Zero Waste SA guidelines for managing waste at events and venues

8
STEP 1.
THE WASTE
MANAGEMENT PLAN
STEP
1.1 GET STARTED
A waste management plan is a simple and
effective means to minimising waste generation
at an event or fixed venue. The process can
bring together all the necessary information
for establishing a coordinated approach to
waste management including planning, doing,
checking and taking corrective action, when
and where necessary.
A WMP can be as detailed as necessary. You might
need only four actions to reduce waste; you might
need many more. Keep things clear and concise so
that everyone who needs to, can understand each
action and implement it.
The first step is to list everyone who will impact on
waste reduction:
> event organising committee
> venue management team
> vendors (including food and drink vendors)
> event or venue service providers (businesses
supplying fencing, portable toilets, power supply)
> waste management providers (including cleaning
and waste contractors)
> event or venue support staff
> site owners.
They must all be committed to implementing waste
minimisation measures so talk to them and get their
input on their area of impact and expertise. Include
them as much as possible in the development of the
WMP. Some might make their best contribution as
members of your waste management committee,
which could be formed to develop the WMP and
oversee its delivery.
A good WMP is easy to understand and has clear
responsibilities assigned with timeframes for
completing actions. It will help everyone focus on their
part in achieving success. The blank WMP template
(Attachment A, p27) can be modified for your event’s
specific needs. Attachment B (p29) has a simple WMP
for an example event. But before you can fill yours in
you need to do some homework.
1.2 IDENTIFY BARRIERS AND DRIVERS
TO CHANGE – SWOT ANALYSIS
Identify and record the reasons why you want to
improve waste management at your event or
venue, and issues that might prevent or obstruct
your waste management efforts (see the table
below for common examples).
Common drivers and barriers to waste management success
DRIVERS
• Customers are requesting ‘green’ options for their events or functions
• Event or venue management is now more environmentally aware
and wants environmental improvement
• Attracting ‘green’ customers could give you a competitive advantage
• Improvements can be used for positive marketing
• Y ou need to meet contract clauses or policies for increasing reuse
and recycling of waste
BARRIERS
• Time poor
• Cost prohibitive
• Space for extra bins is an issue
• Management doesn’t
support waste management
improvements
• Customers are not demanding
‘green’ options