Event waste management

Did you know?

Music festivals in the UK generate approximately 25,800 tonnes of waste annually. Efforts to reduce waste per attendee have progressed, decreasing from 2.8 kg per day in 2014 to 2 kg in 2019.

To combat this, organisers have promoted reusable cups and initiatives promoting waste reduction at campsites. Tents remain a significant waste problem, with many abandoned at events contributing to landfill challenges.

Sustainable waste practices for events

There isn’t a single governing body that pushes the strategy for sustainable waste management in the UK events industry. Each event will implement specific sustainable waste practices to ensure a sustainable future.

Here are some examples:

Shambala: Renewable energy and sustainable shopping

Shambala sets a global benchmark in sustainability, achieving more than 90% reduction in carbon footprint and fully transitioning to renewable energy while eliminating single-use plastics. The festival promotes public transport, diligent recycling, and composting.

They encourage attendees to minimise waste and plastic use, offering zero-waste shopping on-site. Shambala emphasises eliminating waste and exemplifies leading sustainable event management, inspiring others in the industry.

The COP26 (Glasgow): Eco-friendly transportation

For COP26 in Glasgow, organisers prioritised reducing the environmental impact of travel. They advocated for green transport options, such as electric shuttle services, public transportation, bike sharing, and car-sharing.

The event showcased a comprehensive sustainable transport strategy, incorporating hydrogen-fueled buses and rewards for choosing low-emission travel methods.

Formula E: Carbon offsetting and renewable energy

The Formula E racing series (held annually at the London Excel) is pioneering sustainability in motorsports. It aims for carbon neutrality by balancing emissions through carbon offset initiatives.

It champions renewable energy, powering its races with fully electric cars, showcasing its commitment to environmental responsibility.

Edinburgh Marathon

The annual Edinburgh Marathon is a zero waste-to-landfill event encouraging good waste management. Bins are provided for runners at every mile of the course.

Water bottles provided to runners are recyclable, collected by race organisers in separate bins, and transported to a dedicated plastic recycling facility.

Glastonbury event waste management strategy

Glastonbury Festival’s waste management initiative is grounded in its “Love the Farm, leave no trace” philosophy. It aims to reduce landfill waste drastically.

The festival boasts its on-site recycling plant, the largest for events in the country. This plant enables meticulous waste sorting for recycling.

Significant measures include the ban on single-use plastic bottles since 2019, compostable packaging for crisps, and the commitment to compostable or reusable food service items.

The festival encourages attendees to participate actively in waste reduction, such as bringing reusable water bottles and ensuring tents and equipment are taken home, enhancing its efforts towards sustainability.

Event waste management FAQs

Here are the most common questions answered surrounding waste management at events in the UK.

What are the best practices for recycling at events?

Best practices for recycling at events include setting up clearly labelled recycling bins for different types of waste (plastics, metals, paper, and organics) in accessible locations.

Also, educating attendees about recycling processes through signage and digital platforms and working with waste management services that offer sorting, recycling, and composting.

Ensuring staff and volunteers are trained on waste management practices is also crucial for practical recycling efforts. Collaboration with vendors and exhibitors to reduce polystyrene packaging and use recyclable materials further enhances the event’s sustainability.

What are the challenges in managing food waste at events?

Addressing commercial food waste at events involves navigating several hurdles.

These include the practical separation of compostables, the logistics of collecting and transporting organic waste for composting and motivating vendors and attendees to minimise food waste.

Strategies to tackle these challenges include clear signage for food waste disposal, staff training, collaboration with waste management services, and precise food demand forecasting to reduce excess.

How can event attendees contribute to waste reduction?

Event attendees can significantly reduce waste by practising simple actions.

For instance, they use reusable water bottles, cups, and cutlery instead of single-use items. They properly sort their waste into designated recycling, composting, and general waste bins and minimise it by avoiding unnecessary packaging.

Choosing digital tickets over physical ones, carpooling, or using public transport to reach the event can further reduce the environmental impact.

How can digital tools be used to minimise event waste?

Digital tools can minimise event waste by facilitating paperless ticketing, digital program guides, and event schedules, reducing the need for physical printouts.

Apps and websites can promote car-sharing and public transport options, reducing emissions. Social media and email campaigns can educate attendees on waste reduction strategies before the event. Interactive maps can guide users to recycling and composting stations, ensuring waste is disposed of correctly.