Involve the People…

Donna Kliewer, Waste Services Manager

WHY Involve the Community in a Green Event?

Change model of behaviorIncrease environmental awarenessIncrease participation in local waste

minimization programs

WHO Can You Involve in Your Special Events?

What businesses are in your city/county that provide frequently used/needed services?

Who volunteers for you?Which non-profits are in your community?What services are desired or could easily be

provided on the day of your event? What non-profit is quietly in the background

doing good work?

What Makes THEM Want to be Involved With YOU?

Explain the goals & vision of the event & the benefits of partnership Invite them to participate

How Do You Reach the Community?

Personal invitation Banners USPostal Website Press release to all media contacts Articles in media: newspapers, e-news, community chat, local magazines, Facebook, Twitter, Constant Contact

A Few Allen Examples…• USA Celebration – the largest zero waste event

in North Texas celebrates Independence Day• Allen Recycles Day – a day of cleanup,

greenup, recycle and celebration• Great American Cleanup – a KAB national

community clean up event• Earthfest – a celebration of an active &

environmentally healthy community• Educator Expo – showcasing free educational

programs & distributing donated door prizes

80,000 visitors from 4 – 11pm

USA Celebration

Essentials: By-in, Education, Volunteers

• Parks & Recreation Dept Main • Keep Allen Beautiful players• Community Waste Disposal• Food vendors• City Staff break/dining area• VIP break/dining area • Police Dept • Fire Dept • Businesses with interactive displays • Radio Disney On site• Various bounce house/slide vendors players• Live local bands & national headliner band • Fireworks

USA Celebration

AUSA Results

8,050 pounds of materials collected• Plastic, aluminum, glass containers 31.06%• Compost materials, OCC, wood 59.01%• Regular trash/waste 9.94%

A Zero Waste Event has less than 10% of the waste materials sent to the landfill

Allen Recycles Day• Medication take-back local hospital & PD

Shredding local business • Metals & computers regional:

partner • Bicycles regional: non-profit • Eyeglasses local: Lion’s Club • Books, CDs, DVDs local: F.OT. Library• Shoes regional: The Shoe Bank • Pet items local: Animal Shelter • OCC regional: CWD

Household items local charity: ACO

ARD Results• 74.71% recycled • 18.9% repurposed >200

vehicles • 4.10% composted per hour!• 2.26% trashed • 902 lbs. incinerated medication/needles

Great American Cleanup• Shredding local business • Metals & computers est. partner:

Cyclone• Bicycles regional: Spokes for

Folks • Eyeglasses local: Lion’s Club • Books, CDs, DVDs local: Friends o.t.

Library • Shoes regional: The Shoe

Bank • Pet items local: Animal Shelter • OCC est. partner: CWD • Household items local charity:

ACO

GAC Results• Recycle/Compost/Reuse 76%• Trash 24%

1583 vehicles served129 volunteers

Earthfest• Participants: environmentally-minded non-profits,

educators, environmental clubs, BSA, GSA, local hospital, REI, CC Master Naturalists, AHA, AGC, KAB, Heard Museum, NT Kayak Club, Heritage Guild, Texas Pure Products, BLP Raptor Center, In-Sync Exotics, Connemara Land Trust

Educator ExpoParticipants: City of Allen Departments - SW, Code Enforcement, CWD, Community Development (Planning), Animal Shelter, PD, FD, Public Library, Water Conservation, Urban ForestryNon-Profits – Keep Allen Beautiful, Heritage Guild, Alliance for a Healthier AllenCounty - Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists

Involve YOUR Communityin Your Next Green Event!

The first steps to implement a Waste Minimization Program at your Special Events are small steps that involve your community.

Small steps will lead to a wildly successful event.