Miami Beach is going plastic-free and demanding more sustainable events. Waste reduction / greening your festival, venue or event can even improve your profits.!. Here's a simple guide to give you ideas.

1. Festival Waste
Reduction Strategy
to increase profits
Presented by VolunteerCleanup.Org
Greening@VolunteerCleanup.Org

2. A Visual Audit of post-show trash consists of 4 items
• Beer Cans (High value recyclable)
• Water Bottles (Recyclable)
• Plastic cups (Not recyclable)
• Plastic Straws (Not recyclable)

3. THE GOAL
• Eliminate Single Use Plastics
• Increase Recycling
• Reduce Landfill Waste
WHY?
• The planet is awash is non-recyclable single-use plastics
• Aluminum will return as a new can in 60 days
• Customers are demanding it
• Bands are demanding it
• The City is demanding it
• The industry is moving in this direction
• Changes don’t need to affect profits
• It’s the right thing to do
http://www.mbrisingabove.com/climate-
mitigation/plastic-free-miami-beach/

4. Coral Sky Amphitheater
REFILLABLE
TIN CUPS
Allow customer refills

5. Best Practices – Pair trash cans directly with recycling cans that have clear signage/marking, visual examples of what goes in
the cans, and round holes. Use clear bags for recycling, and black bags for landfill. Empty clear bags directly into recycling bin
(plastic bags break recycling facility machinery). Separate cleaning crews – half pick up landfill, half picks up only recycling.
70% of North Beach Bandshells waste
goes to recycling. Customers and the City
are noticing with very positive responses!
Recycling is easy at live shows and music lovers are getting used to recycling right
(Tortuga Festival, Ultra, Miami Beach Pop). Use clear bags and educate cleaning
crew on recycling practices. Our favorite design is Clear Stream®
https://www.clearstreamrecycling.com
Innovations – Effective Recycling

6. Innovations – Beer and Cocktails
GIVE - Refillable/Recyclable Aluminum Cups
specifically designed for Festivals / Venues
https://www.ball.com/na/solutions/markets-capabilities/capabilities/aluminum-cups
SELL - Branded Cups / Encourage Refills
$15 includes cup, first drink, $1-2 discount on refills
https://steelysdrinkware.com/products/stainless-steel-cups/
RENT – Reusable Cup Program
Rent – Drink – Return or Keep
rcup.com or do it yourself with Steel
Cups (if you can wash)
SELL – Beer and Pre-made cocktails
in Aluminum Cans
Easiest option – No plastic cups.!.

7. Innovations - Water
SELL - Water in Aluminum Cans
Thehiddenwater.com - $0.37 per can
GIVE - Water Refill Station
City of Miami Beach Facilities will retrofit

8. Innovations –
Food Service
SWITCH TO PAPER AND BAMBOO
Require food containers and
silverware to be biodegradable
(absolutely no Styrofoam.!.)

9. Innovations – Cigarette Butt Litter
Custom Branded Reusable Pocket Ashtrays for distribution with messaging to
educate smokers that cigarette butts are made of plastic and not biodegradable
www.braingarden.ca
www.facebook.com/pocketashtrays
Jack Elliman
jackelliman@hotmail.com
250-938-4202
(mention VolunteerCleanup.Org for
reduced pricing and premade templates)

10. Share your message with attendees
When you tell your attendees what, how and why, you will affect real change.
They will also help you keep the place clean.!.

11. Contract sustainable event planning, coordination, waste management, recycling, and
cleanup services. This isn’t about picking up trash, it is about minimizing landfill waste,
increasing recycling/composting, and protecting the oceans. They understand your
business model and works to ensure maintain profitability.
Clean Vibes has fifteen years of experience providing unparalleled
environmentally responsible event waste management, recycling,
and cleanup services throughout North America.
www.CleanVibes.com
Hire Pros
Ascendance Sustainable Events can inspire change in
your event’s operations and guest experience, shifting
the way we impact our planet.
Vivian@AscendanceEvents.com
EVENTS THAT INSPIRE

12. Greening is easy and cheap (or can generate profit)
Idea Cost to Live Nation Ease of
Implementation
Sustainability
Impact
Commit to recycling and adjust waste hauler contracts for
smaller landfill trash bins and larger recycling bins
Cost Savings (recycling bin
contracts are cheaper than
landfill bin contracts)
Easy High
Recycling Bins for aluminum cans One-time cost of $500-
$1,000 (or rent)
Easy High
Split existing cleanup crew into dedicated a) cans/bottle
team & b) landfill collection teams
None Easy High
Eliminate straws and napkins (or paper straws on request) Profit of $1,000+ per year Very Easy Medium
Allow / encourage cup refills for liquor or draft beer No cost, adjust bar loss
prevention strategy
Medium Medium
Rent a branded Band or Event steel cup or rCup – small
deposit. They can keep the cup $ (U2 model)
Profit of $500-1,000 per
show
Medium Medium
Discount $1 for refilling cup Cost of $500-1,000 per
show
Easy Medium
Don’t give a plastic cup for a canned/bottled beer Cost savings Easy Medium
Switch to Aluminum Canned Water No additional Easy High