Event Waste Management Plans

Over 300,000 people are expected to attend the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix this weekend, but not a single one of these fans will arrive by car. Here's how Zandvoort used incentives to create the world's most sustainable sporting event (and why other events should copy their strategy) 👇 First, it's essential to understand why Zandvoort is so unique. The race track is surrounded by water, beaches, dunes, and even a natural park. It's essentially a dead end — there is only one way in and one way out. This is why race organizers banned cars altogether. Instead, they increased the frequency of trains so that one would arrive every 5-10 minutes before, during, and after the race. It's just a short walk to the track from there. Then, race organizers set up "Park & Bike" stations, allowing fans to park their cars a few miles away from the venue and then rent a bicycle to complete the final leg of their journey through the scenic dunes. The result is 40,000 bikes parked directly outside the track, with 98% of attendees arriving via train, bus, or bicycle. The only people allowed to drive into the venue (2%) were drivers, media members, team employees, and F1 personnel. But even more impressive than the Dutch Grand Prix's transportation initiative is how they eliminated waste through a gamified system. When fans arrive at the track, they are given a token that can be exchanged for a plastic cup when purchasing a drink. If you bring your plastic cup back when purchasing your second drink, you will receive another plastic cup in exchange. If you lose your cup, you will be charged 2 euros for a replacement cup. Once the race is over (and you return your last cup), you can then enter the code on the back of each token to win prizes online. This system is commonly used at other events in the Netherlands (concerts, etc.), but it helped achieve a 75% recycling rate for cups during the race. It worked so well because it gamified the recycling process with incentives. Some people held onto their cups to avoid paying the fee, while others proactively picked up trash to increase their chances of winning a prize. Think of it like this: Instead of spending money to hire hundreds of crew members to pick up trash, organizers paid fans (via prizes) to do it for them. This saved them money in the long run, but also produced better results, as people are more likely to recycle when everyone else is doing it too. Genius! P.S. Follow me (Joe Pompliano) for more sports business content! #sports #sportsbiz #linkedinsports

Sparkling lights, vibrant sarees, delicious food. Celebrations in India are a kaleidoscope of joy.  Be it weddings, festivals, or the birth of a child, we leave no opportunity to memorialize special events. But beneath these happy moments is an environmental enemy: mountains of disposable plastic. India generates over 25,000 tons of plastic waste every day. That’s enough to fill the Taj Mahal 20 times over!   A staggering 92% of this plastic ends up littering our streets and waterways, as it’s discarded without being recycled. Not surprisingly, weddings, with their heaps of disposable plates and utensils, are major contributors. And given its affordability and convenience, plastic crockery is the go-to option for most families. Many villages across India have been trying to do something about it. One of them is 𝘓𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘪 𝘈𝘩𝘪𝘳, a small village in Rajasthan – trading plastic for steel and convenience for community spirit. Enter: The Bartan Bank This community initiative provides villagers with free steel crockery for their events. Such a simple act, but this act has had a clear environmental impact: ▶️ Dozens of plastic-free weddings ▶️ Thousands of plates, spoons, forks, and bowls saved from landfills ▶️ Revived spirit of sharing, community, and consciousness of wastage. Remember those days when borrowing a cup of sugar meant knocking on your neighbour's door, or shouting across the wall “can I borrow...?” Led by 'Hockey Wali Sarpanch' Neeru Yadav who came on 𝘒𝘢𝘶𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘢 𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪, the Bartan Bank brings back that human connection. In a world where disposable culture has seeped into the fabric of everyday life, this initiative draws inspiration from India's past: where borrowing utensils from neighbours and relatives during celebrations was a symbol of community cooperation and shared memories. What other innovative solutions can we use to reshape our communities for the better? Image credit: Asian News International (ANI) #Innovation #India #sustainability #environment #Waste

Standing in a bustling Seoul street last year, I watched something remarkable unfold. What started as a typical city block transformed into a canvas for environmental change, vibrant artwork surrounding drains, turning potential litter spots into visual reminders of our shared responsibility. This wasn't just street art. It was community engagement in action. In #SouthKorea 🇰🇷, our Philip Morris International Korea team partnered with local government, the Korea Green Foundation, and local artists to tackle cigarette butt litter differently. Instead of just organizing clean-ups, they created an ecosystem of change: 400+ volunteers collecting 300 bags of waste, students creating anti-littering artwork, and entire neighborhoods becoming part of the solution. What struck me most was the ripple effect. One clean-up event in Yangsan evolved into a year-round sustainability hub. By September, 666 volunteers had collected over 18,000 cigarette butts, but more importantly, sparked conversations that are changing behaviors. Meanwhile in #Tunisia 🇹🇳, a different challenge led to equally innovative collaboration. Young entrepreneurs at startup Wayout developed "Zigofiltres"—simple cages for drains that prevent flooding by capturing cigarette butt litter before it blocks waterways. 246 of these devices now protect one of Tunisia's most flood-prone municipalities. Two countries. Two different ways of addressing a same challenge. One powerful lesson: when business, government, local innovators, and communities work together, environmental problems become opportunities for creative solutions. #Sustainability isn't just about corporate initiatives—it's about creating platforms where local ingenuity can flourish. 🌱 ♥️ Link to full case study here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ePU_Bwkt #CommunityEngagement Cc: Borhann Rachdi, Abla Benslimane, Hannah Yun, Miguel Coleta, Maria V Agelvis, Kelly Lavender, Euigyum Hong

Food waste at events must stop. According to the Eurostat 2023, in the EU, over 58 million tonnes of food waste (131 kg/inhabitant) are generated annually. Events can be part of the solution, not the problem. Here are four ideas to reduce food waste at events: 1️⃣ Give boxes to your attendees to take leftover food home. I did this at the Mövenpick Hotel Stuttgart Messe & Congress. I received an amazing fruit platter, no way I’ll throw this away, so I asked for a box to take it with me. 2️⃣ Put a sign at your buffet saying ‘Please help us stop food waste, take only as much as you can eat’. Seen at Hotel Interlaken in Interlaken. 3️⃣ Get creative with food waste and make it an experience. For example, at Urban Future event they hosted a rescue dinner where leftover vegetables were transformed into a four-course dining experience for event attendees and locals. In Zurich there’s a team activity that is called ‘Taste the Waste’ where you cook with food that can no longer be sold in supermarkets. 4️⃣ Increasingly I hear about hotels and restaurants that participate in the Too Good To Go programme and offer leftovers food from the day to be sold via the app. Let’s keep this conversation going and share more ideas how events can contribute to reducing food waste. Share your tips below. ------------------------------- I love MICE! Be the first to get insider trends on my free newsletter. The link is at the top of my profile. See you there!

What do conference dinners and sustainability have in common? Imagine this: You're at a wedding reception, enjoying lively conversations as the main course wraps up. Then, The waitstaff arrives, balancing large trays of desserts. Everyone gets served simultaneously, and the trays disappear as quickly as they arrive. Efficient, right? But then you notice a familiar scene: untouched slices of cake, forgotten puddings, and a growing pile of waste. This isn’t just a wedding problem; it’s a sustainability challenge. In scenarios like these, Lean Six Sigma principles can help. By focusing on the entire lifecycle planning, forecasting, and execution we can turn these moments of excess into opportunities for smarter, more thoughtful processes. For example: -Forecasting attendance accurately could help caterers prepare the right amount of food. -Data analytics could reveal how many guests want dessert, avoiding unnecessary waste. -Applying a Just-in-Time (JIT) delivery system ensures desserts are served only when needed, improving quality and reducing waste. Beyond logistics, sustainability extends to choosing locally sourced ingredients to reduce transport emissions and engaging attendees in waste education initiatives. Imagine volunteers sharing how small changes like composting leftover food impact the environment and economy. The real lesson? It’s not just about better forecasting or logistics. Sustainability thrives on creating a culture of respect, humility, and continuous improvement. These ideas, inspired by the Toyota Production System, remind us to focus on people, not just processes. Here's a thought: Next time you plan an event, could you reimagine the experience to reduce waste and foster sustainability? Small steps lead to significant changes when we think holistically. What’s one sustainability practice you’ve seen at events that left a lasting impression?

18-20% is the average food waste at events globally. Here’s why: Food is a large part of any event experience. Over 60% organisers say that 40% of an event’s feedback is based on food. ( and I was thinking that’s just an India thing 🫣!) Hence a lot of focus on getting that right. Enter #FORO - fear of running out. An event organizers worst nightmare. And a PR catastrophe. To avoid that kitchens/ event caterers factor in an additional 10% on an average. For a 1000 people event which serves 3 meals and 20-25 options per meal, do the math! That’s a lot of extra food going directly to the bin 🗑️! This is real. Happens all the time and comes with huge carbon footprints. Yet can easily be managed and here’s how we suggest: 🍴Involve delegates from the onset. Tell them we are looking to minimise waste and ask them to share their dietary preferences so we can estimate better. Get the numbers right and make them a part of the goal. 🍴Design menus using local and seasonal ingredients. Work with the chef to create menus that’s are wholesome, great tasting yet low on footprints. Delegates don’t care where it comes from, as long as it tastes awesome. Including some ‘root to tip’ recipes would be a bonus ! 🤩 🍴Plan to manage excess food. Have a plan to manage the extra food - tie up with local services who are happy to have it collected and distributed. 🍴Share. Share. Share. Get every delegate invested in the cause- share why we are doing this , what did we do and what was the impact. Make them feel very good about the little choices they made and the big impact it had. Small steps. Completely doable. Huge impact. Good for the brand, people and the planet. So what are we waiting for? 🤷♀️😊 ************** At #RedBlue we reimagine events as they can be. We don’t do what’s easy, but what’s necessary backed by data and intent and most importantly your support! ❤️

I had the chance to catch Coldplay’s Music concert at Wembley Stadium; and beyond the music, the sustainability elements blew me away. Here’s how they’re setting the bar for green concerts: * Waste-free stadiums: reusable cups for drinks with easy returns. In India, organizations like Skrap and Hasiru Dala Innovations are doing incredible work managing waste at concerts. * Refill stations: fans stayed hydrated without single-use plastics, thanks to free water refills. In India, my friends at Greenlit helped roll this out at large-scale events. * Fan-powered energy: kinetic dance floors and stationary bikes that literally let the crowd help power the show. * Eco wristbands: LED wristbands made from compostable, plant-based materials. Impressively, 86% were returned and reused. Quick comparison on wristband return rates (as of early 2025): 1. South Korea: 99% 2. Japan: 97% 3. Finland: 96% 4. Singapore & Malaysia: 91% 5. Thailand: 89% 6. USA (Seattle): ~86% 7. UK (London, Wembley): ~86% 8. India (Ahmedabad): ~72% And the overall impact? A 59% reduction in tour carbon emissions, backed by renewable energy setups, reforestation, and better logistics. What struck me most was how the same tools that fuel joy; music, dancing, lights; were repurposed to fuel sustainability. Here is proof that sustainability and celebration can co-exist at scale. Now imagine if our public events served our cities like this too — Independence Day melas that become experiences of unity and sustainability, cricket matches powered by reusables and renewable energy, community festivals where waste truly goes to zero. The blueprint is here. The question is: how do we make it ours?

An impressive 85% return rate for reusable cups was registered in Aarhus in less than 8 months – proving that consumer behavior can be shifted with the right infrastructure, but what does this success tell us about the future of reusable packaging at scale? I recently reviewed the "State of Zero Waste Municipalities Report", which offers a comprehensive overview of how communities are reimagining waste management and material consumption across Europe and globally. This report highlights how the Zero Waste Cities model is helping municipalities across Europe not only meet but exceed legislative targets. There are several promising case studies; consider some of my favorites from the report: 🟢 Viladecans' "Take a step, bring your container" campaign involved 82 shops and avoided 8,504 disposable items in 3 months by promoting reusable alternatives. 🟢 Tallinn's mandate for reusable tableware at city-wide events has a 92% return rate and helped decrease waste generation per participant by two-thirds between 2019 and 2023. 🟢 In Slovenia, Komunala Škofja Loka's reusable cup rental service has already avoided 23,000 single-use cups since its launch in March 2024. These local efforts underscore that ambitious reuse and prevention strategies are not just environmental wins but also financially prudent and socially engaging. #SustainablePackaging #ReuseRevolution #ZeroWasteCities #CircularEconomy #PolicyInnovation

4 steps framework for organizing a net zero event. (Offsetting your carbon footprint should be the last one) When planning sustainable events - most companies think of offsetting first. And other 3 important steps are usually skipped. If you don't want to make the same mistake. Follow this framework: Step 1. 𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 Make a conscious effort to avoid venues, transport, or other activities that create more emissions than others. Step 2. 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Focus on improving efficiency, reusing materials, and minimizing waste to lower the overall carbon footprint of the event. Step 3. 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 Substitute high-carbon activities with low-carbon alternatives. Consider virtual or hybrid events to reduce travel-related emissions. Step 4. 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 Invest in carbon offset projects to balance out the emissions that cannot be eliminated, such as renewable energy projects or reforestation initiatives. Following these steps sequentially lowers your event's footprint to begin with. Minimizes waste and saves the natural resources along the way. And reduces offsetting cost too. So when you are organizing your next event. Focus on these biggest emission sources first. And apply the 4-step framework to each one of them. Start with 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Responsible for 45% of emissions. Use shared vehicles, public transport, or carpool. Offer virtual attendance options. Then consider the 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 Contributes to 20% of emissions. Choose venues with renewable energy. Opt for green or LEED-certified buildings. Then think about the 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 sources Makes up 15% of emissions. Source food locally. Offer plant-based options. Avoid food waste. And plan for 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 Adds 10% to the emissions. Select venues with waste management programs. Use biodegradable utensils and reusable items. And finally, 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 That contributes to 10% to the emissions. Use renewable energy sources. Schedule events during daylight hours. So by following this four-step process. And focusing on the bigger emission sources first. You can plan a more sustainable event without any external support. 🌍 And you don't have to be a sustainability pro for it! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now that I've shared the framework and steps, excuses like 'We lack the expertise' or 'It will cost more' just don’t cut it. What’s your excuse now? Comment with the lamest excuse you’ve heard for not organizing sustainable events? #SustainableEvents #NetZero #GreenMeetings

Did you know the average Indian wedding generates 400-600 kilograms of waste, with much of it being non-biodegradable? I recently attended a wedding—rich in tradition and love. But as I looked around, I couldn’t help but notice the hidden cost: heaps of single-use plastics, wasted food, and decorations discarded after just one day. It got me thinking. What if we celebrated with the same joy—but without the guilt of harming the environment? Plastic waste in weddings: Disposable cutlery, water bottles, and packaging are significant contributors. Food waste: 10-20% of food prepared at Indian weddings goes uneaten, despite millions going hungry. Decor waste: Non-biodegradable decor often ends up in landfills, taking decades to break down. What if your wedding could buck this trend and become an inspiration for others? 5 Ways to Make Your Wedding Sustainable: > Rethink Invitations: Switch to e-invites or seed-paper invites. Why it matters: Producing one ton of paper consumes 24,000 gallons of water. Digital invites eliminate this. > Opt for Local, Seasonal Menus: Choose caterers who prioritize local and seasonal ingredients. Imported foods have a larger carbon footprint due to transportation. > Eco-Friendly Decor: Use reusable items like fairy lights, fabric drapes, and potted plants. Fact: Renting decor items cuts waste and supports circular economy practices. > Say No to Plastics: Replace plastic cutlery and straws with compostable alternatives or reusable crockery. India generates 3.5 million tons of plastic annually—your wedding can help reduce this number! > Food Waste Management; Partner with NGOs to donate surplus food. Insight: Wasted food contributes to 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Indian weddings aren’t just personal celebrations—they’re cultural statements. By adopting sustainable practices, you can inspire a mindset shift in your community while staying true to tradition. ✨ Your big day can also make a big impact. Let’s make weddings a celebration of love and responsibility. Planning a wedding soon? DM me for personalized tips to make your special day greener. Together, let’s create new traditions that honor both our culture and the planet. #SustainableWeddings #IndianWeddings #EcoFriendlyCelebrations #BeyondWaste