Sports events, entertainment events, and tailgates bring us excitement and joy…and they have the potential to generate a lot of waste! The good news is that they can get greener as event organizers take environmental impacts to heart.
When I spoke recently (or “a few weeks ago”) at the 2nd World Recycling Convention in Rome, I found that no matter where we live in the world, we are all concerned with caring for the planet. Big events must become more sustainable. It’s do-able, but the reality is the larger the event, the more difficult the task.
I shared CSA’s experience with several major events, including the Brazil World Cup in 2014 and 2024 NCAA Final Four men’s and women’s tournaments. Though the sporting events are different, the principles that make them more environmentally friendly are the same.
Set Goals well in advance. 36 months is not too far out. Think about goals for the property, recycling partners like the hauler and the material recovery facility (MRF), and the local community. Make sure you’re on the same page and establish a strong collaboration.
Develop a Strategy that provides value to all your partners in the supply chain. Communicate it and obtain commitment from all the parties involved in the process.
Collaborative Execution: Before the Event. Execution can start as early as 12 months before the event happens as you test the supply chain and look for weakness within it. Create alternative solutions to fill the gaps in your plan, if needed. Be sure the property has the right infrastructure–both for event guests and behind the scenes. Be sure the staff is trained on how to support the recycling effort and communicate to attendees with clear signage.
…and After. The hauler picks up recyclable material and delivers it to the MRF, who processes and bales it and delivers it to the reprocessing plant and ultimately the manufacturer who turns creates new products or packaging.
Ensure your Event Measures Up. Your recycling data must be accurate, which means coordinating with every level of the supply chain. Test your measurement and obtain 3rd party review of the methodology. Verification is critical since not all plastic (PET) that goes into a recycling bin makes it all the way through the process. With solid, verified information, communicate the event’s sustainability in a way that is clear and aligned with each level of the supply chain.
Build on your Success. With the solid foundation you’ve created for a greener event, you can build on your success for future events, at minimal cost, since the hard work has already been done.
Whether it’s a concert, a golf tournament or a soccer match, recycling at scale is a team sport. If you have a big event in the works, I’d love to connect with you and see how the CSA team can help make your event cleaner and greener–for your business and the planet.
