Waste Stations

Best Practices
The number of people and the kinds of materials generated at your event and how you manage the waste afterward determines how many waste stations, monitors and supplies are needed as well as types of waste stream labels.
Number & Locations
Waste Streams
Signage
Monitors
Supplies
Number and Locations
Provide 1 waste station : 25 people up to 300 folks. For larger events, use more bins at each station rather than more stations and hire a hauler instead of self-hauling.
Place in high foot traffic or gathering areas:
- entrances / exits / intersections
- eating / drinking / dancing / bathrooms
- where the venue currently has trash bins
Waste Streams
Anticipated waste streams determine types of containers and labels. 

Waste Stream Containers & Tips:
Recyclables (clean only): 
- large receptacle
- set up rinse station, if possible
Food Scraps: 
- bus bins or 5-gal buckets
- learn what your hauler/outlet accepts
​- no compostable papers or plastics
Deposit Cans/Bottles: 
- large receptacle
Liquids: 
- bus bins or 5-gal buckets or with food scraps 
Landfill: 
- large receptacle
- what cannot be reused, recycled, or composted
Fry Oil: 
- if vendors manage, irrelevant
- if you manage, container provided by oil recycler
Reusables: 
- bus bins, 5-gal buckets
- washing station
* If you use bags, use clear ones to see contamination
Signage​
Make sure signs are easy to see, read and understand.
  • Large & Visible
  • Concise Clear Wording in CAPS
  • Clear Images or adhere actual examples
  • Durable/Laminated 
  • Color Coded with Bins​
Station Monitors
​Post at least one friendly well-trained monitor at each station to:
- Help attendees sort items into containers
- Change out containers when full
- Remove contamination, when reasonable
Monitors should know:
  • ​How to sort anticipated materials
  • How to help guests sort their materials
  • Where to put and how to treat collected materials​
Provide monitors with:
  • Identification (t-shirt, name tag, etc.)
  • Printed reference list
  • Perks (access to event, food or t-shirt)
See these documents to help train and organize Monitors.
​Contact us if you have questions.
Supplies

You can stock all your supplies at one central location, or distribute enough at each waste station.  Clearly label supply storage containers with contents and contact info.
​Essentials:
  • Bags for receptacles
  • Gloves, disposable
  • Long-handled trash pickers
  • Tape, packing or duct
  • Pens/markers
  • Volunteer Identifiers (name tags/lanyards, buttons, t-shirts, vests, etc.)
​
Picture
trash pickers