Event Recycling Planning/Timeline

Pre-Event

• Determine what wastes will be generated. Can you substitute recyclable products for non-recyclables? Reduce your environmental impact further by purchasing recycled content paper, napkins, paper plates, etc.
• Recruit a recycling committee and volunteers.
• Decide whether you'll contract with Allied Waste for a no-sort recycling dumpster or have your staff/volunteers transport your materials to a recycling center. You need to collect each material separately if you're going to do the hauling.
• Notify vendors, staff, and the public about your recycling effort. Incorporate the recycling message in all advertising, publicity, and registration materials.
• Contact Boise Public Works at (208)384-3901 to reserve recycle bins and Republic Services at (208)345-1266 to arrange for trash boxes.
• Develop recycling announcements and make them part of your program. Something quick and simple, repeated often, will be most effective: "Please recycle your cans and bottles. Thanks for making this a green event!"
• Plan your recycling effort. Divide your site into zones, and assign a team leader for each zone. Determine who will manage the trash and how recyclables will be handled (volunteers take the full bags to a recycling dumpster? Volunteers stockpile the recyclables at a designated spot for transport to a recycling center later?). How will you communicate this to the volunteers?
• Purchase clear bags to line the recycle bins and black bags to line the trash boxes.
• Contact local charities to see if they can use your leftover food.

Day of Event

• Make sure your volunteers/staff know what zone they are assigned to, where to find extra bags, what materials are recyclable, and who to contact with recycling questions. Instruct them to monitor levels in the bins and remove any trash. Have volunteers/staff replace the liner when the bag is full, and let them know what to do with the recyclables.
• Place at least 1 recycle bin with every trash can or box. Position the containers near concessions, wherever people congregate, along the main walkways, and near the main exits.
• If you're short on volunteers, limit the number of recycling/waste stations for easier monitoring and control - i.e., 4 stations consisting of 2 recycle bins and 2 trash boxes rather than 8 stations consisting of 1 recycle bin and 1 trash box.
• Confirm recycling announcements with your emcee/host.

Post-Event

• Make sure your site is clean and in the same condition it was in prior to your event.
• If you did not contract with Republic Services for a no-sort recycling dumpster, take your materials to:
• Boise Recycling, 4725 Glenwood, (208)375-3225
• Pacific Recycling, 5120 Emerald, (208)375-2131
• Western Recycling, 1990 S. Cole, (208)375-8580
• Return the empty recycle bins and signage to City Hall at the agreed-upon date and time.
• Return the cardboard trash boxes to Republic Services, 11101 W. Executive Drive within 7 days.
• Assess the results of your effort. What worked, and what didn't? Make notes for improving your next event.