Community Event Waste Management

California State Laws AB 2176 and SB 1383 require large events and venues to plan for convenient recycling and organics collections, recover any excess edible food for donation, and report information upon request to their local jurisdiction.

Large Events and Venues

Large Event: Large event means an event that charges an admission price, or is operated by a local agency, and serves an average of more than 2,000 individuals per day, including, but not limited to, a public, nonprofit, or privately owned park, parking lot, golf course, street system, or other open space when being used for an event, including, but not limited to, a sporting event or a flea market.

Large Venues: A large venue means a permanent venue or facility that annually seats or serves an average of more than 2,000 individuals within the facility's grounds per day of operation.

Planning for Waste Prevention and Materials Handling at Your Event

  • Recycling, organics, and landfill services from a permitted hauler are mandatory. Include waste prevention practices and materials handling in your planning process.
  • Provide waste stations in convenient locations for recycling, organics, and landfill separation by event employees, vendors, and attendees. No standalone containers.
  • All containers set up throughout the event for attendees to use, and all final collection containers (i.e., dumpsters, roll-offs, etc., must be clearly labeled and include images or text listing acceptable items.

 

Tips for Success

  • Use transparent liners for recycling and organics to quickly identify the material and assess for contamination.
  • Train staff and vendors on all requirements and advise them not to move containers.
  • Require food vendors to provide bulk condiments for attendees to use to reduce single-use packaging material. 
  • Confirm with your contracted hauler what items are accepted for collection, if bags are allowed, and other best practices.

 

Mandatory Food Donation After Your Event

A lot of food is brought in, cooked, and sold at community events, and often a lot of food is wasted. This may include your food vendors, community groups, and on-site facilities. Food can easily be recovered and donated to feed hungry people.  

Please see the City’s list of local Food Recovery Organizations and Services(PDF, 1MB) . Contact a vendor and plan to donate food from your event. Many of these organizations provide food recovery services for free.

 

 

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