Create a Reduce-Waste Block Party

Green up your neighborhood block party by making it a low- or no-waste event. It just takes a little advanced planning and the City's Sustainability Committee is here to help with some tips to get you rstarted. 

Why? Reduction of trash and food waste and avoidance of single-use plastics will result in less landfill production of greenhouse gases and plastic-related toxicity to our air, land and waters.

How? It’s easy to do with some planning and preparation.  Start with early communication to attendees prior to the event to explain the goal and plans.

  • Ask that each brings their own reusable dishware, utensils, cloth napkins, beverage containers, cloth tablecloths.
  • Provide bulk condiments instead of single packets.
  • Avoid drinks in plastic. Provide water in pitchers or water dispensers, canned drinks.
  • Provide some reusable dishware, utensils, napkins, cups for those who forget to bring their own.

 Prepare a WASTE STATION AREA with well-labeled containers in a central area, with, ideally, a person always present to monitor accurate use of them.  

            Prepare CONTAINERS for:

  1. Glass and plastic bottles, cans to be recycled (ask that several green recycling buckets be brought by residents who live close by to the event and label each with the owner’s name).
  2. Left-over food waste to be composted if some residents have a membership with Rust Belt Riders.  Use this only for food waste, not compostable dishware or napkins. If there is not much food waste--less than a bucket--it is acceptable for members to use RBR to compost this. Line the bucket with BPI certified bag.  If a lot of food, or contamination occurs or no one belongs to RBR, put the food waste into the trash.
  3. Unfinished liquids left in beverage containers—pour these into a bucket, then down a drain. Do not put liquids into trash or compost buckets.
  4. Trash (hopefully not much of this)

Encourage that food is not wasted: Edible uneaten food that needs refrigeration should be put into a cooler or the frig at home to avoid spoilage.

**Skip the Stuff like straws, balloons (use alternative non-plastic decorations)

Additional resources: