Festivals and large parties are fun but they generate a lot of waste. There are many ways to reduce the amount generated and recycle it. The County Recycling Specialist is available to Park Districts and community groups as they plan festival events to assist. Below are tips that any organization can use to cut the waste and recycle as much as possible.  

Tips for Recycling at Festivals

Start with Vendors! Ask them to serve items in recyclable or compostable materials. (Think aluminum cans, plastic bottles, paper plates, biodegrable utensils)

Collect Cardboard, Chipboard, Aluminum, Tin/Steel, Plastic. Vendors bring many of their supplies in cardboard and chipboard boxes. If they are serving food, many supplies come in Tin/Steel Cans that do not need rinsed to be recycled.  Aluminum cans and aluminum foil can easily be added. Plastic containers may also be collected.

Setting up pairs of collection containers: Carts or Dumpsters or Roll-Off dumpsters may be designated for garbage and comingled recycling.

Ask participants to Recycle! Signs and pairs of collection containers such as those pictured above make the choice to recycle easy for participants. Remember that photos are worth 1,000 words so label collection containers with words and graphics.