Events can produce large amounts of rubbish. The Franklin District Council Waste Bylaw, Part 11 - Special Events requires those organising events in public places and venues to submit a waste management plan to Council. It also requires that information and figures regarding the amount of waste collected and recycled at the event be reported to Council following the event. If a satisfactory waste management plan is not provided to Council this may affect the organiser’s ability to obtain consent from Council to hold the event.
 

Why minimise waste at your event?

By reducing, reusing and recycling, event organisers can minimise the waste produced at their event and reduce the impact on the environment. This can also lead to health and safety benefits and can enhance the ‘green’ image of an event. Offering an environmentally responsible event can also increase the profile of your event.
As the cost of waste disposal rises it will become more cost effective to provide event recycling. Offering reusable items at events can also lead to less waste being produced and reduce the need to pay for waste disposal. Many items used at events are disposable (single-use) such as drink bottles, cups, plates, containers, bags, serviettes etc. Many of these items thrown away at an event are recyclable or compostable. However unless suitable systems are offered by event organisers these items will go to waste and often are left littered around the event area.
 

How to minimise event waste
 

Council provides guidance to event organisers to successfully reduce waste and recycle at events. Click on the link below to download information on choosing the waste management and minimisation system for your event. This includes choosing the right type, size and location for recycling bins, setting up and promoting your chosen system and measuring the waste produced at your event.
• Waste Minimisation at Events a guide for event organisers (pdf, 460kb)

A planning checklist for running a successfully minimising waste at your event can be downloaded below:
• Planning Checklist for Waste Minimisation at Events (pdf, 204kb)
 

A template for completing and submitting your required Waste Management Plan can be downloaded below:
• Event Waste Management Plan Template (pdf, 160kb)
 

If you are not sure what types of waste are likely to be produced at your event, then you may need to conduct a waste audit at a similar event. This should be done before planning your waste minimisation systems and completing your Event Waste Management Plan. Information on carrying out a waste audit including a record sheet can be downloaded below:
• Event Waste Audit Guide (pdf, 444kb)
 

If you need help finding a recycling collector or supplier of reusable, recyclable or compostable items the information found in the list below will assist you.
• Suppliers and Contractors for Waste Minimisation Services at Events (pdf, 110kb)
 

A requirement of Councils waste bylaw is to provide information and figures regarding the amount of waste collected and recycled at your event to Council following the event. An event feedback form can be downloaded below:
• Event Waste Feedback Form (pdf, 133kb)