Recycling for events

Events, whether large or small, can generate a lot of waste. Just setting out trashcans doesn’t cut it anymore. Trashcan = landfill.

Take a big event like Franklin County Field Days. Over just a few days approximately ½ ton of food waste and ½ ton of recycling was generated. That’s 2000 lbs. of waste that would have been sent to the landfill had it not been managed correctly. (Not to mention 10,000 lbs. of manure/straw animal bedding.)

Now, if the biggest event in the area can successfully separate their waste, then your event can do it, too.

1. Think about what sort of waste will be generated.
   1. Often, vendors make the most waste at event. Talk to them personally and tell them about your waste disposal expectations.
2. Acquire containers and clear, concise signage for the waste that you want to collect.
   1. Landfill-bound items. Recycling? Composting? Other?
   2. Contact Aaron Shepard at (802) 524-5986 or ashepard@nwswd.org. We can likely help with containers, signs, and expertise.
3. Cluster your different containers together (i.e., for each trash can, place recycling and composting containers immediately next to them.) Many people, when presented with a stand-alone single container, will unthinkingly throw any waste into it, but when presented with multiple choices together, will attempt to make the right choice.
4. Talk to attendees. Let them know what you are trying to accomplish, whether at the point of entry to the event or at the point of disposal (using volunteers, perhaps?).
5. Afterwards, publicize your successes. Attendees will be more likely to adhere next time and who knows—others may be inspired by your example.