Waste-Wise Events
Planning
Events are great for promoting community spirit and boosting local economies, yet thousands of tonnes of rubbish are generated as a result of events in the Northern Rivers each year. This waste represents a loss of resources. Up to 60 per cent of waste can be recovered at events through introducing recycling. Find out how in the  Recycling at Events and Avoiding Waste at Events brochures.
Check out what other events in your region have achieved:
Case Study 1: SALT Carols under the Stars 2007
Case Study 2: SALT Carols under the Stars 2008
Case Study 3: Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout 2008
Case Study 4: Tweed Jockey Club 2008
Case Study 5: Repco Rally Australia 2009
Case Study 6: Tweed River Festival 2009
It is important to start the Waste Wise Event Planning in the initial stages of your event planning. Waste avoidance and recycling objectives can be incorporated into each step of the planning process.
The first step is to complete a Waste Wise Management Plan (WWMP).
To apply for a Waste Wise Event through Council and receive the Council event bins, your event must be a not-for-profit community event of less than 1,000 people in size.
Packaging
The majority of waste generated at events is from catering. Early communication with stallholders can help avoid unnecessary packaging, like polystyrene and reduce the waste generated. Event organisers should consider developing Stallholder Guidelines that clearly outline what packaging requirements are acceptable and unacceptable at your event.
A local guide to Biodegradable Packaging Options: Suppliers and Products will assist stallholders to find alternate packaging that can be composted if the facilities are available.
If you are thinking of diverting your food waste from landfill, this brochure: Recycling Organics, provides some advice and options that are possible for events.
Equipment
Tweed Shire Council has dedicated event bins available for free to not-for-profit community based events. There are two types of bins provided – 240L red-lidded bins for the collection of garbage and 240L yellow-lidded bins for the collection of recycling. These bins are all are well signed to encourage their correct usage. To organise these bins, please phone (02) 6670 2694. Council also has a banner which can be used to promote your Waste Wise Event.
Promotion
Promoting recycling at your event is important to the success of your recovery. A multi-levelled approach to delivering the message is best. Use this Advertisement in your brochures, program or web page and communicate a recycling message on the PA system at regular intervals during the event. Write a media release that highlights your recycling initiatives.
How Can Council Help?
Some of the ways that council can support you are:
- Provide dedicated recycling and garbage event bins. These are clearly marked with signs which outline what can be placed into each bin and the lids are coloured according to the standard colours for recycling (yellow) and garbage (red). The recycling bins can take all plastic bottles, tubs and containers, aluminium, glass, steel cans, clean paper and cardboard
- Deliver and service 12 event bins for free
- Provide Waste Wise Event signage and banners to promote recycling facilities
- Give you advice on waste minimisation and avoidance strategies
- Assist you complete a Waste Management Plan for your event
Further Information
 (02) 6670 2694
 North East Waste Forum Website
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