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Resource Center
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Starting a recycling program from scratch is hard work—that’s why Recycle on the Go has laid the foundation for you. Use these resources to jump-start your recycling program and find inspiration from others.
Recycle on the Go Materials and Resources
General Resources
- Waste Reduction
- Waste Prevention
- Recycling
- Purchasing
- Composting and Food Donation
- Measurement
- Laws, Policies, and Ordinances
- Local Information
- Concessionaires and Vendors
- Custodial/Janitorial Services
- Waste Haulers
Venue-Specific Resources
- Convention Centers
- Parks
- Shopping Centers
- Special Events
- Sports and Recreation Facilities
- Transportation Hubs
Recycle on the Go Resources
Outreach Materials
- Recycle on the Go at Special Events: Finding Recycling Help in All the Right Places (PDF) (19 pp, 1.2MB) | PowerPoint Version (19 pp, 6MB)
- Greening Your Gig: Finding Help in All the Right Places (PDF) (7 pp, 3.4MB)
Provides special events tips for recycling success, and how to tap into community resources to find free technical assistance, volunteers, containers, and more. Janice Johnson, US EPA, in International Festival and Events Magazine, June 2008. - Venue Recycling in the USA
identifies seven venue and event categories and estimates the potential volume of recyclable containers generated within each of these categories, and cumulatively. The report provides six guiding principles shared by all successful recycling models, as well as common on-site recycling opportunities. It provides programmatic detail in the form of successful recycling “models” for each of the identified venue and event categories and two active program examples for each category.
General Resources
Waste Reduction Resources
Online Resources
- EPA’s WasteWise: EPA’s free, voluntary program that helps organizations identify, implement, and evaluate waste reduction activities
- Business Guide for Reducing Solid Waste (PDF) (82 pp, 49.6MB): Step-by-step instructions for establishing a waste reduction program
- Recycling and Solid Waste Management Educational Series: Monthly educational series to learn directly from experts working throughout the country about the issues, projects, and practices for creating successful waste management programs
- Tool Kit for Solid Waste Management (PDF) (83 pp, 1.2MB): Learn how to build or improve a solid waste management program
- EPA’s Regional Home Pages and Solid and Hazardous Waste Programs: Learn about EPA’s 10 Regional Offices and their associated recycling initiatives
- Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) Web page: Learn about EPA's national effort to conserve natural resources and energy by managing materials more efficiently
- Wisconsin
Be SMART Coalition :
Tips, tools, reports, and case studies derived
from first hand experience of the Wisconsin
Be SMART Coalition ("SMART" stands
for Save Money and Reduce Trash)
- New
York City 2007 Report on Public Space Recycling
Pilot : Investigates potential for public
space recycling, challenges to managing a public
space recycling program, and keys for success
Waste Prevention Resources
Online Resources
- Pollution
Prevention Resource Exchange : Browse Web-based
guides to peer-reviewed pollution prevention
information and expertise on different subjects,
including schools, transportation, and hospitality
and tourism
- Reusable
Transport Containers : Browse this directory
to find available reusable transport packaging
- Record
Setting Resources : Examples of successful
waste reduction programs
- Source
Reduction Now : How to implement a source
reduction program
Recycling Resources
Online Resources
- Ralphie's Green Stampede : Named after their buffalo mascot, this is the University of Colorado's ambitious effort to reuse, recycle, or compost valuable materials, thereby reducing the environmental impact of home games. A combination of CU’s internal commitment, strong vendor involvement, and effective outreach and external relations are setting a new standard in “sustainable stadiums”. Waste reduction measures will continue to shrink total materials use while packaging chosen for recyclability and compostability will dramatically increase diversion.
- Recycling
Glossary : Find recycling and waste
terms defined by the Massachusetts Recycling
Coalition
- Earth 911 : Find local recycling information,
including recycling materials markets and recycling
facilities and drop-off centers
- Office Recycling Containers and Waste Receptacles: Learn how these can be made from recovered paper, plastic, or steel
- Recycling Program Evaluation Table (PDF) (1 pg, 36K): Chart to help assess your recycling program
- Volume-to-Weight
Conversion Chart (PDF) (2
pp, 16K) : Volume-to-Weight Conversion
Chart approved for use in the RecycleMania competition
- EPA's Municipal Solid Waste Common Wastes and Materials page: Information on recycling activities associated with a variety on materials recovered for recycling in the United States
- Standard
Recycling Signs : Download free signs from
Social Change Media
Case Studies
- New
York City Public Space Recycling Pilot Program:
Report on Results : This report looks at
the potential for public space recycling to
increase the City's waste diversion rate.
- University
of Colorado at Boulder's Recycling Web page
:
Facts and resources from one of the oldest campus
recycling programs in the country
- Green
Parks Environmental Toolkit : Sign up to
receive pollution prevention and sustainability
resources geared toward public land managers
- Boise City Downtown Recycling | PDF Version (2 pp, 181K): Pedestrian recycling program
Purchasing Resources
Online Resources
- EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Supplier Database: Search the database for recycling and trash bins made with recycled content
- Recycled-Content Bags: Learn about plastic trash bags with recovered material content
- Purchasing
Strategies to Prevent Waste and Save Money
:
Information and examples of how the procurement
process can be used to prevent waste, save money
and improve your organization's efficiency
Composting and Food Donation Resources
Online Resources
- EPA’s Composting Web area: Learn how to start your own compost bin
- EPA’s Food Scraps Web area: Find more environmentally friendly ways to manage leftover food
- Putting Surplus Food to Good Use (PDF) (2 pp, 1.1MB): A How-To Guide for Food Service Providers
- Waste Not, Want Not: Feeding the Hungry and Reducing Solid Waste Through Food Recovery (PDF) (59 pp, 1.4MB): Learn how to reduce your solid waste and help others
- Rock
and Wrap It Up : Encourages the collection
and local donation of leftover food from rock
concerts, sporting events, political rallies,
and college and school cafeterias
Case Studies
- Food
Scrap Reduction Case Studies : Pilot food
scrap diversion programs from the California
Integrated Waste Management Board
Measurement
Online Resources
- EPA's WAste Reduction Model (WARM) Calculator: Tool to help organizations track and report greenhouse gas emissions reductions
- Volume-to-Weight
Conversion Chart (PDF) (2
pp, 16K) : Volume-to-Weight Conversion
Chart approved for use in the RecycleMania competition
Laws, Policies, and Ordinances
Online Resources
- City of Pittsburgh Ordinance for Recycling in Public Places (PDF) (4 pp, 540K)
- San Francisco Uses Ordinance to Promote Recycling in Public Places (PDF) (6 pp, 586K)
- Wisconsin Uses Ordinances and Permits to Promote Recycling in Public Places (PDF) (7pp, 516K)
- Focus on Recycling at Washington Events (PDF) (4 pp, 177K): Washington State's law requiring recycling at special events
- State
and municipal mandates, ordinances, and policies
:
Policies and ordinances affecting large venues
and large events in California
Local Information
More and more environmental resources are available in our communities. The resources below offer community-based solid waste information and can help you learn about recycling programs in your state.
Concessionaires and Vendors
Online Resources
- Sample letter you can send concessionaires and vendors: Template letter to fill in and send to vendors and concessionaires
Custodial/Janitorial Services
Online Resources
- Working
with janitorial service companies (PDF)
(4 pp, 48K) :
Tips on how to engage janitorial services in
recycling program
Waste Haulers
Online Resources
- How
Your Solid Waste Contract Can Work For You (PPT)
(17 pp, 257K, PowerPoint)
: Tips on how to get waste haulers to work with
you to support your recycling program.
Case Studies
- A
Look at Resource Management Contracting in Massachusetts
(PPT) (15 pp, 136K,
PowerPoint) : How organizations have used resource management
contracts
- RFPs
from Minnesota/State sponsored projects
: Sample RFPs for soliciting resource management
contracts
- West
Des Moines Community School Districts bid (DOC)
(20 pp, 184K)
: RFP for resource management services
Venue Specific Resources
Convention Centers
Resources
- EPA’s Green Meetings: Choose your role in the meeting planning process to discover helpful resources
- Green Conventions Web site: Learn how to make large events more environmentally beneficial while reducing costs and wastes
- Convention
Industry Council’s Green Meetings Report
(PDF) (14 pp, 340K)
: Read about best practices for event suppliers
and organizers
- Tips
on venue waste reduction from California’s
Integrated Waste Management Board (PDF)
(2 pp, 3MB) : Find suggestions that will help you reduce
your waste at large events
- Beyond
Bins: Venue and Event Recycling (PPT) (33
pp, 5.1MB, PowerPoint) : An overview
of the waste challenges presented by large events
and how to address them
- Waste
Reduction at Venue Facilities and Large Events
: Tools to assist all involved, from the California
Integrated Waste Management Board
- Recycling
at Events: A Guide to Reducing Waste at Any
Event (PDF) (15 pp,
5.4MB) : A green guide from pre-event
planning to post-event evaluation
- Fact sheet explaining how to involve concessionaires and vendors in your recycling program: Tools both for venues with a permanent recycling infrastructure and special events that require temporary recycling activities
- Special
Events Recycling Guide (PDF) (2
pp, 1.7MB) : An overview of special events
recycling, including tips for staff training,
bin placement, and contracting with a hauler
- Green Conference Sample Contract Language (PDF) (8pp, 16K): A contract excerpt illustrating possible structure and language for including green initiatives
Sample Programs
- Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania: David L. Lawrence Convention Center
: The Center can handle all materials entering
the building from recycling plastics and glass
to composting food waster and wooden pallets
- San
Francisco, California: The Moscone Center :
The Center started its recycling program in
1998 with diversion of high volume materials
from the exhibit floor and lobby areas; the
program today targets materials from all areas
and sources
- Greening Brownfields 2008: Practices and Lessons Learned (PDF) (108 pp, 5.8MB): EPA partnered with ICMA (International City/County Management Association) to green EPA's Brownfields 2008 conference held at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan. EPA prepared a case study of its greening efforts, which includes a case study of the venue recycling efforts. Contact Briana Bill (bill.briana@epa.gov) for more information.
Parks
Resources
- The Tool Kit for Solid Waste Management (PDF) (83 pp, 1.2MB): Find the tools and information needed to build a solid waste management program
- Green
Parks Environmental Toolkit : Networking
resources for public land managers
Sample Programs
- Yellowstone National Park (PDF) (2 pp, 96K): By collaborating with surrounding communities, the Yellowstone National Park recycling program collects more recyclables and makes its hauling fees more affordable
Shopping Centers
Resources
- EPA's America’s Marketplace Recycles!: Learn how to increase reuse and recycling efforts and possibly cut costs
- Tips
on venue waste reduction from California's Integrated
Waste Management Board (PDF) (2pp,
3MB) :
Find suggestions that will help you reduce your
waste at large events
- Beyond
Bins: Venue and Event Recycling (PPT) (33
pp, 5.1MB, PowerPoint) : An overview
of the waste challenges presented by large events
and how to address them
- Waste
Reduction at Venue Facilities and Large Events :
Tools to assist all involved, from the California
Integrated Waste Management Board
- Fact sheet explaining how to involve concessionaires and vendors in your recycling program: Tools both for venues with a permanent recycling infrastructure and special events that require temporary recycling activities
Sample Programs
- Four Case Studies from AMR! (PDF) (9 pp, 352K): Read about how malls across the country are cutting down their waste streams and increasing recycling
Special Events
Online Toolkits
- Waste
Reduction at Venue Facilities and Large Events :
Tools to assist all involved, from the California
Integrated Waste Management Board
- Recycling
Events Toolkit, Victoria, Australia (PDF)
(67 pp, 1.1MB)
: This guide contains many helpful tips on getting
the initial buy-in through the evaluation process
- EPA's Recycle on the Go Web area: Information on implementing recycling programs at both urban and rural special events, success stories, and fact sheets on how to include volunteers and involve concessionaires and vendors in your recycling program.
- Wisconsin
Be SMART Coalition : Information, resources,
and hands-on planning support for special events
through crew training, meetings with key players,
and downloadable signs, press releases, and
educational materials—including tips on
souvenir cup reuse and refill programs.
- Wisconsin's
Public Place Recycling Toolkit :
Tips, tools, reports, and case studies derived
from firsthand experiences of site coordinators,
event planners, and municipal recycling coordinators.
- California’s
Venues and Events Web site : Tools such
as sample ordinances and policies, cost calculation
spreadsheets, case studies, a solid waste reduction
guide, and links to government and industry
resources such as recycled-content product suppliers.
The site also features other downloadable information
useful for cities, counties, and regional agencies
with venues and facilities for hosting special
events or that issue event and park permits.
- Runner's
World Green Team : Tools such as a green
guide, case studies, and application form to
become a green race.
How-To Guides
- Beyond
Bins: Venue and Event Recycling (PPT) (33pp,
5.1MB, PowerPoint) : An overview of the
waste challenges presented by large events and
how to address them
- General Guidelines for Recycling at Mass Participant Sporting Events : Guidelines, developed by Eco-Logistics and AFMInc, for recycling at mass participant sporting events, with specific recommendations for
recycling the low-density polyethylene finishers’ blankets that are distributed at long distance
running events and triathlons
- Recycling
at Special Events: A Model for Local Government
Recycling and Waste Reduction (PDF) (16
pp, 168K) : A guide detailing programs
and policies to help city and county planners
encourage recycling at special events in their
jurisdictions
- Recycling
at Events: A Guide to Reducing Waste at Any
Event (PDF) (15 pp,
5.4MB) : A green guide from pre-event
planning to post-event evaluation
- Best
Management Practices Guidebook for Special Event-Generated
Waste in Rural Communities (PDF) (38
pp, 1.4MB) : Learn how to dramatically
reduce your waste, based on six special events
in rural communities
- Fact sheet explaining how to involve concessionaires and vendors in your recycling program: Tools both for venues with a permanent recycling infrastructure and special events that require temporary recycling activities
- WasteWise
Events : A guide full of useful steps to
follow, tips and suggestions on who to involve,
and helpful checklists
- The
Event Planner's Guide to Waste Reduction, Wisconsin
Be SMART Coalition :
A guide full of tips that have been successfully
tried by event planners across the country
- Special
Events Recycling Guide (PDF) (2
pp, 1.7MB) : An overview of special events
recycling, including tips for staff training,
bin placement, and contracting with a hauler
- Developing
Trash-Free Special Events (PDF) (76
pp, 4.2MB) : Learn how to get started,
involve the community and vendors, and design
effective recycling stations
- Fact sheet explaining how to involve volunteers in your recycling program: Learn how to include volunteers in your recycling efforts
- Special
Event Best Practices Guide (PDF) (16
pp, 2.1MB) : Tips for event planners on various aspects
of the event planning process
Tip Sheets
- Fact sheet explaining how to involve concessionaires and vendors in your recycling program: Tools both for venues with a permanent recycling infrastructure and special events that require temporary recycling activities
- Fact sheet explaining how to involve volunteers in your recycling program: Learn how to include volunteers in your recycling efforts
- Tips
on rural special event waste management (PDF) (38
pp, 1.4MB, about PDF) from the Northeast
Recycling Council.
Containers, Signs, and Equipment
- The Recycling
Bin Grant Program sponsored by the National
Recycling Coalition and the Coca-Cola Company
offers free recycling bins to government, civic,
school, and nonprofit organizations, and for-profit
companies. Interested parties complete an online
application describing their proposals, justifying
the needs, and specifying the bin types they
are interested in. The grants are awarded on
a competitive basis in the spring and fall.
- Chittenden,
Vermont, Solid Waste District offers free,
on-site technical assistance, containers, and
signs. Contact: Marge
Keough (mkeough@cswd.net), Outreach Coordinator,
802/872-8100 x234.
- Georgia’s
Away From Home Recycling Program awards
special event recycling kits to local governments
and/or solid waste authorities. Contact: Jennifer
Szabo (jszabo@dca.state.ga.us), Program
Coordinator, Georgia Department of Community
Affairs, Office of Environmental Management,
404/679-0567.
- Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, Special Event Recycling Program
loans event organizers recycling containers
and small trailers to store recyclables. Contact:
City of Pittsburgh's Public Works Recycling
Division, 412/255-2631.
Seattle, Washington, Special Event Recycling Program offers free recycling bins, bag liners, gloves
for volunteers, and garbage pickers for sorting
non-recyclables from recyclables at. Contact:
Seattle Public Utilities, 206/615-1700.
- St.
Louis Earth Day , a Missouri-based nonprofit,
provides bins for use at events in St. Louis
County. Contact: Terri
Reilly (tfr@stlouisearthday.org), Executive
Director, St. Louis Earth Day, 314/961-5838.
- Waukesha
County, Wisconsin , offers a free recycling
bin loaner program.
Case Studies
- Bath,
Maine: Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan for
Bath Heritage Days (PDF) (8
pp, 364K) : The Bath Heritage Days Waste
Diversion and Recycling Plan is one component
of the USDA-funded Special Events Recycling
Project being conducted by the Northeast Recycling
Council, Inc.
- Boise City Events Recycling | PDF Version (3 pp, 128K): This introduction to Boise City’s events recycling program highlights program logistics, accomplishments, and difficulties encountered
- Delaware State Fair Recycling Initiative (PDF) (4 pp, 360K): During the state fair’s 2006 pilot program, 252 pounds of plastic, 135 pounds of aluminum, and 7,080 pounds of cardboard were collected
- Lowell, Massachusetts: Lowell Folk Festival Success Story (PDF) (4 pp, 172K): The Folk Festival integrated a recycling program in various stages to ensure success
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: City of Pittsburgh Ordinance for Recycling in Public Places (PDF) (4 pp, 540K): The City of Pittsburgh has made recycling at special events a key component of its overall recycling program, using a combination carrot-and-stick approach to ensure success
- Tunbridge,
Vermont: Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan
for Tunbridge's World Fair (PDF) (8
pp, 256K) :
The purpose of this project is to improve special
event waste reduction and recycling efforts,
particularly in rural communities with populations
of less than 10,000
- Washington, DC: Cherry Blossom Peepers Recycle On the Go: EPA and the National Park Service have joined up to collect recyclables at the National Cherry Blossom Festival
- Washington, DC: National Cherry Blossom Festival (PDF) (2 pp, 108K): For the first time ever, EPA and the National Park Service implemented a pilot recycling program at the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival
- Wisconsin Uses Ordinances and Permits to Promote Recycling in Public Places (PDF) (7 pp, 520K): Wisconsin’s Solid Waste Reduction, Recovery, and Recycling Law requires everyone in the state to recycle, whether at home, at work, or at away-from-home settings like fairs, festivals, sports events, conferences, and meetings
- Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Strikes a Chord with Recycling Success Story (PDF) (4pp, 551K): The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival uses volunteers to collect and sort recyclables.
Sports and Recreation Facilities
- Stadium Recycling Guide: Step-by-step instructions on how to set up a recycling program for your stadium
- Tips
on venue waste reduction from California’s
Integrated Waste Management Board (PDF)
(2pp, 3MB) : Find suggestions that will help you reduce
your waste at large events
- Beyond
Bins: Venue and Event Recycling (PPT) (33pp,
5.1MB, PowerPoint) : An overview of the
waste challenges presented by large events and
how to address them
- Waste
Reduction at Venue Facilities and Large Events : Tools to assist all involved, from the
California Integrated Waste Management Board
- Recycling
at Events: A Guide to Reducing Waste at Any
Event (PDF) (15 pp,
5.4 MB) : A green guide from pre-event
planning to post-event evaluation
- Fact sheet explaining how to involve concessionaires and vendors in your recycling program: Tools both for venues with a permanent recycling infrastructure and special events that require temporary recycling activities
- Wisconsin
Be SMART Coalition: Sporting Venues : Tips
and considerations for recycling at sporting
venues
- Sports
Illustrated Cover Story "Going, Going
Green" : Read about the effect of
global warming on the sports world
Sample Programs
- Honolulu, Hawaii: Pro Bowl 2006: The NFL and six partners including the EPA, teamed up to collect more than 8,000 "HI-5" labeled beverage containers in the parking lot areas of Aloha Stadium during Pro Bowl 2006
- Honolulu, Hawaii: Pro Bowl 2007: For the second year in a row, the EPA and the National Football League are kicking up their recycling efforts at the Pro Bowl
- Indian
Wells, California: Indian Wells Tennis Center
: Video of Indian Wells Tennis Center recycling
program
- Knoxville, Tennessee: University of Tennessee, Neyland Stadium's Recycling Program (PDF) (6 pp, 584K): Neyland Stadium’s recycling program encourages Big Orange fans to toss their empty plastic cups and bottles into designated recycling bins located in the concourses and tailgating areas
- Munich,
Germany: Munich Soccer Stadium : This new
soccer stadium incorporates waste-management
and recycling programs
- San Diego, California: Qualcomm Stadium (PDF) (6 pp, 464K): Qualcomm Stadium’s program currently involves recycling in the following locations: the “bowl” (the seating area within the stadium); concourse; apron/entrance gates; vending areas; bars, restaurants, and luxury suites; parking lots; and administrative offices
- San
Francisco, California: San Francisco Giants/SBC
Park : SBC park is commitment to comprehensive
recycling, water and energy conservation, and
growing use of biodegradable, recycled content
and lower toxicity products
- San Jose, California: HP Pavilion at San Jose/Shark Tank: HP Pavilion at San Jose, together with Waste Management, created an effective recycling program that also includes an impressive composting component
- Seattle, Washington: Seattle Mariners/Safeco Field: The BIRV, a special program of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, works with Seattle Public Utilities and Mariners team officials to plan a comprehensive recycling program and identify practical waste reduction strategies to minimize the generation of waste at the new facility
- State College, Pennsylvania: Beaver Stadium (PDF) (5 pp, 360K): With a 13-year-old recycling program, The Pennsylvania State University’s (Penn State) Beaver Stadium in the past diverted nearly 30 tons of recyclables per year from local landfills. A new initiative to promote recycling in the stadium’s tailgating area has helped Penn State more than triple its old recycling record, collecting 112 tons in 2008. Proceeds from the sale of the recycled materials are donated to the local United Way—more than $54,000 to date.
Transportation Hubs
Airports
Resources
- Developing and Implementing an Airport Recycling Program (PDF) (42 pp, 1.4MB, about PDF): This guide focuses on how to establish an airport recycling program, provides examples of activities that promote source reduction, and the importance of purchasing environmentally friendly products, and includes examples of innovative airport waste reduction programs.
- Discover the ins and outs of setting up an airport recycling program: A guide to setting up a recycling program at your airport
- Airport Waste Assessment Questionnaire (PDF) (1 pg, 52K): Questions to ask yourself about your recycling program
- Typical Recyclables Generated at Airports by Source (PDF) (1 pg, 48K): A chart illustrating what recyclables are generated in different parts of the airport
- How to Start a Recycling Program at Your Airport: A guide for key decision-makers involved in planning and managing airport operations
Sample Programs
- Baltimore, Maryland: Recycling at BWI: Details of the recycling program at BWI, including products recycled and collection methods
- Salt Lake City, Utah: The Salt Lake City Department of Airports: Read about the Salt Lake City Department of Airports’ in-house and public recycling programs
- Seattle, Washington: Sea-Tac Airport (PDF) (2 pp, 92K): Details of the recycling program at Sea-Tac airport that offers recycling in airport offices, terminals and concession areas
Highway Rest Stops
Resources
- Green
Highways Partnership (GHP) : Learn how to
incorporate environmental streamlining and stewardship
into all aspects of the highway lifecycle
Sample Programs
- Wisconsin Brought Recycling to the State’s Highway Rest Areas (PDF) (2 pp, 104K): Travelers can recycling aluminum, plastic, glass and newspaper at Wisconsin’s 32 rest areas
Public Mass Transit
Resources
- Virginia
Clean Marinas : For anyone interested in
the link between clean marinas and clean water
Sample Programs
- Chicago,
Illinois: Chicago Transit Authority has newspaper
recycling bins at 113 of its rail stations
: As a member of the EPA’s WasteWise program,
CTA is involved in a number of recycling initiatives
- Massachusetts
Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) recycling
program : MBTA has installed recycling barrels
throughout the subway and commuter rail system
to provide customers a more convenient and direct
access to a recycling receptacle
