Scalability Beyond the Bin
Being curious about what happens to trash, recyclables, and compost after an event is the first step towards allowing ourselves to be more innovative in sustainable decision making and vendor selection. Knowledge is power, right? So, after the lights go out and everyone goes home, what happens to all the waste?
I had an in-depth conversation with Jeremy Cunningham from Green Paper Products to help me answer this question. Before we get into the specifics from the interview, let’s define a few different types of materials and waste:
Trash: Any item that is discarded after use and not used again or repurposed. This can include plastics, paper, glass, metal, yard trimmings, food, and more. Even items that can potentially be recycled or composted, but are not properly collected, are considered trash since they are left unable to decompose in a landfill.
Fact: The United States is the top producer of municipal solid waste in the entire world. The US generates about 268 million tons of MSW (municipal solid waste) every single year. Most of that waste (approx. 53%) goes to landfills, while the rest goes to recycling centers, waste-to-energy plants, and composters. Reference: Where Does Our Trash and Garbage Go? | Budget Dumpster
Recyclable: Items that can be reused if recycled properly. However, recyclable items are still not a preferred choice for materials at your event. Just because something can be recycled, does not mean it will be recycled. Recyclable items can be used at events, but more work will be required to partner with various organizations to ensure that your items are truly recycled post-event. Plastic film, Styrofoam, and electronics are just examples of items that most likely require an outside agency to assist with recycling.
Fact: Modern recycling centers were not designed to handle plastic film. Therefore, the saran wrap/plastic wrap around crates, air pillows in packages, bags, and so much more are thrown away after reaching a recycling center. Reference: Ridwell - what is plastic film
Biodegradable: Items made from organic matter are biodegradable, like banana peels, newspaper and even special biodegradable plastic called “PLA.” Polylactic acid (PLA) is a resin derived from renewable resources like sugar cane or cornstarch. While “biodegradable” is much better than virgin plastic or nondegradable waste, items in landfills do not typically biodegrade. For items to decompose, they need access to sunlight and oxygen, which is often impossible in a dense landfill.
Fact: Landfills not only take up space, but they greatly contribute towards greenhouse gas emissions. When decomposition occurs, carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane gas leak into the atmosphere. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas over 30 times more dangerous than Co2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere. Reference: Basic Information about Landfill Gas | Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) | US EPA
Fact: The largest landfill is 2,200-acres and located in Las Vegas, Navada, USA. It receives 9,000 tons of waste every day. Makes you wonder— if a few modifications were made by suppliers, how much of that could be avoided? Reference: Largest Landfills, Waste Sites, And Trash Dumps In The World - WorldAtlas
Compostable: Biodegradable organic matter that can be composted in a commercial composting facility (or home) and turned into compost (aka. nutrient rich soil). Work with all vendors to ensure that all items are compostable and being properly collected and composted at a composting facility. Reference: www.findacomposter.com.
To provide compostable materials for events, meetings, and households, Green Paper Products has worked tirelessly to research the needs of homeowners and event professionals. They have designed products that are highly functional, aesthetically appealing, affordable, and friendly to the planet.
See the full interview and I have included my favorite points from the chat:
Almost 400 million paper cups are used each day that end up in a landfill. Most cups are lined with petroleum, therefore, unable to be recycled or composted.
8% of the world’s current oil production is used to produce plastics. By 2050, the making of plastic will make up 15% of greenhouse gas emissions, which is currently the same as all the world’s emissions emitted from transportation today.
The vast benefits of using compostable products include soil enrichment, cleans contaminated soil over time, prevents pollution, offers economic benefits, and contributes towards a healthier planet immediately.
Action items: only work with eco-friendly vendors like Green Paper Products, check your labels, closely work with waste management, and find nearby composters to help collect and compost your post-event items.
Check out the full interview here: Green Paper Products - January 22, 2021 - YouTube
If you want to learn more, visit the Green Paper Products FAQ and reach out with questions. As Jeremy mentioned, they work closely with customers on specific orders and requests as well. Sounds like the perfect type of vendor to me!
Let’s keep working to protect and cleanup the planet – one event and experience at a time!
