Note: These tips apply to composting and zero waste programs as well as recycling programs.
When planners think about having recycling at their events, they often think about the program from the guests’ perspective.
Will the recycling system be easy for guests to understand? Will the bins be in their way?
These questions are just as important to think about for your event staff as well.
Your event staff is on the front lines of your recycling program. Often, their involvement is even more pivotal to the success of the recycling program than involvement from guests.
The two main groups of staff who have the biggest impact on recycling are maintenance staff and catering staff.
Maintenance staff is responsible for making sure recycling bins are emptied as often as needed and that recycling ends up in the correct dumpster or compactor for disposal. This group is also often responsible for measuring the recyclables, if you are tracking your waste diversion rate.
Catering staff is key to making sure recyclables are sorted into the correct bin in the first place. As they clear tables and break down trays, catering staff are often the last people to handle waste items. They make the final determination of whether an item gets recycled or thrown in the trash.
For your recycling program to be successful, engaging these two groups of staff is critical. There are three important ways to engage staff: equipment, training, and encouragement.
1. Equipment
Each group of staff needs the appropriate equipment to recycle successfully.
Provide catering staff with recycling bins that easily fit into the stations where they break down trays. Help them set up their workflow so recycling is physically easy to do.
Make signs for the recycling bins so staff knows exactly what should and shouldn’t be recycled. Be sure to make the signs bilingual if necessary, and use pictures along with words whenever possible so the signs can be understood at a glance.
Give your maintenance staff bags that are dedicated for recycling. Ideally your recycling bags should be clear so contamination can be easily spotted.
Ensure that recycling bins are clearly identified so maintenance knows what type of waste they are removing. Identify your recycling and trash dumpsters with signs, especially if the maintenance staff isn’t used to recycling at their venue.
2. Training
During event set-up, set aside a few minutes to meet with the catering and maintenance staff. Share your recycling goals for the event so they know what you are trying to accomplish.
Point out what the recycling bins look like and go over which items should and shouldn’t be recycled. Be sure to specifically cover any items that might be confusing. (In my experience, staff often try to recycle latex gloves, but these should go in the trash!)
Show the maintenance staff where recyclables should be deposited, if recycling isn’t part of their usual process. Walk through the process for how waste should be measured and recorded. Distribute recycling bags and gloves, and give staff the opportunity to ask questions.
3. Encouragement
Finally, encourage your maintenance and catering staff. Make sure they know how important their contributions are to reaching your goals and keeping waste out of the landfill. If you’re measuring your waste diversion rate, share your results with the staff or their managers after the event so they can be proud of what they helped accomplish.
By properly equipping your staff with supplies, training and encouragement, you’ll dramatically increase the success of your event recycling program, leading to a positive result for you and your clients.
Get started with recycling at your events. I’ve got the proven system and supplies to make it happen.