Waste Prevention and Planning for Community Events

California State Law AB 2176 and SB 1383 require large events and venues to plan for convenient recycling and organics collection and coordinate the donation of edible food to feed people after your event.

Event Planners  

End of Day Dumpsters and Carts for Recycling, Organics, and Landfill

Call Republic Services at (925) 685-4711 for event waste planning assistance and container/dumpster donation requests (not a guarantee). 

Clear Stream Event Waste Stations for Recycling, Organics and Landfill

RecycleSmart provides free event "Clear Stream" waste stations and bags. Please email authority@recyclesmart.org to reserve for free. All containers must be returned the following week, and lids must be wiped clean. If Clear Stream containers are returned dirty you may risk future rentals. 

Clear Stream Waste Stations (+ Bags) Pick-up Location:

RecycleSmart

Storage located on lower level parking (P3) 

1850 Mt. Diablo Blvd. 

Walnut Creek CA 94596 

Large Events and Venues

Large event means an event that charges an admission price, or is operated by a local agency, and serves an average of more than 2,000 individuals per day, including, but not limited to, a public, nonprofit, or privately owned park, parking lot, golf course, street system, or other open space when being used for an event, including, but not limited to, a sporting event or a flea market.

A large venue means a permanent facility that annually seats or serves an average of more than 2,000 individuals within the grounds of the facility per day. A venue facility includes but is not limited to, a public, nonprofit, or privately owned or operated stadium, amphitheater, arena, hall, amusement park, conference or civic center, zoo, aquarium, airport, racetrack, horse track, performing arts center, fairground, museum, theater, or other public facilities.

Planning for Waste Prevention and Materials Handling at your Event

  • Plan for recycling, organics, and landfill services from the beginning. Include waste prevention practices and materials handling in your planning process.

  • Include waste station monitors as part of your normal volunteer schedule. 

  • Design simple, visual event signage. 

  • Do not allow vendors to use or sell:

    • Plastic bags

    • Expanded polystyrene foam (aka Styrofoam)

    • Single-use utensils and straws 

  • Require food vendors to provide reusable or 100% compostable food ware, utensils, and straws. Republic Services only accepts uncoated paper, wood, and bamboo in Organics/Compost (the green cart). Compostable plastics are never accepted in organics, and must go in landfill.

  • Require food vendors to provide bulk condiments for attendees to use to reduce single-use packaging material.    

Food Donation After Your Event

A lot of food is brought in, cooked and sold at community events, and often a lot of food is wasted. This may include your food vendors, community groups, and on-site facilities. Food can easily be recovered and donated to feed hungry people.  

Contra Costa County has developed a list of local Food Recovery Organizations and Services. Contact a vendor and plan to donate food from your event. Many of these organizations provide food recovery services for free.

White Pony Express is a local food recovery partner.   

Partner with r.Cup to Use Reusable Cups at Your Event or Venue

Ready to eliminate single-use waste at your event or venue? r.Cup makes it easy! Four billion single-use cups from events end up in landfills every year. When you switch to reusable r.Cups, you stand out from the crowd. For more information about these services visit, www.rcup.com. 

Event Attendees

  • Bring a reusable bag. A lot of the fun at events is walking around the booths to look at and purchase unique and handcrafted items. Say 'no' to plastic bags. 

  • Bring a reusable water bottle. Many events provide water filling stations. 

  • Bring a reusable straw and spork to reduce waste even more. 

  • Look for waste stations to recycle and compost. Properly sort your materials.