Event Recovery

We can assist you in planning a Zero Waste event for only a  modest fee to recover our costs. As well as organizing the necessary containers, signage, and collection services, we can also assist in educating your staff, or volunteers on how to achieve the most success.  Proactive environmental efforts will support Victoria's continued success as a major tourist and conference destination, known for our environment. Diverting food scraps at special events such as fairs, conferences, sporting events, and trade shows, can pose unique challenges and opportunities. Early coordination between event staff, food preparation staff, consumers, haulers, and composters is critical to successful food diversion, collection and composting efforts.

Conferences & Workshops

Catered and buffet-style events offer greater opportunity to control the flow of food scraps since only one food service provider is involved. Therefore, your choice of caterer is critical to the success of your food diversion efforts. Ask potential caterers if they can provide reusable dishware or biodegradable products, and inquire about their willingness to separate pre- and post-consumer food scraps (if tables are bussed).  Reusable dishware will considerably reduce the number of scrap bins needed and will provide the end food processor with a much higher proportion of actual food scraps.

If tables are bussed by food servers, set up a small food collection bin at a convenient location along the bussing table and instruct staff about what organic materials are acceptable.

If diners are responsible for their own plate scrapings, ensure that bin signage is clear and visible. Collection of compostable materials may have more success and less contamination if patrons can throw biodegradable products into bins instead of separating food from nonbiodegradable products, such as foam or plastic plates, cups, and utensils. Contamination problems can occur even if separate garbage and food bins are placed next to each other with good signage

Fairs, Festivals & Sporting Events

The majority of waste generated by food consumers at public events is not actually food. However, there is great potential for a significant volume of compostable materials to be collected, including biodegradable products (cups, plates and utensils) and, of course, food scraps.

Source separation of recyclables (glass, plastic, cans), organics (food, paper products), and garbage at large public events can be difficult unless organizers provide clear signage and strategically placed collection bins to minimize cross-contamination. Always provide a garbage bin beside every food scrap and recycle bin. The use of biodegradable products also may reduce the need to source separate materials as long as the compost facility will accept them.

Food preparation trimmings—or pre-consumer food— from vendors should also be collected.  Inform food vendors early about your plans to collect food scraps. You may want to require their cooperation through contractual language to source separate food scraps for composting collection.

Event Recovery 101

We can assist you in planning a Zero Waste event for only a  modest fee to recover our costs. As well as organizing the necessary containers, signage, and collection services, we can also assist in educating your staff, or volunteers on how to achieve the most success.  Proactive environmental efforts will support Victoria's continued success as a major tourist and conference destination, known for our environment. Diverting food scraps at special events such as fairs, conferences, sporting events, and trade shows, can pose unique challenges and opportunities. Early coordination between event staff, food preparation staff, consumers, haulers, and composters is critical to successful food diversion, collection and composting efforts.