The Ordinary Environmentalist: Big Events = Big Garbage Bags

How to Balance Convenience with Conservation

Yesterday I volunteered at a wonderful event that had around 100 attendees. We served beverages and heavy hors d'oeuvres using, you guessed it, plastic plates, and cups. I wasn’t in charge of bringing any of the serving items and didn’t think very much about it…until we were cleaning up.

After I saw three huge black garbage bags full of waste, I started to think about what we could have done to be a bit more environmentally friendly, without adding more work for the volunteers, or making things inconvenient for the attendees.

Here are a few things I came up with that I think balance convenience with conservation when you are planning your informal parties, reunions and other events this summer:

Before the Event
• Try to purchase paper and plates made from recycled products.
• Look for plastic products that can be recycled, e.g. serving containers. For example, I can put clear plastic #1 cups in my recycling bin.
• Find a couple of boxes or bins to use for recycling and make up signs clearly showing what to toss into that particular container.
• Assign a designated person who is willing to take the recycled products home to put in their recycle bin, if there isn’t an onsite recycling option.

During the Event

• Place the well-marked recycle box or bin near the garbage can.
• In the ‘kitchen’ area have paper recycle box or grocery bag clearly marked for cracker boxes, etc.

After the Event
• Have a bored kid or spouse make sure only recyclable materials are in the containers and have them bag ‘em up.
• Give the recycled materials to the designated person for home recycling, or if available, put in the on-site recycling bins.
• Put away the chairs, divvy up the leftover food and head on home!

Given some guidance, most people at in-formal events are more than happy to recycle, as long as you make it easy for them.

Paper and plastic items have their place, and with a little planning, any Ordinary Environmentalist can balance convenience with conservation and save a couple of garbage bags from going into the landfill.


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