Waste and resource recovery - event sustainability guidelines

Work with vendors and stall holders to:

• avoid using disposable or single-use items. Note the items included in the Queensland single-use plastic items ban
• stipulate the waste types and single-use or disposable items that may be supplied by the event vendors and stall holders, for example avoiding the supply and use of single-use plastic items or specifying the serveware to be used at your event
• avoid common rubbish items including balloons, single-use water bottles, plastic drink cups, single use mini condiments (such as for sauces, mayonnaise and butter) and disposable coffee cups
• choose products with minimal packaging or recyclable packaging
• set up a washing up station and provide reuseable cutlery and crockery (mugs, plates and bowls). Discuss crockery and cutlery suitability with vendors. Organise a team of volunteers to wash up and deliver clean crockery and cutlery to food vendors. Post signage and discuss with patrons to ensure they understand the washing up station and why.

Organic matter accounts for a large amount of waste sent to landfill from events. It can include: 

• fruit and vegetable scraps
• coffee grinds
• juice pulp
• food scraps.

Organic materials are compostable and waste can be recovered by providing an organics service at your event. Visit Planet Ark Business Recycling to find a service provider. For smaller events, consider collecting food scraps and taking the scraps to a community composting hub located at sites around Brisbane.

If you decide to have organic waste collected at your event, ensure you clearly communicate what type of serveware can be used. To simplify the streams for your patrons, request vendors all use the same type of serveware - cardboard or paper based serveware (preferable) is recyclable or choose compostable serveware - not a combination of both.

Note that biodegradable items are not the same as compostable items. Biodegradable items such as cups and plates are made from bioplastics, derived from plant products, rather than petroleum. Bioplastic items do not readily break down like compostable materials and can only be composted through a specialist commercial provider, however, bioplastics are considered more sustainable than regular petroleum-based plastic.

Recycling is often referred to as 'comingled recycling'. Recycling bins can be identified by a yellow lid and should be clearly signed at events. All recyclables must be placed loose in the bin, not in plastic bags, otherwise they will be sent to landfill. The comingled recycling stream includes:

• cardboard, glass jars and bottles, metal tins and cans (including aluminium cans)
• plastic bottles and containers*
• paper (including unsoiled paper plates and napkins, and only if organics collection is not supplied)
• recyclable packaging and serveware*.

Note the items included in the Queensland single-use plastic items ban.

Soft plastics include plastic wrap used for boxes on pallets, plastic bags and soft plastic packaging. They can be recycled using a special service. ​​​​Discuss this option with your waste service provider.

Soft plastics cannot be placed in yellow lid recycling bins, only firm plastics should be discarded in recycling bins, e.g. plastic bottles and containers.*

Rubbish bins should have a red lid and be clearly signed. The general waste stream includes:

• ceramics and some types of glass, such as wine glasses
• food and organics, including soiled paper towels and napkins (if an organics collection is not provided)
• soft plastic packaging, unless a specialist soft plastics recycling service is provided
• waxed cardboard which is not recyclable. It may be recycled by providing a specific recycling service. Ideally, return waxed cardboard boxes to the supplier for reuse.

Prepare a waste plan and share it with your suppliers, vendors, staff and volunteers. Include information about:

• prohibited items including plastic straws, plastic cutlery, balloons, mini-condiments (ie sauces), single-use water bottles, plastic bags and other items included in the Queensland single-use plastic items ban
• essential or preferred serveware that food and drink vendors are to use
• availability and locations of water bubblers or water bottle refill stations for patrons to refill their water bottles
• other services, where provided, such as a washing up station and the reusable mug, cup or serveware library
• different waste streams which are being collected
• what items should go in each bin
• the location of waste stations and skips for back-of-house use
• where spare empty bins will be kept
• a roster and process for monitoring the correct use and replacement of bins
• a plan for cleaning up litter
• post-event storage and placement of bins for collection.

A waste station includes one bin from each of the streams being collected (e.g. one general waste, one recycling and one of each of the other streams being collected such as organics collection). 

Place waste stations approximately 25 metres apart (closer in food and beverage areas). Place bins at entry and exit points and on routes to and from transport stops in close proximity to the venue. If skips or specialist streams will be provided for vendors or back-of-house, ensure they are conveniently located.

Place signs on and around bins, communicate your expectations to vendors and monitor compliance.

Assign volunteers to monitor bin stations if possible. They can assist and encourage patrons to separate their waste into the correct bin and monitor when bins are full. 

Bins in high-volume areas should be monitored frequently.

Keep spare empty bins aside and use them to replace full bins. This will minimise litter and avoid bins overflowing.

Help your event attendees by:

• putting signs on and around bins identifying what items go in what bin (include images)
• having bins with colour-coded lids (e.g. rubbish – red, recycling – yellow, and organics – lime green)
• having event volunteers to stand by the bins to help event patrons put the right item in the right bin.

Keep signs for reuse at future events.