing would be consolidated, and we would rely more heavily on returning volunteers with previous training. The transportation campaign would be digital-only, and all supplemental materials, such as printed signage and backup utensils would be cut. Our project would retain its educational sustainability and operational value, but at a smaller scale.
Plans for financial longevity
Our Night Market has never been an event that has aimed to target the most amount of profit possible, but rather one that seeks to engage as many people as possible whether that be the students and staff that attend, the vendors that we invite to sell, or the performers that we sign on to entertain. Taiwanese culture prioritizes the well being of the the whole instead of focusing on individualism, which is what our event has been about since its inception. TSA looks to many different funding sources every year as well as our internal fundraisers to generate as much investment as possible before every year's Night Market. Since obtaining our 501(c) Non-Profit status, we have also had the benefit of receiving support from local grants as well as our corporate sponsors.
The Campus Sustainability Fund has been a greatly beneficial part of our operations for a few years now and TSA has developed an amazing network of support through sponsors, fundraisers, and grantmakers who have allowed our event to happen every single year. The long-term management of our project is conducted through our executive team which oversees the allocation of our funding and planning of our Night Market, which in this case, we plan to integrate sustainability-related expenses into our core Night Market budget moving forward. While initial funding from the CSF Large Grant will cover infrastructure expansion (e.g., additional compostable materials and improved signage), TSA is committed to maintaining these practices through a combination of RSO funding, event sponsorships, and potential collaboration with campus partners such as UW Recycling and UW Sustainability.
In summary, the TSA has built a strong organizational foundation that allows for the seamless integration of sustainable practices into the long-term planning, staffing, and budgeting of the UW Night Market. Our approach ensures that the progress enabled by CSF funding is not only maintained but continually improved upon with each passing year.
Since this event is annual, we work on each year's Night Market starting during the summer, which includes securing Red Square for the event, building approval, as well as securing early funding. During fall quarter, we focus on dividing teams, securing kitchen rental, acquiring more funding, as well as sponsorships from our partners. In the winter we begin signing vendor contracts, finalizing facility rentals like water/electricity, and finishing up insurance/security. Spring is where funding is mostly finalized and the event itself is executed. We would be happy to share a more detailed timeline if needed.
Plans for long-term project management
Like aforementioned, TSA runs this event each and every year with the goal in mind that we can contribute not only a cultural impact by sharing Taiwanese culture, food, and tradition, but also by setting an example for other large events that are run at the University of Washington. We are committed to implementing our initiatives for compostable utensils as well as our continued support of public transportation for our attendees throughout every future Night Market. Even after our current leaders graduate, we have demonstrated the longevity and success of our Night Market for over 20 years now and the community of the Taiwanese Student Organization will always cherish the Night Market event as what makes us so unique and as a sense of pride for making such an amazing project come to fruition throughout the year. We have plans to not only keep our existing sustainability practices, but we look to expand them in the coming years through more emphasis on composting all of our waste at the event itself as well as a larger recycling project that will involve all of our vendor partners at the event.
While successors for each role are elected annually, we are actively identifying and mentoring underclassmen to step into key leadership positions. Many of our current project leads joined as first- or second-year students and gained experience through smaller responsibilities before moving into executive roles. This intentional pipeline helps preserve institutional knowledge and ensure that our sustainability efforts continue to thrive.
With these systems in place, TSA is confident that our commitment to sustainability at the UW Night Market will endure beyond any single year or group of students.
Problem statement
The UW Night Market has been one of the largest student-led events held in Red Square every year since 2001; since then, the attendance has significantly grown and has now expanded into the Quad. With last year’s attendance at over 7,000 people we only expect this year’s attendance to be even bigger. Given the substantial magnitude of our event, it results in a significant amount of waste and a carbon footprint, posing environmental concerns for our community. In our commitment to sustainability, we aim to persist in implementing our zero-waste program to mitigate these impacts and ensure a greener and healthier event for everyone involved.
Problem context
We intend to utilize CSF funding to enhance sustainability at UW by prioritizing the adoption of environmentally friendly packaging for our TSA food booth, such as compostable utensils and serving platters. In addition to implementing stringent environmental standards internally, we are committed to ensuring our vendors align with our sustainability goals and actively support our endeavors.
Building on our initiatives from the previous year, where we began communicating our commitment to a cleaner Night Market with our vendors, this year, we aim to solidify our goals and establish clear accountability for environmental standards. Given the significant foot traffic the Night Market attracts, with last year's attendance exceeding 7,000, we will actively promote sustainable transportation practices. Encouraging attendees to opt for public transportation or carpooling instead of individual driving is a key aspect of our strategy to minimize carbon emissions. To achieve this, we plan to disseminate information through marketing posts, flyers on our Instagram page, and our website, featuring maps and infographics outlining public transportation options.
Our efforts contribute to a larger network of student-led sustainability action. As a prominent RSO hosting one of the largest campus events, TSA’s work sets an example for how cultural and social events can operate sustainably, encouraging other RSOs and departments to follow suit. Our goal is to normalize sustainable practices at high-traffic events and share our sustainability toolkit with other student groups looking to implement similar solutions.
Measure the impacts
| Impact / goal | Metric(s) of success | UW stakeholders impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Reducing Carbon Emissions Through Public Transportation Use | 7000 Attendees Engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
| Reducing Plastic Waste Through Compostable Utensils | 7000 Attendees Engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
| Educate UW students and the Greater Seattle Area about Taiwanese traditions and culture | 7000 Attendees Engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
Education and outreach goals
Public outreach and education are essential components of our UW Night Market sustainability initiative. As one of the largest student-run events on campus with over 7,000 attendees in 2024, we recognize the unique opportunity we have to not only reduce the environmental impact of a single event, but also shift behavior, spread awareness, and model sustainable practices for the broader campus community. Our outreach strategy centers on accessibility, student engagement, and visual impact, combining both digital and in-person efforts before, during, and after the event.
The Taiwanese Student Association (TSA) at UW has a strong, established presence across multiple communication platforms, and we plan to leverage this to elevate the visibility of our sustainability initiatives:
TSA has a history of being featured in The Daily UW and local media accounts like @seattlefoodieadventure and @uw_seattle_memes. We will be leveraging this to use our platforms to increase awareness about this year's focus on sustainability through public transportation use and sustainable utensils.
While we are prioritizing digital outreach, we will also print minimal but impactful educational signage to place around the venue. These signs will be:
- Located at all waste stations, with visual guides for compost/recycle/landfill sorting
- Posted near entrances to remind attendees to keep the event low-waste
- Included in vendor areas to reinforce their compostable materials use
All signage will use clear, student-friendly language and graphics, drawing from existing UW Recycling templates. Our education and outreach plan isn’t limited to informing people what we’re doing—it’s about why we’re doing it. The ultimate goal is to foster a culture of sustainability among students and event-goers who may not typically think of environmental responsibility in connection with cultural events or large gatherings.
We’ve identified three primary education goals:
By embedding sustainability into the structure of a major student event like the Night Market, we aim to show that environmentally responsible practices can—and should—be standard, not exceptional. Attendees will learn that compostable utensils, waste station volunteers, and transit incentives are part of what makes the Night Market successful—not additional or burdensome components.
For many attendees, especially first-year students or those new to campus, this may be the first time they engage with structured waste-sorting stations or composting at an event. We will use this opportunity to educate attendees on the importance of these actions and their cumulative impact.
TSA is proud to showcase the richness of Taiwanese culture through the Night Market. We also want to highlight the cultural values of stewardship and community care, which align with environmental sustainability. Through storytelling and educational content, we’ll draw connections between these values and the practices we’re promoting at the event.
Student involvement
TSA’s organizational structure is made up entirely of students, with teams focused on essential areas such as Facilities, Finance, Entertainment, Sponsorship, and Food. Sustainability has become a key priority embedded within these existing teams, offering meaningful professional development for students involved across all facets of the event. Our officers that are engaged in planning the Night Market gain real-world skills such as budgeting and resource allocation, event logistics/vendor coordination, collaboration with campus departments like UW Recycling, and time management, leadership, and team communication under the pressure of executing a large-scale event. These responsibilities can mirror professional roles in jobs that our alumni currently hold such as project management, consulting, public affairs, and event planning—making this experience highly transferable to future careers.
Each year, TSA recruits a large group of volunteers to help manage the Night Market. These volunteers are an essential part of our event and they receive guidance and hands-on opportunities to contribute to our goals. Through these experiences, volunteers gain practical exposure to environmental education, community engagement, and sustainability-in-action—skills that are especially valuable for students exploring fields such as public health, environmental studies, communications, and urban planning.
TSA maintains strong internal structures for knowledge-sharing and leadership transition. Every team involved in planning the Night Market works closely with returning officers, creating opportunities for students to grow into leadership positions over time. This peer-based mentorship model builds soft skills like communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution critical components of professional development that are difficult to teach in a more traditional setting. Many of our officers use their experiences from the Night Market in resumes, cover letters, and interviews to demonstrate leadership and initiative. For some, this becomes a springboard into future internships, research roles, and graduate school applications.
The UW Night Market sustainability initiative is not only a step toward a greener campus, but also a high-impact learning opportunity for our officers who bring it to life. From logistical planning and volunteer engagement to interdepartmental collaboration and real-world implementation, our officers are at the center of every decision and outcome. These experiences foster professional growth, build practical skills, and help shape the next generation of our organization's leaders.
Problem statement
The UW Night Market has been one of the largest student-led events held in Red Square every year since 2001; since then, the attendance has significantly grown and has now expanded into the Quad. With last year’s attendance at over 7,000 people we only expect this year’s attendance to be even bigger. Given the substantial magnitude of our event, it results in a significant amount of waste and a carbon footprint, posing environmental concerns for our community. In our commitment to sustainability, we aim to persist in implementing our zero-waste program to mitigate these impacts and ensure a greener and healthier event for everyone involved.
Problem context
We intend to utilize CSF funding to enhance sustainability at UW by prioritizing the adoption of environmentally friendly packaging for our TSA food booth, such as compostable utensils and serving platters. In addition to implementing stringent environmental standards internally, we are committed to ensuring our vendors align with our sustainability goals and actively support our endeavors.
Building on our initiatives from the previous year, where we began communicating our commitment to a cleaner Night Market with our vendors, this year, we aim to solidify our goals and establish clear accountability for environmental standards. Given the significant foot traffic the Night Market attracts, with last year's attendance exceeding 7,000, we will actively promote sustainable transportation practices. Encouraging attendees to opt for public transportation or carpooling instead of individual driving is a key aspect of our strategy to minimize carbon emissions. To achieve this, we plan to disseminate information through marketing posts, flyers on our Instagram page, and our website, featuring maps and infographics outlining public transportation options.
Our efforts contribute to a larger network of student-led sustainability action. As a prominent RSO hosting one of the largest campus events, TSA’s work sets an example for how cultural and social events can operate sustainably, encouraging other RSOs and departments to follow suit. Our goal is to normalize sustainable practices at high-traffic events and share our sustainability toolkit with other student groups looking to implement similar solutions.
Measure the impacts
| Impact / goal | Metric(s) of success | UW stakeholders impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Reducing Carbon Emissions Through Public Transportation Use | 7000 Attendees Engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
| Reducing Plastic Waste Through Compostable Utensils | 7000 Attendees Engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
| Educate UW students and the Greater Seattle Area about Taiwanese traditions and culture | 7000 Attendees Engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
Education and outreach goals
Public outreach and education are essential components of our UW Night Market sustainability initiative. As one of the largest student-run events on campus with over 7,000 attendees in 2024, we recognize the unique opportunity we have to not only reduce the environmental impact of a single event, but also shift behavior, spread awareness, and model sustainable practices for the broader campus community. Our outreach strategy centers on accessibility, student engagement, and visual impact, combining both digital and in-person efforts before, during, and after the event.
The Taiwanese Student Association (TSA) at UW has a strong, established presence across multiple communication platforms, and we plan to leverage this to elevate the visibility of our sustainability initiatives:
TSA has a history of being featured in The Daily UW and local media accounts like @seattlefoodieadventure and @uw_seattle_memes. We will be leveraging this to use our platforms to increase awareness about this year's focus on sustainability through public transportation use and sustainable utensils.
While we are prioritizing digital outreach, we will also print minimal but impactful educational signage to place around the venue. These signs will be:
- Located at all waste stations, with visual guides for compost/recycle/landfill sorting
- Posted near entrances to remind attendees to keep the event low-waste
- Included in vendor areas to reinforce their compostable materials use
All signage will use clear, student-friendly language and graphics, drawing from existing UW Recycling templates. Our education and outreach plan isn’t limited to informing people what we’re doing—it’s about why we’re doing it. The ultimate goal is to foster a culture of sustainability among students and event-goers who may not typically think of environmental responsibility in connection with cultural events or large gatherings.
We’ve identified three primary education goals:
By embedding sustainability into the structure of a major student event like the Night Market, we aim to show that environmentally responsible practices can—and should—be standard, not exceptional. Attendees will learn that compostable utensils, waste station volunteers, and transit incentives are part of what makes the Night Market successful—not additional or burdensome components.
For many attendees, especially first-year students or those new to campus, this may be the first time they engage with structured waste-sorting stations or composting at an event. We will use this opportunity to educate attendees on the importance of these actions and their cumulative impact.
TSA is proud to showcase the richness of Taiwanese culture through the Night Market. We also want to highlight the cultural values of stewardship and community care, which align with environmental sustainability. Through storytelling and educational content, we’ll draw connections between these values and the practices we’re promoting at the event.
Student involvement
TSA’s organizational structure is made up entirely of students, with teams focused on essential areas such as Facilities, Finance, Entertainment, Sponsorship, and Food. Sustainability has become a key priority embedded within these existing teams, offering meaningful professional development for students involved across all facets of the event. Our officers that are engaged in planning the Night Market gain real-world skills such as budgeting and resource allocation, event logistics/vendor coordination, collaboration with campus departments like UW Recycling, and time management, leadership, and team communication under the pressure of executing a large-scale event. These responsibilities can mirror professional roles in jobs that our alumni currently hold such as project management, consulting, public affairs, and event planning—making this experience highly transferable to future careers.
Each year, TSA recruits a large group of volunteers to help manage the Night Market. These volunteers are an essential part of our event and they receive guidance and hands-on opportunities to contribute to our goals. Through these experiences, volunteers gain practical exposure to environmental education, community engagement, and sustainability-in-action—skills that are especially valuable for students exploring fields such as public health, environmental studies, communications, and urban planning.
TSA maintains strong internal structures for knowledge-sharing and leadership transition. Every team involved in planning the Night Market works closely with returning officers, creating opportunities for students to grow into leadership positions over time. This peer-based mentorship model builds soft skills like communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution critical components of professional development that are difficult to teach in a more traditional setting. Many of our officers use their experiences from the Night Market in resumes, cover letters, and interviews to demonstrate leadership and initiative. For some, this becomes a springboard into future internships, research roles, and graduate school applications.
The UW Night Market sustainability initiative is not only a step toward a greener campus, but also a high-impact learning opportunity for our officers who bring it to life. From logistical planning and volunteer engagement to interdepartmental collaboration and real-world implementation, our officers are at the center of every decision and outcome. These experiences foster professional growth, build practical skills, and help shape the next generation of our organization's leaders.
Problem statement
The UW Night Market has been one of the largest student-led events held in Red Square every year since 2001; since then, the attendance has significantly grown and has now expanded into the Quad. With last year’s attendance at over 7,000 people we only expect this year’s attendance to be even bigger. Given the substantial magnitude of our event, it results in a significant amount of waste and a carbon footprint, posing environmental concerns for our community. In our commitment to sustainability, we aim to persist in implementing our zero-waste program to mitigate these impacts and ensure a greener and healthier event for everyone involved.
Problem context
We intend to utilize CSF funding to enhance sustainability at UW by prioritizing the adoption of environmentally friendly packaging for our TSA food booth, such as compostable utensils and serving platters. In addition to implementing stringent environmental standards internally, we are committed to ensuring our vendors align with our sustainability goals and actively support our endeavors.
Building on our initiatives from the previous year, where we began communicating our commitment to a cleaner Night Market with our vendors, this year, we aim to solidify our goals and establish clear accountability for environmental standards. Given the significant foot traffic the Night Market attracts, with last year's attendance exceeding 7,000, we will actively promote sustainable transportation practices. Encouraging attendees to opt for public transportation or carpooling instead of individual driving is a key aspect of our strategy to minimize carbon emissions. To achieve this, we plan to disseminate information through marketing posts, flyers on our Instagram page, and our website, featuring maps and infographics outlining public transportation options.
Our efforts contribute to a larger network of student-led sustainability action. As a prominent RSO hosting one of the largest campus events, TSA’s work sets an example for how cultural and social events can operate sustainably, encouraging other RSOs and departments to follow suit. Our goal is to normalize sustainable practices at high-traffic events and share our sustainability toolkit with other student groups looking to implement similar solutions.
Measure the impacts
| Impact / goal | Metric(s) of success | UW stakeholders impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Reducing Carbon Emissions Through Public Transportation Use | 7000 Attendees Engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
| Reducing Plastic Waste Through Compostable Utensils | 7000 Attendees Engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
| Educate UW students and the Greater Seattle Area about Taiwanese traditions and culture | 7000 Attendees Engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
Education and outreach goals
Public outreach and education are essential components of our UW Night Market sustainability initiative. As one of the largest student-run events on campus with over 7,000 attendees in 2024, we recognize the unique opportunity we have to not only reduce the environmental impact of a single event, but also shift behavior, spread awareness, and model sustainable practices for the broader campus community. Our outreach strategy centers on accessibility, student engagement, and visual impact, combining both digital and in-person efforts before, during, and after the event.
The Taiwanese Student Association (TSA) at UW has a strong, established presence across multiple communication platforms, and we plan to leverage this to elevate the visibility of our sustainability initiatives:
TSA has a history of being featured in The Daily UW and local media accounts like @seattlefoodieadventure and @uw_seattle_memes. We will be leveraging this to use our platforms to increase awareness about this year's focus on sustainability through public transportation use and sustainable utensils.
While we are prioritizing digital outreach, we will also print minimal but impactful educational signage to place around the venue. These signs will be:
- Located at all waste stations, with visual guides for compost/recycle/landfill sorting
- Posted near entrances to remind attendees to keep the event low-waste
- Included in vendor areas to reinforce their compostable materials use
All signage will use clear, student-friendly language and graphics, drawing from existing UW Recycling templates. Our education and outreach plan isn’t limited to informing people what we’re doing—it’s about why we’re doing it. The ultimate goal is to foster a culture of sustainability among students and event-goers who may not typically think of environmental responsibility in connection with cultural events or large gatherings.
We’ve identified three primary education goals:
By embedding sustainability into the structure of a major student event like the Night Market, we aim to show that environmentally responsible practices can—and should—be standard, not exceptional. Attendees will learn that compostable utensils, waste station volunteers, and transit incentives are part of what makes the Night Market successful—not additional or burdensome components.
For many attendees, especially first-year students or those new to campus, this may be the first time they engage with structured waste-sorting stations or composting at an event. We will use this opportunity to educate attendees on the importance of these actions and their cumulative impact.
TSA is proud to showcase the richness of Taiwanese culture through the Night Market. We also want to highlight the cultural values of stewardship and community care, which align with environmental sustainability. Through storytelling and educational content, we’ll draw connections between these values and the practices we’re promoting at the event.
Student involvement
TSA’s organizational structure is made up entirely of students, with teams focused on essential areas such as Facilities, Finance, Entertainment, Sponsorship, and Food. Sustainability has become a key priority embedded within these existing teams, offering meaningful professional development for students involved across all facets of the event. Our officers that are engaged in planning the Night Market gain real-world skills such as budgeting and resource allocation, event logistics/vendor coordination, collaboration with campus departments like UW Recycling, and time management, leadership, and team communication under the pressure of executing a large-scale event. These responsibilities can mirror professional roles in jobs that our alumni currently hold such as project management, consulting, public affairs, and event planning—making this experience highly transferable to future careers.
Each year, TSA recruits a large group of volunteers to help manage the Night Market. These volunteers are an essential part of our event and they receive guidance and hands-on opportunities to contribute to our goals. Through these experiences, volunteers gain practical exposure to environmental education, community engagement, and sustainability-in-action—skills that are especially valuable for students exploring fields such as public health, environmental studies, communications, and urban planning.
TSA maintains strong internal structures for knowledge-sharing and leadership transition. Every team involved in planning the Night Market works closely with returning officers, creating opportunities for students to grow into leadership positions over time. This peer-based mentorship model builds soft skills like communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution critical components of professional development that are difficult to teach in a more traditional setting. Many of our officers use their experiences from the Night Market in resumes, cover letters, and interviews to demonstrate leadership and initiative. For some, this becomes a springboard into future internships, research roles, and graduate school applications.
The UW Night Market sustainability initiative is not only a step toward a greener campus, but also a high-impact learning opportunity for our officers who bring it to life. From logistical planning and volunteer engagement to interdepartmental collaboration and real-world implementation, our officers are at the center of every decision and outcome. These experiences foster professional growth, build practical skills, and help shape the next generation of our organization's leaders.