Events

Make a zero waste plan

Before the Event:

• Sign up for service with a waste hauler. Landfill and compost service must be provided by the franchise hauler, Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC). Recycle service can be provided through WMAC or a different company. See Open Market Recycle Service Providers.
• Throughout the event footprint, provide waste stations for attendees with compost/recycle/landfill in triad. Ensure they are properly colored and labeled: green/compost, blue/recycle, and gray or black/landfill.
• Print premade waste station signage or make your own.
• Contract with an event greening company (see list) or train your volunteers in proper sorting and waste station monitoring. 
• Notify vendors that they must sort waste generated within their booths. Events may provide compost/recycle/landfill containers with required colors/labels for booths, or vendors may bring their own.
• Choose reusable foodware, utensils, and table coverings. Reusable beverage cups will be required for events with more than 500 attendees starting July 1, 2025. Learn more about the requirements here.
• If using compostable foodware, choose BPI-certified compostable fiber-based products. “Compostable” plastics or “bioplastics” are not allowed.  
• Contact food recovery organizations to set up donation of surplus edible food.
• Work with waste haulers to ensure you order sufficient trash, recycling, and compost service for your event.
• Consider using hydration stations where guests can refill their water bottles to cut down on single-use waste.

At the Event:

• Remind vendors to flatten all boxes to avoid overfilling recycle bins.
• Make announcements to guests to remind them how to properly compost, recycle, and landfill their waste. 
• Monitor your waste stations to ensure materials are ending up in the correct container and that containers are not overflowing. 

After the Event:

• Ensure recyclables are tossed loose (unbagged) into the recycle bin: plastic bags are a prohibited contaminant and jam recycling machinery.
• Ensure compostables are tossed loose (unbagged) into the compost bin or in untied, clear plastic bags only.   
• Donate leftover edible food.

Are you planning an event at a rented City-owned facility?

Download the City of Oakland Facilities Rental brochure for requirements.