What are Best Practices for Managing Waste at Summer Festivals and Community Events – read here!
Every summer, Toronto’s filled with all sorts of festivals and fun community events. There are food events, film festivals, park concerts, parades, cultural celebrations, and so much more. When organizers don’t approach these occasions with a waste management plan, they can produce a disappointing amount of waste.
Thankfully, there are ways to bring a community event or summer festival closer to being green and clean. Focusing on material reduction and waste diversion, alongside connecting with a recycling service in Toronto, some events can even achieve zero waste. Organizers and attendees have a role to play to make it happen though.
Make a plan.
The best thing any community event organizer can do pertaining to waste management is plan ahead. To avoid producing and dumping any more non-recyclable waste than you need to, allow yourself the time to figure it out. Explore the costs, services, and creative ideas which may assist you. Believe us when we say trying to come up with a last-minute solution is not the way to go about figuring out your waste disposal plan.
Find a service provider.
Assisting with the waste disposal, an event will likely need to partner with a Toronto waste management service to make it happen. Secure a partnership with one that aligns with your values. You want to ensure your recyclables can in fact be recycled. An experienced service provider can also provide advice and guidance on possible ways to limit your waste. There is unavoidable waste creation associated with an event but there may be opportunities to reuse, recycle, or reduce.
Less waste in is less waste out.
Look at the waste you will create. Are there alternative products you can use to replace this waste – if so, consider making the switch. If you need something to store or carry food, there may be recyclables you can buy in its place. Something as simple as choosing paper or compostable containers over Styrofoam can make a huge difference in your waste output.
Increase recyclables.
Increase the number of recyclables and ensure appropriate waste bins are set up to procure all types of waste. Paper and containers, mixed containers, and any food compostables require a place to put them. Set up recycling bins beside any trash cans and ensure they are clearly marked. If you think it appropriate, consider making the signs bilingual.
Vendor contractors.
Organizing an event, you may have certain sponsors or vendors coming to set up a display. Contact them to ensure they are aware of your recycling policy. You don’t want to go through all this hard work only to find that a vendor is polluting the place with non-recyclables. Require any vendors or suppliers to commit to the same recycling goals you have. Consider adding a disposal fee or tax if a vendor is producing a large amount of waste, although this may be not preferable for some.
Any event can have waste or recycling problems. If you don’t know how to resolve a waste management issue or you don’t know where to start in planning a more eco-friendly, recycling-driven policy, contact Core Mini Bins. We can help in identifying opportunities to minimize waste, arrange for waste disposal, and set up means of recycling. For summer festivals, community events, and everything Toronto has to offer this summer, let’s make it both fun and recycling-friendly!
