One of the challenges many event directors face is how to deal with the permanent trash receptacles on many city streets. Our counsel is to somehow take them out of circulation for the day and direct folks to the nearest recycling station, where a volunteer can encourage people to put trash in the trash bin, recyclables in the recycling bin and compostables in the compost bin.

The photo to the left was taken at this year’s LIVESTRONG Austin Marathon, where the centralized recycling collection effort was quite successful. In fact, race day waste stats in Austin this year reveal a 79% year-over-year decrease in the amount on waste sent to the landfill. Of course, that was due to an integrated waste collection effort, not just the result of “capping” city trash cans. But, the “capping” effort has proven to be an effective component in the efficient collection of race day waste. If nothing else, it saves a lot of time and effort by green team volunteers, who would otherwise have to separate collected trash from recycling and compostables.

The photo below, from this year’s Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, is a good example of an effective centralized recycling station. Clearly marked cardboard containers were dedicated to trash and food waste, while the ubiquitous Clearstream recycling bins accommodated recyclables. What you can’t see in this photo, other than the black pole in the middle of the photo, is the highly visible overhead signage that calls attention to the location of the recycling station.

We’ve got some new recycling station banners in the works that we’ll test at the Lilac Bloomsday Run next week. Stay tuned for photos and a critique.

Q: What to do with a ton of soggy paper cups?

A: Ask Eco-Logistics for help.

photo courtesy Chris Bovey

The Lilac Bloomsday Run uses as many as 500,000  cups each year. This year, Bloomsday asked us to help minimize the event’s solid waste. We focused on cup usage and found a local yard waste composter who would accept compostable cups. So, instead of being incinerated at the local waste-to-energy plant, Bloomsday sent 2,080 pounds of cups to a more useful afterlife as garden mulch.

It really is as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Find a local composter who is willing to work with you.

2. Make sure the cups and trash bags you use are compostable.

3. Work with your hauler to arrange for proper collection and delivery to the composter.

Q: What can Eco-Logistics do for you?