Organising a successful event, whether it’s a small community gathering or a large-scale festival, involves more than just entertainment and catering. Managing the waste that is created by the event is also an essential consideration: minimising the impact that it makes on the environment while ensuring a clean and enjoyable experience for attendees. Richmond Waste understands the importance of effective and efficient event waste management, and this guide aims to assist organisers in selecting the appropriate bins for their event, along with providing suggestions for the implementation of waste sorting strategies.
Before deciding the type of bins that will be required for an event, it is necessary to understand the type and volume of waste that is likely to be generated. This includes considering the number of attendees, the type of food and beverages served, and the overall activities planned. Events that feature sustainable practices may require a greater emphasis on compost and recycling bins, while events with a high volume of single-use packaging may necessitate the use of larger garbage bins.
Estimating the waste generated per person can be challenging, but generally, events with food service produce significantly more waste. In Australia, there is a growing awareness of food related waste, with many events opting for biodegradable packaging and composting facilities.
Recycling bins at events are central to diverting recyclable materials from landfill, and common recyclables found at events include plastic bottles, aluminium cans, glass containers, and paper products. To ensure effective recycling at an event, it’s important to provide clearly labelled recycling bins throughout the event space. The size and quantity of recycling bins should align with the anticipated volume of recyclable waste, and for large events, consider placing recycling bins in high-traffic areas, such as food courts and beverage stations, to assist with disposal and post-event collection.
In Australia, recycling practices vary between states and territories, so it’s essential to check local guidelines during the planning phase. Richmond Waste can assist in providing recycling bins that align with regulations and ensure that collected recyclables are processed post-event correctly.
Compost bins play an important role in managing organic waste, particularly food scraps and biodegradable packaging, and with increasing community awareness of the waste that is created by food, many events are making composting services readily available.
When selecting compost bins, consider the type of organic waste that will be generated. If your event primarily produces food scraps, ensure that the bins are appropriately sized and equipped with liners to prevent leaks and odours. For events using compostable packaging, provide separate bins to avoid contamination. Clear bin signage is also crucial to educate attendees about what items are suitable for composting.
Garbage bins are necessary for managing non-recyclable waste at events, such as plastic wrappers, non-compostable packaging, and other general waste items. While the goal is to minimise the volume of waste created, it’s also important to provide sufficient bins to prevent littering. Once again, the size and quantity of garbage bins should be determined based on the anticipated volume of non-recyclable waste.
Richmond Waste can provide both wheelie bins and skip bins for your event and the non-recyclable waste that it creates.
Effective bin signage is important for promoting proper waste sorting. Clear and concise signage can guide attendees in correctly disposing of their waste, and signage should include visual cues, such as images of acceptable items, and clear text in multiple languages, if appropriate.
Consider using colour-coded bins to further enhance clarity. For example, yellow bins for recycling, green bins for compost, and red bins for garbage. Placement of the bin signage is also important. Signs should be placed at eye level and in clear view of the bins.
Planning for event waste disposal involves more than just selecting bins, it’s also important to consider the logistics of waste collection and transportation during and after the event. This includes determining the frequency of bin emptying and arranging for waste collection services. For large events, consider establishing designated waste collection points to streamline the entire process.
Richmond Waste offers comprehensive event waste disposal services, including bin delivery, collection, and processing, and we can work with you to develop a tailored waste management plan that meets your event’s specific requirements.
Choosing the right bins and implementing effective waste sorting strategies are essential for minimising the environmental impact of your event. By understanding your event’s waste profile, selecting appropriate bins, and providing clear signage, you can create a cleaner and more sustainable event. Richmond Waste is committed to assisting event organisers in Northern New South Wales in achieving their waste management goals.
For expert advice on event waste bins and waste sorting, contact Richmond Waste today on +61 2 6621 7431 or via the contact form on our website. Our team can help you design a comprehensive waste management plan that ensures you host a successful and environmentally responsible event.