Community Event Waste Management

California State Law AB 2176 and SB 1383 require large events and venues to plan for convenient recycling and organics collection, and excess edible food recovery, and report information upon request to their local jurisdiction.

Event Planners  

​RecycleSmart and Republic Services also partner with Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek to provide free event waste station "ClearStream" containers and bags. Please call Heather Farm Park directly at (925) 943-5800 to reserve for free. 

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.

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 attraction facility. 

Helpful Event Waste Planning Information

  • Do not allow vendors to use or sell plastic bags or expanded polystyrene foam (aka Styrofoam) 
  • Design simple, visual event signage 
  • During planning, determine what materials may be generated and collected properly 
  • Include Waste Station Monitors as part of your normal volunteer schedule 

Event Food Donation

A lot of food is brought in, cooked and sold at community events, and often a lot of food is wasted. 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 extra food from your event. Many of these organizations provide food recovery services for free.  

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. 
  • Look for waste stations to recycle and compost. Properly sort your materials. 
  • Find out if the event will provide bike stations - make a day of it and ride your bike!