Zero Waste Event at Recycling Center

ZW Kit Home

Start Here

What's In The Kit?

What is Zero Waste?

Additional Resources

Objective

An event at a local place of public activity such as a drop-off center for recyclable materials can provide an educational experience for community members and can introduce a receptive population to Zero Waste. It also provides a venue for folks to enter a Zero Waste contest.

How To Do It

Basically, this kind of event is like a little party-with an educational theme. You will want to have a table or other apparatus for displaying information and food; a visual or two (e.g., poster, banner) to draw folks to the area; and at least a couple of things for visitors to do (e.g., talk with a table host, enter a Zero Waste contest, take a snack or free recycled product give-away).

Step 1 (2-3 months before event): Choose a location that already consistently draws a crowd, such as a recycling center. Decide on a rain/snow date if the event is outdoors and the weather is highly unpredictable. If you are not the managers of the site, contact the managers and ask about the terms and conditions for hosting an event there.

Step 2 (2 months before event): If props and visuals for your event need to be developed, begin the process now for creating posters, flyers, activities and displays (see an example Zero Waste Poster for one idea).

Step 3 (6 weeks before event): Begin recruiting volunteers, if needed. Be sure to clarify with any volunteers what is expected of them. At this kind of event, volunteers will mostly likely serve by hosting the information table and facilitating Zero Waste contest entries. If your event is at a recycling center, volunteers can help visitors to the center unload their vehicles and can invite them to check out the Zero Waste display nearby.

Step 4 (1-2 months before event): Put event information into your newsletter (if applicable).

Step 5 (1-2 months before event): Contact possible corporate sponsors for your event (if you anticipate significant costs and wish to partner with a local business) and reserve a canopy at a rental store if needed.

Step 6 (1 month before event): Contact possible donors for free give-aways during the event (e.g., food, recycled products). If you obtain give-aways, send a thank-you note to the donor and mention them (if applicable) in your newsletter.

Step 7 (2 weeks before event): Pull together all props, informational pieces, and Zero Waste idea contest materials (if you are doing this latter activity).

Step 8 (2 weeks before event): Create a press release and talk with local reporters about the event. Someone may want to get a photo or do a short story. For tips, see our Zero Waste Press Release.

Step 9 (1 week before event): Check in with volunteers to confirm their participation. Make sure they know when and where they are expected to arrive, what will be required of them (e.g., hosting an information table, facilitating a Zero Waste contest), and what the facilities are like (e.g., outdoors, access/no access to water or toilet, etc.). Also let your volunteers know that you will provide a short orientation for them on the day of the event.

Step 10 (Day of event): Arrive early to set up props, banners, and food. Orient volunteers.

Step 11 (Within one week of event): Call each volunteer or send a thank-you note for their service. Invite feedback on the event.

Tips

• Because people come to a recycling center anyway, there is no need to do extensive publicity on your event; however, news departments at local media outlets should be approached.
  
• Choose "finger" foods to offer visitors that create no packaging waste
  · Some companies will volunteer their employees to help with non-profit projects over the weekend.
  
• Have eye-catching displays sitting on easels (for an example of such a display, see our Zero Waste Poster)
  
• Have contest entry forms about Zero Waste available on clipboards for people to fill out. Make sure there is an eye-catching box in which to deposit the entry forms.
  
• Have volunteers wear t-shirts which identify them as volunteers with your organization.
  
• Provide free give-aways of Zero Waste items such as coasters made from compact disks, pencils made from recycled currency, and recycled-content household and office supplies.
  
• Consider adding a humorous touch by having a Zero Waste Super Hero present in costume while people are recycling.
  
• Put Zero Waste "eco-facts" on recycling bins, including examples of how Zero Waste principles are happening in your own community. Make these tidbits short and to the point.
  
• Consider displaying Zero Waste idea contest prizes to draw attention.

Co-producers of the Zero Waste Activity Kit

Contact Us	© Zero Waste USA © Archive maintained by Laughter On Water	Search