Guidelines for Event Organisers

The success of your recycling and other waste management initiatives will depend on whether there are firm policies in place, and clearly communicated to your stallholders, waste management contractors and other parties.

You are responsible for the costs of waste disposal, so you will want the recycling process to remain simple and manageable for all parties.

Recycling Contractor

The requirements of major events, and the capabilities of contractors vary. Ensure that you allow adequate time for consultations with your waste management contractor. Check the Guidelines for Contractors on this site.

Clean Team

Your most valuable asset - ensure that your Clean Team is well trained, and aware of Occupational Health and Safety issues. Use experienced Clean Team members to set up the site - they will understand bin placement 'hot spots'. Check the suggested Guidelines for Clean Teams on this site - and let us know of any suggested improvements.

Stallholders

As the event organiser, you have the responsibility to query (and where practical, specify) which materials will be used by caterers, vendors and key suppliers. Experienced organisers verify that it is essential to make this clear to all parties up front, in order to maintain control.

Some hints worth considering:

• eliminate unnecessary packaging to avoid additional collection and disposal fees;
• can you influence the elimination of certain forms of packaging or their substitution by other materials that are more readily recyclable?
• match packaging to equipment used (for example lots of glass will require the use of heavy-duty bins); and
• establish a separate waste system to manage stall holders' waste.

You are invited to use, and improve on the Guidelines for Stall Holders on this site.

Public Awareness

Regular Public Address announcements are suggested during your event, to remind the public of the correct use of the waste management infrastructure.