Yes! A Zero-Waste Public Event Is Possible!
The first ever JamPacked Craft Brewery and Music Festival was held on Brown’s Island in Richmond this past Saturday. It was hosted by WestRock, who is as passionate about sustainability as we are, and committed to making it a Zero-Waste event! It required some planning before, during, and after the event to make it happen, but it’s worth it!
If you were lucky enough to be one of the 3,000 people who were able to purchase a ticket to the sold-out event, you got to see first-hand the efforts that were made to reduce the amount of waste produced at the event by encouraging people to reuse, recycle, and compost instead of being given, then throwing away, single-use containers. But way before the first craft brew was served or the first chord was struck by the opening band, much had already been done behind the scenes to lighten the environmental impact of JamPacked. Here are just some of the ways:
BEFORE:
- Informational signs were made using recycled paper when possible;
- Signs were printed with soy ink (a renewable and natural source instead of petroleum-based inks);
- The volunteer t-shirts were made with fiber thread created from recycled plastic bottles;
- Innovative coolers were specially created with compostable liners to keep the craft beer icy cold and refreshing for festival guests to enjoy.
DURING:
Food scraps were collected to be turned into compost, a natural soil amendment that is earth friendly and plays a vital role in growing thriving and healthy organic crops;- Compostable utensils, plates, containers, and napkins from nope Natural Organic Process Enterprises were used to serve food, so they’ll also be composted instead of going to the landfill;
- Aluminum beer cans were collected at the onsite recycling stations;
- The Green Team volunteers were there to help educate guests on how use the different bins for recycling and composting;
- Pocket ashtrays were distributed to guests to prevent cigarette butts from being littered on the ground;
- A potable drinking water source was on site for guests to refill their water bottles.
AFTER:
- Informational signs will be recycled with other paper and cardboard products;
- Aluminum cans will be taken to a facility to be transformed into new aluminum;
- Cigarette butts that were collected will be recycled;
- Compostable utensils, plates, containers, napkins, and food scraps will be picked up by nope and composted.
We want to thank WestRock, the sponsors, the craft breweries, the vendors, the bands, and all the workers and volunteers who made the festival such a success. We appreciate those who stopped by our booth to pick up some freebies, say hello, or enter to win a cleanup kit.
Our hope is that Zero-Waste events become the new normal. With some conscientious planning, thousands of people can gather, enjoy music, food and beverages, and leave the event space in beautiful condition. Because keeping Virginia beautiful is what we’re all about!
