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Eco-Cycle's Zero Waste Event Kit

Our new Zero Waste Event kit is perfect for smaller events like:

Business Functions & Meetings
Birthday Parties
Weddings & Family Reunions
Cocktail Parties
Picnics & Barbeques
Neighborhood Block Parties

> What is a Zero Waste event?

> What is the Zero Waste Event Kit

> Order your Zero Waste Event Kit

> Step by Step Ordering Details

> Other Event Services

What is a Zero Waste event?

Zero Waste events are a great way to not only show your commitment to the environment, but also create a living model of Zero Waste for your guests.

The key to a Zero Waste event is careful planning so that all materials used and disposed of are reusable, recyclable or compostable. By thinking ahead of time about all the materials your guests will be using and disposing of, it's quite easy to plan waste out of the event. Use reusables whenever you can, but when that's not practical, the kit provides you with compostable tableware and cutlery, as well as a compost collection container and educational signage to use throughout your party. There's no need for a trash can! When the event is over, you and your guests will feel good knowing that the festivities didn't come at a cost to the environment.

What is the Zero Waste Event Kit?

Eco-Cycle's Zero Waste Event Kit provides everything you need to make your gathering Zero Waste. Simply place your order online, choosing the number and types of materials you'll need for your party, pick up your materials at Eco-Cycle's CHaRM, host your successful event, and deliver your compostable materials back to the CHaRM and recycle your recyclables at your curb or the nearest drop-off center.

The kit includes:

Compostable tableware made from plant starches instead of plastic, such as plates, utensils, cups, napkins, etc., depending on your order.
A cardboard compost collection box for collecting compostable tableware and food waste.
A compostable liner bag for the cardboard compostables collection container.
Guidelines to post on your household compost bin and recyclables bin.
Table signs for tables or other appropriate areas, letting your guests know how to participate in your Zero Waste event.

**We do not ship kits. After use, food scraps and all items from the kit must be returned to the CHaRM where they will be transported to an industrial composting facility. Please do not throw these items in the trash. Read more about the negative effects of landfilling biodegradable and/or compostable items.**

Step by Step Ordering

Following these simple steps, Eco-Cycle's Zero Waste Event Kit allows you to effortlessly host a Zero Waste event.

Step 1: Invite Your Guests

Let them know you are hosting a Zero Waste event. Here some suggested sample text you can include on invitations:

I'm working with Eco-Cycle to make this a Zero Waste event. Please support my efforts by not bringing non-recyclable materials to this event. To learn more about ways to support my Zero Waste event or to learn more about Zero Waste, go to www.ecocycle.org.

Step 2: Assess Your Event Needs

Take an inventory of the foods and drinks you will be serving, numbers of guests and what tableware your event will require.

Products available in the Zero Waste Event Kit:

1. Compostable Tableware

All products available in the kit are made from recycled paper, plant starch, or sugarcane and are fully compostable. You determine the amount, size and type of tableware you need, depending on the size of your event and the food and/or beverages you plan to serve. Compostable products are available in multiples of 25.

Tip: Consider whether you really need tableware:

Reusables don't create any waste. If you don't have enough, ask guests to bring their own or rent from local suppliers.

Serve finger foods and utilize bread bowls and ice cream cones to avoid the need for tableware.

2. Compostables Collection Container

Your compostables collection container consists of a sturdy cardboard box and a compostable liner bag. The front panel of the container features easy-to-understand composting guidelines for you and your guests to follow. All leftover food (including meat, bones and dairy), food-soiled paper and the compostable tableware that comes with your kit goes straight into the box.

3. Educational Signage

Make sure your guests know they have entered a "Zero Waste Zone!"

Table signs: These attractive paper signs can be placed on surfaces in high-traffic areas such as the entryway of your event or on dining tables to announce your Zero Waste commitment.

Compost sign: This easy-to-follow guidelines sign comes affixed to your cardboard compost bin and includes pictures of the compostable products since many guests will mistake these items for recyclables, rather than compostables. A similar sign is affixed to the top flap of the box. Spanish guidelines are available as well.

Commingled container sign: We suggest you use your household recycling container or reserve collapsible recycling bins to collect bottles and cans for recycling at your event. We provide signs to make your container visible and to make the guidelines simple for guests. This sign can be affixed to the front of your bin during the event, and recycled or composted (if soiled) when the event is over. This sign is available in English and Spanish.

Step 3: Place your order

Please allow three full business days for Eco-Cycle to fulfill your order.

Step 4: Pick up your kit

You will receive email confirmation that your order is ready to pick up at the CHaRM between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday - Saturday.

**We do not ship kits.**

Step 5: Host your wildly successful and popular Zero Waste event

Make sure to remove trash cans from your event, since you've made them obsolete. Let guests know you're hosting a Zero Waste event and help them participate.

Step 6: Recycle and compost your materials

After your event, bring your compostables collection container to the Eco-Cycle CHaRM during business hours and deposit your compostable liner bag directly into the "compostables" bin. If it is wet or food-soiled, your cardboard compostables collection container can also be composted. If not soiled, it can be saved and reused at a future event or recycled as corrugated cardboard.

Your compostable materials will be delivered to a local composting facility, where they will become a nutrient-rich soil amendment.

Note: All compostable products in the kit are designed to be broken down in a commercial composting environment. While they will break down in a backyard compost pile, they will take a very long time. Commercial composting facilities function much like a backyard pile, but due to the increased size of and heat inside these compost piles, the compostable tableware will break down in 30-60 days. The increased heat also allows commercial compost facilities to accept the meat, bone and dairy that should not be included in backyard compost piles. We recommend you bring compostables to the CHaRM for composting in a local commercial facility.

Depending on the amount of commingled containers you collect, you may either set them out with your regular curbside collection, or take larger amounts with you to be recycled at the CHaRM.

Other Event Services

Not sure if our Zero Waste Event Kit is right for you? Eco-Cycle offers a variety of Zero Waste Event Services for everything from backyard barbeques and workplace meetings to large street festivals. Check out our service offerings and find what works for you.