Involve the People… Donna Kliewer, Waste Services Manager

WHY Involve the Community in a Green Event?  Change model of behavior  Increase environmental awareness  Increase participation in local waste minimization programs

WHO Can You Involve in Your Special Events?  What businesses are in your city/county that provide frequently used/needed services?  Who volunteers for you?  Which non-profits are in your community?  What services are desired or could easily be provided on the day of your event?  What non-profit is quietly in the background doing good work?

What Makes THEM Want to be Involved With YOU?  Explain the goals & vision of the event & the benefits of partnership  Invite them to participate

How Do You Reach the Community?  Personal invitation  Banners  USPostal  Website  Press release to all media contacts  Articles in media: newspapers, e-news, community chat, local magazines, Facebook, Twitter, Constant Contact

A Few Allen Examples… USA Celebration – the largest zero waste event in North Texas celebrates Independence Day Allen Recycles Day – a day of cleanup, greenup, recycle and celebration Great American Cleanup – a KAB national community clean up event Earthfest – a celebration of an active & environmentally healthy community Educator Expo – showcasing free educational programs & distributing donated door prizes

80,000 visitors from 4 – 11pm USA Celebration Essentials: By-in, Education, Volunteers

Parks & Recreation Dept Main Keep Allen Beautifulplayers Community Waste Disposal Food vendors City Staff break/dining area VIP break/dining area Police Dept Fire Dept Businesses with interactive displays Radio Disney On site Various bounce house/slide vendors players Live local bands & national headliner band Fireworks USA Celebration

AUSA Results 8,050 pounds of materials collected Plastic, aluminum, glass containers31.06% Compost materials, OCC, wood 59.01% Regular trash/waste 9.94% A Zero Waste Event has less than 10% of the A Zero Waste Event has less than 10% of the waste materials sent to the landfill waste materials sent to the landfill

Allen Recycles Day Medication take-back local hospital & PD Shredding local business Metals & computers regional: partner Bicycles regional: non-profit Eyeglasses local: Lion’s Club Books, CDs, DVDs local: F.OT. Library Shoes regional: The Shoe Bank Pet items local: Animal Shelter OCC regional: CWD Household items local charity: ACO

ARD Results 74.71% recycled 18.9% repurposed>200 vehicles 4.10% composted per hour! 2.26% trashed 902 lbs. incinerated medication/needles

Great American Cleanup Shredding local business Metals & computers est. partner: Cyclone Bicycles regional: Spokes for Folks Eyeglasses local: Lion’s Club Books, CDs, DVDs local: Friends o.t. Library Shoes regional: The Shoe Bank Pet items local: Animal Shelter OCC est. partner: CWD Household items local charity: ACO

GAC Results Recycle/Compost/Reuse76% Trash 24% 1583 vehicles served 129 volunteers

Earthfest Participants: environmentally-minded non- profits, educators, environmental clubs, BSA, GSA, local hospital, REI, CC Master Naturalists, AHA, AGC, KAB, Heard Museum, NT Kayak Club, Heritage Guild, Texas Pure Products, BLP Raptor Center, In-Sync Exotics, Connemara Land Trust

Educator Expo Participants: City of Allen Departments - SW, Code Enforcement, CWD, Community Development (Planning), Animal Shelter, PD, FD, Public Library, Water Conservation, Urban Forestry Non-Profits – Keep Allen Beautiful, Heritage Guild, Alliance for a Healthier Allen County - Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists

Involve YOUR Community in Your Next Green Event! The first steps to implement a Waste Minimization Program at your Special Events are small steps that involve your community. Small steps will lead to a wildly successful event.