Pre-Event Planning Start by reviewing what materials can be collected Consider barriers to recycling Evaluate opportunities to prevent waste ESTABLISH GOALS: Create a recycling and waste prevention plan Think about waste prevention

Pre-Event Planning FOOD: Plan to donate leftover food Consider composting food scraps (organic)

Pre-Event Planning VENDORS & VOLUNTEERS: Recruit and train volunteers/employees Make initial contact with vendors and exhibitors a few months before the event Prepare an introductory letter to vendors and exhibitors.

Pre-Event Planning SITE LOGISTICS Hire a garbage and/or recycling hauler(s). Establish a relationship with the event coordinator, site supervisor and/or janitorial staff PUBLICITY Publicize the recycling message

During Event SET-UP Set up recycling receptacles and stations the day before the event, if possible Maximize collection and reduce contamination of recyclables Greet vendors and exhibitors during set-up Promote recycling/ waste prevention using signs or banners at entrance and registration areas, signs on garbage and recycling receptacles, statements in programs and public address announcements.

During Event RECYCLE! Designate a central collection area for garbage and recycling, where drop boxes or dumpsters are staged. Recycling volunteers should be easy to identify Use hand trucks, carts or “gators” to transport material from the recycling stations to the central collection area Riverfest in downtown Little Rock designates their recycle area in the middle of all the activities and in a central location.

Large Event Recycling Examples Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza Fishing Tournament Recyclable materials are collected such as cans and bottles and delivered to the local recycling location Leftover foods are donated to the Dorcus House in Little Rock Little Rock Zoo The Little Rock Zoo has long established a “Green Team” that has equipped the facility with containers and various items located around the zoo for guests to recycle items purchased at the zoo. Since the spring of 2006, the Horticulture Department has been composting 48 cubic feet a day of elephant manure, leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste. Currently, scraps from Café Africa and the Commissary are also added to the compost. The finished compost is used in the Zoo landscape and donated to local school and community garden projects. Above: The zoo created this logo to identify recycling areas around the park Riverfest: Arkansas’ Premier Music & Arts Festival The “Riverfest Recycles” program encourages festival goers to recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans, which are typically discarded. Festival goers can stop by the recycling tent, and pick up a recycling bag. Attendees are encouraged to fill their recycling bags with at least 20 recyclable items and return it to the ten for a chance to win a prize. In 2013, Festival goers and volunteers collected over 80,000 aluminum cans

Facts about Recycling Sources: