055: Becky Migas - Pro Tips for Epic Zero Waste Events

It's summertime and that means outdoor festivals, food and fun... and more often than not, a ton of waste!

Tune in to this episode to hear from long-time event coordinator, Becky Migas of B Green Events about how to plan and execute epic zero waste events!

Don't freak out...

Your first step is to try it. Learn and do better next time!

Zero Waste Tips from Becky Migas, B Green Events

Becky has years of experience in event coordination, working with the 80/35 Music Festival and a historic theater in Des Moines, Iowa. In 2014, Becky moved to Denver and began working with an event coordination company, helping with hundreds of events each year across the country. 

Seeing the amount of waste generated by events was so unsettling, Becky decided to make a change. She started her own company, B Green Events, to help people hold events that were good for people and for the planet. 

One issue is that people during events are so distracted, the last thing on their minds are what to do with your trash. Some events now use "bioplastics", that is, plastic materials that are made from corn, sugarcane or other plant. Because bioplastic cups and forks look and feel like plastic, people often think they can't be compostable. If they can be composted, it will say "compostable" on the cup. 

Sometimes the compost Becky says, "I'm the party planner that's a party pooper, some days."

One of the big mistakes is waiting until the end of the event. If you just come in at the end, many of the important decisions will already have been made. 

"A lot of people come in two days before their event and want to divert their waste. It tends to be an afterthought, rather than forethought," said Becky.

You can have the biggest impact through decisions made in the planning stage. The first thing is to work with food vendors. Ensure that all vendors are using compostable-compliant materials. Confirm that they are certified by Biodegradable Products Institute and Manufacturers Compost Alliance. Don't get caught by greenwashing. Ensure that the products you choose can actually break down in industrial composting facilities.

Water bottles are another big source of waste. Look at alternatives such as water stations with compostable cups. 

With other beverages, again, look at compostable cups or using cans instead. 

Composting is still a single-use approach, so it's better to eliminate the products entirely wherever possible. 

How do you handle pushback when you recommend that people stop selling water bottles, that might be a good moneymaker? 

Yes, we need to incorporate event sustainability, in the same way that we now have Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). 

There are companies out there that want to support events that are sustainable. So, even if there is an additional cost, it may be offset because a sustainable festival can attract more sponsors. It can also create savings streams when you can reuse things year to year. 

Other ideas from Joan from Youth of the Earth Festival:

Purchase used t-shirts from the thrift store Purchase reusable water bottles from the thrift store Coordinated with Boulder Food Rescue to use rescued food, served on real plates

What is the price difference going to compostable products compared to the ubiquitous "red plastic cups"? 

The prices are coming down as compostable products are now starting to be available in grocery stores, Costco, and directly from suppliers such as Eco-Products or World-Centric.

In addition to sponsors, you can also look at grants, such as:

Can'd Aid, Oskar Blues Foundation S