Education
Boulder County recycling information and signs:
www.bouldercountyrecycles.org
www.bouldercounty.org/ nd/library/gogreen/
ssrecyclingguideline.pdf
City of Boulder recycling and compost signs:
www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&vie
w=article&id=15823&Itemid=87
Recycling and Composting Collection Services
Eco-Cycle: www.ecocycle.org/zero-waste-events
Western Disposal:
www.westerndisposal.com/special_
event_services.php
Drop-o -Sites for Recycling / Composting
CHaRM, the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials:
www.ecocycle.org/charm
Western Disposal: www.westerndisposal.com
Supplies – compostable dishes and tableware
Cen-Tex Supply: $50 minimum order and will-call
service
Tom McCarthy, 303-442-8477 x112
tommccarthy@centexsupply.com
U.S. Foodservice: $500 minimum order
Boulder/North Denver – Joe Burke
303-420-5840, 1-800-222-2480 x5185
Ft. Collins/Greeley/Longmont – Ray Young
1-800-222-2480 x5181
Corporate Express: No minimum order
Jolane DeClercq, Local representative
303-307-5713, Jolane.declercq@cexp.com
Eco-Cycle sells a variety of compostable materials
at their ecoStore. Visit the “party kits” section of www.
ecocycle.org/ecostore
Some local grocers carry compostable dishes, cups and atware.
One popular brand is “World Centric.” Some paper plates that
aren’t coated with plastic can also be composted, as can most
paper napkins. Look for a certi cate of compostability, such as
the BPI certi cation, before you buy!
RESOURCES
For more information, contact Boulder
County at 303.441.3522.
December 2012
Thanks to Eco-Cycle, the
Lyons Chamber of Commerce,
the Evergreen Alliance for
Sustainability and the City of
Oakland for these suggestions.
Planning for Zero Waste
Organizing a Zero Waste event is a great
way to be active in the environmental
community. A Zero Waste event can be
organized to be not only sustainable, but
also cost e ective.
Zero Waste activities include:
Recycling
Composting
Reducing packaging
Reusing materials
Raising public awareness
Careful planning is the key to executing
a Zero Waste event. Simply evaluate the
necessary materials to be used and disposed
of at the event, then implement recyclable or
compostable alternatives. Simple solutions
such as compostable or reusable cups,
utensils and plates can make an enormous
impact on the waste generated by an event.
There’s no need for a trash can! If
you plan for sustainable waste, then only
recycling and compost are necessary.
After the event every guest, employee
and volunteer can be proud to be an
environmental steward.
The Business Case
for Zero Waste
Zero Waste is a strategy
modeled on nature’s self-
sustaining systems. Waste
prevention starts with
sustainable production.
By using recyclable and
compostable materials during
an event, everybody from the
planner to the consumer can
participate and feel good about
being a part of our world’s
environmental sustainability.
More event planners and
businesses each day are
realizing they have a
tremendous opportunity
to positively impact their
communities and become
environmental leaders.
Zero Waste does not only
have a positive impact on the
environment, it also has a
positive impact on the event!
Planning a Zero
Waste event can:
Promote a positive image
Increase visibility
Increase participation and
turnout
Build community
And increase pro ts
People love
environmentally
sustainable solutions!
…for events 10-150 peopl
e
Does the venue o er recycling and composting services already?
What is the cost of providing these services during the event?
How many people will be attending?
What kind of materials will visitors generate?
It is important to accurately evaluate the volume of people and
materials that will be used. Vendors will typically produce more
materials than a catered event, and many catering companies
o er reusable materials and zero waste alternatives. Always ask
for reusable, recyclable or compostable products from your
vendor or caterer.
For large events such as weddings or conferences, local waste
management companies such as Western Disposal and Eco-Cycle
can provide recycling and composting services. See all the great
resources at the back of this document for contact information.
Complete your planning well in advance, so you can determine
costs and services. This will allow time for the compost and
recycling provider to work out collection details with your venue
(time of pick-up, room for collection trucks, etc.).
Be sure in your invitation and your discussions with people to
remind everyone involved that you are hosting a “Zero Waste”
event. Depending on the event, it is usually easy to promote
involvement. For example, an invitation to a meeting can
encourage each invitee to bring a reusable mug or re llable
water bottle. A potluck invitation can encourage guests to
bring reusable dishes, atware, cups or glasses and napkins, as
appropriate.
Finalize the dates, location and layout of the event
far in advance to facilitate the later stages of Zero
Waste planning.
Put “Zero Waste Event” on your invitation or registration form!
When you send your invitations, try an electronic version to reduce waste.
For business meetings, remember to add Zero Waste language and any requests
(such as “bring your own cup”) to the registration forms.
Getting started is easy! First,designate a primary contact for Zero Waste
activities. This can be any dedicated individual from paid sta to volunteers.
Then, follow these eight easy steps to ensure a fun, clean and waste-free event!
STEP 1
BEGIN SEVERAL WEEKS (OR MONTHS) BEFORE THE EVENT
TIPS
For a meeting, add “Zero Waste Education” to the agenda
At the beginning of your meeting, make a Zero Waste announcement similar to the
following: “Welcome everyone. This is a Zero Waste meeting; please deposit your
paper, bottles and cans into the recycling containers. The compost container is for
your uneaten food, paper plates, napkins, and cups, and compostable knives and
forks. Thank you for your help making this a zero waste meeting.”
Display the agenda in a general area for all to see instead of making paper copies.
Make the last item on the agenda a reminder that repeats the Zero Waste message:
“Thank you for attending and please remember to place your paper, etc…”
TIPS
STEP 8
AFTER THE EVENT
Clean up.
Pack leftover food in reusable containers. Invite your guests to take home any
leftovers. Any packaged beverages or similar items that are still in their unopened
containers can be donated to food banks.
Collect all the remaining food scraps, dishware, paper items such as agendas or
handouts and place in the proper recycling or compost containers. Peek into
recycling and compost containers to insure they’re not “contaminated” with
inappropriate materials. This will help you determine whether your signs and
volunteers did the trick.
Small items can be moved to the appropriate containers, but severely contaminated
bags of recycling or composting will likely be handled as “trash” by your service
provider.
Remember to avoid toxic chemicals when cleaning. Diluted vinegar can be used to
clean counters, windows, appliances and most oors (not wood oors). Add a little
baking soda when cleaning the sink or for scrubbing.
Measure and celebrate your success.
It is important to show and share your successes and any setbacks
in order to improve the culture shift towards Zero Waste. Here
are four ideas:
Track and measure your e orts. The rst Boulder County Zero Waste Event Planning
meeting wasted only three pieces of tape-- Nearly Zero Waste!
Share your e orts and accomplishments with your peers and guests.
Place information on your website promoting your organization’s green initiative.
Fill out a Zero Waste Survey. Eco-Cycle o ers an online survey for users of its Zero
Waste kits, visit www.eco-cycle.org/zwevents/kits/feedback.cfm.
Make notes to yourself and with your team about ways to
improve for the next event.
Remember: You can make a di erence! With Zero Waste event planning,
we can not only be constructive environmental leaders in our communities,
but the e orts we put forth now will serve as an example for future e orts
and other communities worldwide.
STEP 9
Make sure all of your supplies are ready to set out
in preparation for the event.
Ask your volunteers to show up a little early to help set up.
Remember to only set out items for use that can be reused, recycled or composted.
Make sure to remove trash cans from your event, since you’ve made them obsolete
and they might confuse people. Instead, replace those cans with recycling and
compost containers.
Post paper signs on surfaces in high-tra c areas such as the entryway of your event
and on tables to announce your Zero Waste commitment.
For smaller events, use your own business or household recycling container. You can
also reserve collapsible recycling bins (available from Eco-Cycle) to collect bottles
and cans for recycling at your event. Use signs to make the containers visible and
make guidelines simple for guests.
Recycling and compost bins should be arranged in pairs so choices are clear. Where
there is a kitchen, a pair of recycling / compost bins should be available for use by
kitchen personnel.
A pail for liquids that can later be emptied down the drain should be placed next to
each pair of bins to help with clean-up and leaks.
When a bar is set up to serve drinks, supply bartender(s) with bins for recycling
empty bottles and aluminum cans. Bins are for bartenders’ use only and should be
placed behind their tables and not where the public will use them for trash. Buckets
in which to toss excess liquids before recycling the containers should be placed near
bins. Bartenders should fold cardboard boxes and set them aside for later recycling.
Hold your wildly successful and popular
Zero Waste event!
As guests arrive, let them know you’re hosting a Zero Waste event
and help them participate.
Place recyclable and compostable materials in their
appropriate collection containers.
Note: Compostable dishes, atware and cups are designed to be
broken down in a commercial composting environment. If you
don’t have compost collection at your home or business, you can
bring the materials to the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials
(CHaRM) or to Western Disposal, both in Boulder, for composting
in a local commercial facility.
STEP 5
STEP 6STEP 7
JUST BEFORE THE EVENT
DURING THE EVENT
Think about your menu, decorations, program,
and other event needs.
What foods and drinks will be served/available to guests?
How much food and drink is there going to be?
What kind of tableware will be required?
Zero waste strategies can be applied to all aspects of an event.
Decorations can be compostable or reusable.
If there is a giveaway consider giving away seeds, candles or edibles in reusable jars.
Here is an easy solution: You can buy a “Zero Waste Event
Kit” from Eco-Cycle. The kits contain 25 each of plates, bowls, cups
and atware made from recycled paper, plant starch or sugarcane.
Each kit comes with a compost collection container, liner bag and
signs. Be sure to use your home or o ce compost collection bins
for these items or your contracted compost service. Dishware is not
designed to break down in backyard compost bins, but will easily
break down in an industrial compost facility.
Consider these costs and any potential savings
during the planning stage:
Collection service – Many times this service can be provided at the same cost of
garbage disposal.
Compostable utensils, cups and plates – many products are available. Shop around
for the best prices.
Volunteers – check with your church, school or service club for volunteers.
Dishwashing – if you use china or glass, this service might need to be hired out; check
with your caterer or rental service.
* Be sure to look for the words “BPI certi ed” on
items you purchase with the intent to compost.
Not all products labeled “compostable” or
“biodegradable” on the package can be composted
locally.
Some paper plates and cups are lined with a thin
layer of plastic. Items marked “biodegradeable”
will break down over time, but still leave plastic
residue behind. More information is available at
(www.bpiworld.org/science-of-biodegradation).
STEP 2
If you prefer single-use service, most grocery and hardware stores
o er easy access to BPI-certi ed compostable dishes and atware.
Remember: biodegradable does not mean compostable.*
Zero Waste Station
TIPS
When is “Compostable” Not Compostable?
Look for BPI Certi cation
Although touted as “environmentally friendly,”
several so-called biodegradable plastic
products do not biodegrade as expected.
Speci cations and tests now exist that
scienti cally prove a material will biodegrade
completely and safely when composted in a large facility, leaving no residues.
Products are tested in approved, independent laboratories (Biodegradable Products
Institute). Scientists with the American Society for Testing and Materials check the data to
verify that the products meet requirements and speci cations. The speci cations used by the
BPI are a result of eight years of intensive work by renowned scientists and the composting
industry. Passing these speci cations mean that a product will biodegrade completely,
quickly and safely-just like yard trimmings and food scraps. Speci cations are designed to
cover plastic lms and bags and packaging that are designed to be composted, including
plastic coated paper and board.
Here are some more helpful
suggestions to ensure a successful
Zero Waste event:
Use water dispensers with paper cups that
don’t have a plastic coating, or pitchers of
water, instead of plastic bottles.
Whenever possible, serve dishes “family
style” such as sandwich platters, salad
or chips bowls, etc. to avoid individually
packaged products.
Ask your caterer to provide small reusable
dishes for creamer and condiments instead
of individually wrapped ketchup, mayo,
mustard, salt, pepper, or sugar.
Serve nger foods such as veggies and
dip, cheese, crackers, skewers of fruit or
grilled meat, etc. These items don’t require
utensils, and trash isn’t created from
individual wrappers.
Provide straws and stirrers only upon
request. If using straws, make sure they are
compostable.
Make arrangements to donate any usable
leftovers to a food bank or shelter.
Planning a festival or
large conference?
Vendors and exhibitors will
need their own diversion
stations, away from attendees.
Compost container liner bags
are the most expensive item
you will purchase; other
materials are cost-competitive
with other paper items.
Even large events such as the
Rocky Grass Festival in Lyons
have implemented cost-
e ective Zero Waste solutions
such as reusable tableware!
TIPS
Get volunteers!
People love to volunteer for the environment!
If you are expecting a large group, ask friends or colleagues to
help monitor the recycling stations and direct attendees to the
proper container. Many people are willing to donate their time
for a good cause. Consider placing an ad in the newspaper or
on the internet. Get their commitment in advance, and make
sure your helpers are comfortable with your system. Make sure
your volunteers are educated on Zero Waste initiatives in order
to answer questions from attendees!
If possible, enlist their help in preparing signs to put on the
recycling and compost stations. This can be a fun arts and
crafts project!
See the “Resources” section at the back of this document and
choose a style of sign that works for your event - or make
your own with this information:
Recycle:
Empty plastic containers: bottles, jugs, jars and tubs Lids are OK only
when screwed back on to empty plastic bottles.); Paper; Cardboard; Empty glass
bottles and jars (no lids); Empty cans (Please empty liquids rst.
STEP 3
Prepare signs and announcements to help guests
know they have entered a “Zero Waste Zone!”
Determine how many “Zero Waste” stations you will need:
Figure on one station for every 25 guests if you are providing
single-use dishes or bottled beverages;
fewer if your event will be catered or if you
will provide only nger foods. Make signs
for each station.
STEP 4
TIPS
Recycling signs: Sign styles vary from
simple to complex and the best feature
either photos or examples of speci c
Zero Waste materials attached by Velcro.
Di erent versions are available at the
city of Boulder and Boulder County
websites.
Compost signs: Since your compostable
cups might be mistaken for recyclable
plastic, be sure to post additional signs
on your compost bin. Include pictures
or samples of the compostable products
on the signs.
COMPOSTThis
It will turn into soil.
[Please, NO Styrofoam, plastic or foil
Food & Plants
Food scraps, plants
Coffee & Tea
Coffee grounds and fi lters, tea bags
Food Service Items
Compostable cups, plates, utensils
Paper Products
Napkins, paper towels, tissues, sticky notes
Kraft envelopes, wet cardboard
RECYCLEThis
It will become new material.
[Please, NO Styrofoam or plastic bags
Plastic #s 1-7
Plastic bottles, jars, tubs, containers, jugs
Cans
Aluminium cans and foil, metal lids, pie pans
Glass
Glass bottles and jars
Paper & Cardboard
Printer paper, fi le folders, boxes
