3:40pm Sunday 1/20/13

1. Going Green
A better way to recycle at outdoor special events.
Presenters:
•Matt Rosebrock – Festival &
Event Manger, Charleston County
Park & Recreation Commission
•Wayne Koeckeritz – Owner, Food
Waste Disposal (FWD)

2. Keys to reducing waste at
outdoor special events.
Why Green?:
A green event is not only environmentally responsible, but it
is also smart business. Sponsors, vendors and attendees
appreciate being part of an eco-friendly event. It’s an
opportunity to educate guests on how to sort their waste and
further expand your organizations mission.

3. Keys to reducing waste at
outdoor special events.
Pre-planning:
• Use compostable products – Biodegradable does
NOT = Compostable.
• Use recyclable products - #1 and #2, most
desirable.
• The more you control the type of waste used at
your event, the higher your success rate.
• No PLASTIC BAGS – encourage vendors to be
considerate of your waste reduction efforts by
using sustainable packaging.
• Vendors- Education and Incentives

4. Keys to reducing waste at
outdoor special events.
Partnerships:
• Collaborate with other organizations who can
help you advance your waste reduction efforts.
Example: CCPRC brought in the non-profit
Charleston Green Fair to help green their event.
• Local schools are a great source of volunteers
and usually have environmental groups or clubs
looking for projects to help with.

5. Keys to reducing waste at
outdoor special events.
Staff & Volunteers:
A volunteer
corps dedicated
to onsite waste
management
throughout the
event is key.
Again look to
non-profit
organizations or
student
organizations
with missions
that align with
greening your
event.

6. Keys to reducing waste at
outdoor special events.
Communication
• Be sure that all of your paperwork for exhibitors
and vendors spells out your waste reduction
plan. (i.e. vendors using plastic bags and
Styrofoam are penalized)
• Incentivize vendors to follow the waste reduction
plan by charging fees for non-compliance.
• Put your waste reduction information at the top
of all email communications and share your
reasons for going green.

7. Keys to reducing waste at
outdoor special events.
Onsite Set Up:
• Resource and Recovery Stations are a key to
success. Designated waste stations help control
waste throughout the event.
• Stations should be manned especially in busy
areas. This also allows your audience to be
educated on how to sort their waste.
• Have a designated staff member in charge of your
resource and recovery volunteers.
• No single trash cans. ALL trash cans should be
located with recycling and/or composting bins and
placed at the resource and recovery stations.
• Require vendors to use these stations.
• Good signage & displays are also important.

8. Keys to reducing waste at
outdoor special events.
Post-Event
• Make sure to gather data. Collect your weights and
share those waste diversion numbers in your post
event press release.
• Look at how you can improve your waste reduction
program each year.
• Celebrate what you have done. Whether you
achieve 20% waste diversion or 95%, you are taking
steps in the right direction and that is worth
celebrating!