Zero-waste Events Vendor Outreach and Education Miriam Holsinger Business Development Eureka Recycling Intro: Miriam – working on Zero-waste events for over 10 years – Helping event organizers and nearly 800,000 attendees recycle and compost over 200,000 pounds during that time – about 90% of what was thrown away – at over 300 events ranging from 10 people to 30,000 attendees and 1 – 20 food vendors We’ve worked with over 150 unique vendors this year – when we count the repeat vendors the number jumps to over 170. The vast majority of vendors are only at one event, only 14 were at 2 – 3 events Before I start – can you tell me a bit about you? What brings you here today? What do you want to know?

Eureka Recycling’s mission is to demonstrate that waste is preventable ...not inevitable Who we are – 501c3 Mission driven Cost, convenience, environmental benefit in all we do Demonstration

Eureka Recycling’s Zero Waste LabTM Understanding and overcoming obstacles to zero waste, and demonstrating opportunities that will help us get to zero waste. More about Eureka Recycling - Zero-waste Lab to show that Waste is Preventable – and highlight what is preventing us from preventing it

Zero Waste is About All People Strong Economies Public Health Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Who is familiar with the term “Zero Waste?” What does it mean to you? Linear Economy is Circular economy means we’re not wasting – all outputs are just another input

Why go for Zero at Events? recycling is just trying to maximize diversion So what is a Zero Waste Event? How is different than just recycling and/or composting at events? It is more than just trying to maximize diversion (the amount we recycle and compost) At zero-waste events we have no waste as the goal and attendees get to experience a waste free world. Similar to “Zero Accidents” It doesn’t mean that there will literally be “No Waste” but that EVERYONE is making effort to reduce waste and make it easy for attendees to compost and recycle. A successful Zero-waste Event is a gift that the organizers and vendors and staff give to the attendees and sets you up for even more successful recycling and composting This isn’t about growing products so we can use them once and put them back in the compost. As wonderful as composting is – it is better not to generate it in the first place we’ve found that when you approach event planning with a zero-waste mindset you get increased participation because you’ll harness people who have passion for conservation, for recycling, for local economies, etc as well as those who really like composting. But we’ve also found that when you design an event to work towards zero-waste but first reducing, then making everything easily recyclable and compostable – you get…

Clean Compost! With a zero-waste event we ask that all food and beverage packaging is EASILY compostable + Attendees won’t unwrap stuff or unpack bundled trash so we insist that EVERYTHING food related is compostable + All cups must recyclable OR compostable + About getting those nutrients back into the soil – it isn’t just about diverting stuff from the landfill but getting resources back into the environment + How you compost shows up in why you compost + That is why BPI is so important – it helps us verify that everything is compostable. + Just started requiring BPI certified products this year because compost council asked us too – now that we have seen how many fake products are out there. + The cleaner we keep the compost the more uses there are for it – and when it can be used to replace chemical fertilizers it has even more benefits (upstream benefits). Similar to recycling huge benefits come not only from preventing it from going to the landfill or incinerator but also from reducing the need to extract more raw materials – such as those that are need to make fertilizers, etc.

Zero-waste Events are an Educational Opportunity In my years of work – this is the #1 Reason and it is what keeps our volunteers, staff, and event organizers coming back every year: At events if you make recycling and composting easy you have the opportunity educate and energize thousands of people on how to properly recycle and compost There is power in creating clean compost but even more power in educating 150,000 people that zero-waste is possible and that composting and recycling is easy If everyone is on board and follows our guidelines it isn’t a ton more work for attendees and volunteers – instead a lot of “thanking” people for doing the right thing which builds momentum and makes the event even better

Barriers to composting and Recycling People confuse recycling and composting Compostables are expensive The right products to show off food aren’t always available It takes extra time and labor to manage compostables and recyclables at events

Big Picture Solutions to barriers Ordinances level the playing field Enforcement of ordinances that exist Similar enforcement at all events Better labeling of products and packaging Better compostable products Less expensive More options More accessible Wish List from vendor

Small Picture Solutions to Barriers 1. Require have leadership support Critical for successful event – this will give you the leverage energize people who are interested in being energized and keep the curmudgeons in line. Power/Leadership is frequently more than just the event organizer – it can be the community or other event stakeholders too (Night Market example)

2. Communicate Intentions Once you decide to work towards zero-waste you need to let every one know and tell them what it means. The more people know the better than can support and help Tell people before the event in promotions/web etc Schedule announcements during the event Make sure you have signs, etc too – people learn/hear from a variety of different ways

3. Clear Roles Staff needed in what roles/capacity Prep and Set up equipment Monitor equipment/Assist Vendors/Empty containers Verify vendor compliance at event Clean up Who will manage vendor guidelines/compliance Who, when, and how will communication happen Who will track all communication What are the repercussions if vendors don’t follow guidelines Who will measure impacts Attendees (who is counting) Weight or volume of trash, recycling, compost For small events a lot of this can be taken on by people who have other roles at the event but we’ve found large events it is important that there are staff who are dedicated only to these roles. This last one is KEY! I’ll go into it in more detail

Details are important Example of plastic non-compostable food and beverage tickets which contaminated the compost Also look out for Toothpicks with plastic frilly ends, creamers, ketchup packets, etc Drink stirrers, toothpicks, etc Important to stay though entire event Vendors run out of products Help with cleanup – make friends with vendors

In Summary Waste is completely preventable An event is a great place to demonstrate that There are a lot of ways we can work together to make that happen Big picture stuff – ordinances, consistency, development, Small picture stuff - Planning and support for individual events Important that small picture supports big picture if we want to get anywhere long term – can get buried in the small the stuff if you’re not careful.

Zero Waste is Possible! Questions?

We’re working towards a waste-free tomorrow.....join us! www.eurekarecycling.org miriamh@eurekarecycling.org (612) NO-WASTE