Appendix 5 – Waste Management Plan
Creating a Waste Management Plan
Moreland City Council Waste Wise program - 7 steps to an effective plan.
Step 1: Commitment - Make a commitment to avoiding and reducing waste
at your event.
Step 2: Packaging - Eliminate unnecessary packaging. Select materials that
reduce waste and litter or are easily recycled.
Step 3: Equipment - Match equipment to the packaging material used.
Step 4: System - Match a management system to the equipment and
packaging used.
Step 5: Standards - Where appropriate, use standard signs and equipment
to reduce confusion. (See link below)
Step 6: Communicate - Tell caterers, vendors and participants about your
program before, during and after the event.
Step 7: Evaluate - How effective has your waste wise program been?
This Waste Wise information kit will assist you to promote and implement a
good recycling and waste reduction system that includes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Waste Wise checklist
Avoiding waste and litter
Explaining the benefits of waste minimisation to patrons
Controlling packaging so that waste diversion from landfill is
maximised
5. Additional services and support
6. Evaluation of activities
The waste hierarchy helps to identify the priorities. This is a good basis to
plan from
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Reduce - Identify where you can eliminate waste
Reuse – Identify where reusable items could be used instead of
disposable or single use items
Recycle – Set up systems, which allow participants and visitors to be
able to recycle effectively and chose packaging and materials that can
be recycled via Council’s recycling service
1. Waste Wise Checklist
PLANNING
Write Waste Wise Plan (incorporating bin placement sites)
Set achievable goals
Delegate roles and responsibilities to members of your event
team
Incorporate Waste Wise Plan into overall sustainability plan and
event plan
Action
GAINING COMMITMENT - Communicate Waste Wise aims to:
Council Waste Services Contractors
Event Site Owners Other Service Contractors
Sponsors Attendees
Stallholders/Vendors Other Stakeholders
Action
PROMOTION
Add Waste Wise message to media releases, programs, tickets,
etc
Issue media releases and advertising material
Use all possible avenues available to promote event as being
Waste Wise
Obtain endorsement of a well-known identity
Action
DEALING WITH STALLHOLDERS AND CONTRACTORS
Determine what types of materials will be used or sold, and in
what quantities
Have stallholders and contractors sign an agreement/contract
specifying Waste Wise requirements
Give clear information on materials permitted
Inform stallholders and contractors of what is expected and why
Consult with waste collection contractor (Council)
Comply with existing Council policies
Action
MINIMISING PACKAGING
Investigate suitability of using Wash Against Waste service to
reduce disposable cups, plates, stirrers etc
Specify acceptable and unacceptable materials in stallholder
agreements/contracts
Arrange Waste Wise supervision of stallholders during event
Consult with stallholders; allow enough lead-time for them to
prepare for being Waste Wise
Action
PLANNING BIN STATIONS
Action
Decide what types of bin stations are needed. Arrange back-ofhouse (behind the scenes) garbage and recycling systems
Develop bin placement plan as part of overall site plan. Develop
strategies for special types of waste (cigarettes, nappies, etc)
Allocate roles to team
2. Waste Wise commitment – Your commitment to manage the waste
generated from your event and getting the support of your partners is a key
step to being Waste Wise.
Gain a verbal commitment from those involved with the event through
phone calls and meetings or preferably a written commitment, letting
everyone know what will be happening, what systems will be in place and
their part in the process.
Groups involved may include:
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Moreland City Council
Contractors and suppliers of equipment and goods
Stallholders and vendors
Performers and artists
3. Avoiding Waste and Litter - Understanding littering behaviour: Clean =
Clean
Having a better understanding of littering behaviour helps to develop more
effective litter prevention programs. Research conducted by Community
Change1 into littering behaviour has found that when people walk into an area
they decide within the first 30 seconds how they will behave in that area.
Therefore, when somebody enters an area that is already littered, they will
feel more inclined to litter during their time there. However, if a person is met
with a clean area they will feel uncomfortable littering there as nobody else is,
therefore littering is not acceptable behaviour.
To Do:
 Place a recycling bin at entrances, this makes visitors aware that this is
an event where recycling is encouraged and expected.
 Ensure that there are enough bins (Council can offer advice on how
many will be required based on site layout, activities and expected
attendance)
 Place bins where rubbish accumulates (provide event site map and
discuss with Council staff if unsure)
 Empty/replace bins when they are full. (Maintain a good presentation of
the bin stations – keep area clean and tidy)
1
Community Change 2001 Measuring environmentally desirable behaviour BIEC published
Littering Behaviour Study III
Further points to consider when positioning Bin Stations:
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Use colour, signage and shape to make sure the recycling bin is
distinguishable from the rubbish bin. Use of bin caps will facilitate this.
Ask Council how you can obtain these when booking your bins.
Place bins side-by-side, not back-to-back, to avoid confusing people
who will approach the bin nearest to them.
Consider the direction from which the bins are approached.
Provide for safe disposal of cigarette butts within or beside the rubbish
bin.
4. Explaining the benefits of waste reduction to patrons
Since the introduction of the kerbside recycling collection service, resource
recovery and material separation have become a normal part of daily life for
Moreland residents and the wider community.
Most people want to recycle as it is recognised as an easy way to reduce their
carbon footprint and lessen their impact on the planet. The success of
kerbside recycling means that many community members now expect to be
able to recycle outside the home; at events, shopping centres and parks. The
use of bin caps and recycling bins will send a positive message to your
visitors and participants that you are serious about waste management.
Take the opportunity to communicate your efforts by doing the following:
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Write a media release and issue to local media
Arrange for signage (translations if necessary)
Script announcements for PA or Master of Ceremonies
Include waste minimisation initiatives in advertising feature of event
Arrange for Council, community groups, or Metropolitan Waste
Management Group stalls to promote recycling at event
5. Controlling packaging so that waste diversion from landfill is
maximised
Reducing waste at events not only conserves resources but also offers an
opportunity to reduce running costs. Working with vendors to eliminate
commonly littered items and non-recyclables can result in an event that is
cleaner and therefore more enjoyable for patrons.
You should aim to have a written stallholder/vendor agreement, which
includes the Waste Wise requirements of the event as specified by you, the
Event Organiser. The Stallholder/Vendor agrees to:
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Use approved materials as specified by the Event Organiser; this may
include but is not limited to food and beverage containers, packaging
for goods used, and materials used in producing food and other wares,
(see below for a list of items that you should aim to eliminate).
Use correct bins and/or waste skips for recycling and waste disposal
(this will involve identifying the waste streams being collected at the
event)
Use only bins designated for use by stallholders/vendors (not bins
designated for use by visitors)
Not leave waste beside bins or in any other place that will create litter.
The table below is a guide only and there may well be many other products
present at your event, which could be avoided. It is up to you to consider what
they might be eliminate them or offer more manageable alternatives. Many
events have proven that it is possible. The key is to ensure that everyone is
doing the same thing and that you communicate what is expected. Visit
www.slf.org.au/eventsplanner/directory for a list of local packaging suppliers and
for other useful resources and products.
Present item
Plastic plates
Action
Eliminate
Plastic cutlery
Eliminate
Polystyrene drinking
cups
Eliminate
Wax lined coffee cups
Eliminate
Stirring stick plastic
Eliminate
Coffee cup lids
Eliminate
Promotional
giveaways (balloons,
stickers, and other
items)
Plastic straws
Eliminate
Single serve
condiments (tomato
sauce etc.)
Plastic carrier bags
Eliminate
Wax cardboard boxes
Eliminate
Eliminate
Eliminate
Option 1
Wash Against
Waste service
(reusable item)
Wash Against
Waste service
(reusable item)
Wash Against
Waste service
(reusable item)
Wash Against
Waste service
(reusable item)
Wash Against
Waste service
(reusable item)
Use only when
requested
Do not allow
giveaways
Option 2
Paper Plates or Biodegradable
alternatives
Replace with natural fibres such
as wood or cornstarch.
Replace with natural fibre
products – un-waxed paper cups,
PLA cups or other materials (PLA
is not suitable for hot drinks).
Replace with non-waxed versions
which are commonly available
Wooden sticks or provide several
teaspoons, which can be reused.
Natural fibre products only
Replace with
paper straws
Replace with bulk
dispensers
Use only when requested
Encourage patrons
to bring a bag
Non-waxed boxes
Ask vendors to supply reusable
or biodegradable carrier bags
6. Additional services – Provided by Moreland Council
For events where bin delivery and collection is carried out during normal
working hours i.e. Monday to Friday and no additional services are required
during the event, then Council will provide the delivery and collection of bins
and caps for FREE.
Council can provide additional services such as emptying of bins during the
event and hire of the street sweeper and other waste management services to
event organisers at a cost ranging from $225 for small events to $425 for
large events.
Additional services – Not provided by Moreland Council
Since the State Government funded Waste Wise program ceased in June
2009 you are now able to access many of the tools to assist in planning and
auditing your waste practices through the Sustainable Events Planner online
website. www.slf.org.au/eventplanner/guide/actiontools
A Wash Against Waste trailer can be hired for events at a cost of $250 for
community groups and $350 for Councils. The trailer comes equipped with
crockery, cutlery, urns, buckets, wash tubs, aprons and tea towels for use at
events where an objective of eliminating or reducing disposables has been
agreed upon by vendors. The trailer provides everything necessary for the
service of food and drinks and has been successfully used at many events.
The event organisers however, must provide the volunteers to do the washing
up! Further information about how to book and operate the WAW trailer can
be found through SLF at 9249 1888 or www.slf.org.au/waw
Environmental Performers can also help to reinforce messages relating to
waste minimisation and littering. Characters with a focus on litter issues and
correct waste disposal behaviour can assist in providing waste education at
public events in a fun, colourful and engaging manner.
www.ourplanet.com.au or www.voxbandicoot.com.au
7.Evaluating your activities and providing Council with feedback
On the day the waste system must be promoted to patrons through signage,
activities and/or public announcements. Environmental performers can help
to educate patrons about recycling and litter. At the close of the event a visual
inspection of the bins is undertaken to obtain data for post promotion and
continuous improvement. This information forms part of your post event
evaluation report, which must be submitted to Moreland City Council.
Information required is straightforward and consists of the following:
Recycling Bins
Number of Full Recycling bins
Estimate amount of Contamination %
Number of Part full Recycling bins estimate
amount Full (list details for each bin)
Details
Estimate amount of Contamination %
Waste Bins
Number of Full Waste bins
Estimate amount of Contamination %
Number of Part full Waste bins estimate
amount full (list details for each bin)
Estimate amount of Contamination %
Details
Setting up a simple template as shown below will make gathering this
information easier.
Example - Waste Management Record (with
organic collection stream included)
Recycling %
Contamination
Waste % Full
Waste %
Contamination
Organic % Full
Organic %
Contamination
Recycling % Full
Bin Station 1 –
Entrance gate
Set Up 9.00am Empty
End of event Total
Bin Station 2 –
Food Area
Set Up 9.00am Empty
End of event Total
Bin Station 3 –
Children’s Area
Set Up 9.00am Empty
End of event Total
Zero
Empty
Zero
Empty
Zero
Zero
Empty
Zero
Empty
Zero
Zero
Empty
Zero
Empty
Zero