Festival season is in full swing, with people across the country enjoying some fantastic live experiences, but music, beer, and large crowds typically result in a significant amount of waste. Once the fun is over, a massive cleanup operation follows.
For event organisers, effective waste management is crucial to ensure environmental sustainability and reduce cleanup costs so that we can all continue to enjoy festivals for years to come.
Planning and Organisation
Proper planning and organisation are the first steps towards effective festival waste management. Here are some essential tips to help you get started:
Pre-Festival Preparation
Before the festival begins, establish a comprehensive waste management plan. Consider what types of waste will be generated at the event, and how you will separate that waste, such as into cardboard, plastic, cans, and general waste.
Identify areas where waste will be generated and place appropriate waste receptacles at those locations. Plan how frequently you can empty the waste receptacles and where the waste will be removed to.
Train your staff and volunteers on the waste management protocols you will be putting into place. Ensure they know how to sort waste and use compactors and other equipment effectively.
Signage and Information
Clearly label bins and provide information to festival-goers about proper waste disposal. Use visual aids and signs to make it easy for everyone to follow the guidelines.
Unfortunately, there will be plenty of instances of festival-goers just leaving their waste, but proper signage will encourage more people to follow the proper procedure and make waste separation easier.
Utilising Machinery for Efficient Waste Management
While proper preparation and signage make a big difference, these methods alone won’t solve the festival waste problem. The use of recycling machinery takes festival waste management to the next level, reducing the amount of space waste takes up. Machines can be stored in a designated space where waste that has been emptied from the public bins during the festival can be compacted by trained operators.
Our range of portable compactors and wheelie bin presses can significantly reduce labour and disposal costs, offering proactive solutions for handling festival waste efficiently.
Mardon RamPack Portable Compactor Range
These compactors are ideal for general waste. They compress waste efficiently, reducing the volume and frequency of waste removal. This not only saves time but also reduces labour costs.
Mardon RamPack Wheelie Bin Compactor
These presses are perfect for compressing waste in wheelie bins. They are easy to use and can handle a large volume of waste, making them a valuable addition to your waste management strategy.
Specifically designed for cans and plastic bottles, the RamPack 60HD is an excellent choice for festivals where beverages are a significant part of the waste. It compacts these items efficiently, saving space and reducing the number of bins needed, with a bale weight of up to 25kg in aluminium cans or 1500 drink cans.
Benefits of Using Compactors
While compactors and balers do come with an upfront cost, they offer several advantages that help to significantly improve festival waste management:
Space Saving
Compactors reduce the volume of waste, allowing more waste to be stored in the same space before it needs to be taken off-site. This is especially useful in crowded festival areas where space is limited for pre-disposal waste storage.
Cost Efficiency
By reducing the volume of waste, compactors decrease the frequency of waste collection and disposal, leading to lower transportation and labour costs.
Environmental Impact
Efficient waste compaction reduces the environmental footprint of festivals. It minimises the number of waste transport trips, thereby reducing carbon emissions, and the proper sorting of waste types aids the recycling process.
Post-Festival Cleanup
people picking up garbage and putting it in plastic black bag for cleaning
After the festival, an organised cleanup is essential to restore the site to its original state. While there will be plenty of waste to deal with, it is easier to manage once the festival-goers have left. Here’s how to manage the post-festival cleanup effectively:
Segregate Waste
Ensure that waste is segregated into recyclables, compostables, and general waste. This makes disposal and recycling processes more efficient.
Deploy Compactors
Utilise compactors and recycling machinery to handle the large volumes of waste generated. The waste will be converted into compact and manageable bales that can be easily transported off-site for disposal.
Evaluate and Improve
After the cleanup, assess the effectiveness of your waste management plan. Identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments for future festivals.
Effective waste management at festivals is crucial for environmental sustainability and cost efficiency. By implementing a comprehensive waste management plan and utilising Mardon’s machinery, you can significantly reduce the labour and costs associated with waste disposal. Plan ahead, train your staff, and make use of compactors and recycling machinery to ensure your festival remains clean and green.
If you are organising a festival, and wish to discuss your waste management needs, please get in touch.