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BEYOND BINS VENUE AND EVENT RECYCLING. February 28, 2006 Leslie Lukacs. Convention Center Stadium Theme park Performing Arts Center. Race track Amphitheater Arena. Venues and Special Events. Characteristics. Large amounts of waste generated in short period of time
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BEYOND BINSVENUE AND EVENT RECYCLING February 28, 2006 Leslie Lukacs
Convention Center Stadium Theme park Performing Arts Center Race track Amphitheater Arena Venues and Special Events
Characteristics • Large amounts of waste generated in short period of time • Variation in type of waste • Waste tends to be afterthought • Diverse attendees • Over 2,000/day
Waste Challenges • Large amounts of single use items • High level of food discards • Multiple vendors/contractors • Part-time staff • Training • Resistance to change
Where to Begin • Plan ahead • Appoint recycling/waste management coordinator • Evaluate waste stream • Assess local markets • Design collection, sorting, and transportation system • Select equipment • Organize recycling task force • Education & outreach
Items to Recycle • Cardboard • Plastic bottles • Aluminum cans • Glass bottles • Paper (all grade) • Pallets • Organics
Items That cannot be Recycled • Plastic cups • Cups with plastic lining • Plastic food containers • Single serve condiments • Food wrappers
If you control the input, you control the output
Source Separation vs. Co-mingeled • Decide which materials you are going to separate • Ease of collection • Participation rate • Diversion rate • Contamination rate • Costs • Use of MRF
What to Discuss with the Hauler? • How many bins will event need? • Where will they be delivered? • Who will place them? • Who will empty them? • Where will dumpsters be located? • How often will dumpsters be emptied? Time? • Acceptable contamination level? • Costs? • Request reporting
Bin Selection • Looks different then a trash bin • Small opening on the lid • Clearly labeled • Monitored and serviced • Secured • Use graphics
Bin Placement • Place next to trash container • Concentrate bins in food service locations • Place in well traveled areas (bathrooms, main walkways, entrances/exits) • Place bins behind high generating vendors • Never place recycling bin alone
Education • Keep message simple • Clearly identify bins • Give consistent message • Make recycling noticeable; posters, banners, stickers, cups • Advertise recycling prior to event • Announcements
Concessionaires and Vendors • Educate and remind concessionaires and vendors on recycling procedures • Create vendor recycling instructions • Include information in packets • Deliver recyclables to specific collection point • “This Vendor is Recycling” signs • Award vendors who participate
Increase Diversion • Require sale of beverage containers not cups • Require concessionaires and vendors to use same type of recyclable cup • Ban non-recyclables • Convenience • Create incentives
Training • Temporary or volunteer crews • How and why recycling • On-site training before event • Offer detailed training in multiple languages if needed
Minimize Waste • Purchase durable signs that can be used again • Encourage souvenir cups • Reduced refill price for reusable cups • Replace single serve condiments with tubs • Encourage finger foods • Use reusable utensils/plates • Use cloth napkins or linens when possible
Donation Opportunities • Food organizations • Construction and demolition materials • Left over items
Recycled Content • Close the loop • Event letters, brochures, posters, advertising materials • Paper products including napkins, plates, bags
Costs • Equipment costs • Labor • Transportation costs • Administrative costs • Revenue • Avoided costs
Contracts • Recycling Ordinance • Permits through municipality • Concessionaire and vendor contracts • Permanent recycling at event site
Recognition • Praise participants • Include successes in press release • Apply for awards • Write thank you letters • Press release
Contamination Scavenging Vendor participation Costs Visible, monitor Recycling stations Get buy-in Grants, volunteers Challenges Solutions
After Event • Discuss waste management with staff • What worked/did not work? • How can you improve? • How can you make it easier? • Create database • Examine economics
Conclusion • Begin planning early • Involve vendors • Collect materials the make up significant amount of waste stream • Review opportunities for disposed waste • Solicit volunteers • Reward participants and volunteers • Encourage use of reusable items • Properly place recycling bins • Education and outreach
Venues and Special Events Recycling Council • Technical council of the CRRA • Mission • Workshop prior to annual conference www.crra.com/vserc
Contact Information Leslie Lukacs llukacs@scsengineers.com (562) 426-9544