Written by Kirsty Smyth, Zero Waste Program Manager
Trade show-style events are notorious for generating landfill waste. Think freebies, samples, and lots of packaging.
But showcasing businesses and opportunities doesn’t have to go hand in hand with negative environmental impacts.
This June, Tourism Whistler partnered with AWARE to minimize landfill waste at the Inside Scoop. Through a few simple steps and a willingness to challenge the status quo, the event achieved an impressive 98% waste diversion rate. This means that only 2% of the event’s waste went to landfill, while the remaining 98% was recycled or composted.
A “zero waste” event is generally considered to have a waste diversion rate of more than 90%. By exceeding this benchmark, Tourism Whistler demonstrated environmental leadership and helped pave the way for other trade show-style events, both locally and beyond, to significantly reduce their environmental impact.
What is the Inside Scoop?
The Inside Scoop is a trade show-style event hosted by Tourism Whistler at least once a year. Now in its 16th year, it showcases Whistler’s eateries, experiences, products, and services.
As a mountain resort, Whistler welcomes a high turnover of residents and employees each season. The Inside Scoop gives hundreds of locals, both newcomers and long-time residents, the opportunity to discover everything the community has to offer.
How did we work together?
Creating a zero waste event starts long before event day. One of the biggest factors influencing waste diversion is controlling what comes into the venue, particularly serviceware and packaging.
AWARE developed guidance for Inside Scoop vendors, outlining recommended serviceware and highlighting items prohibited under BC’s Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation.
Although many food containers can technically be recycled if they are clean, it is rarely practical to rinse containers at busy events. Compostable serviceware is often a better solution, but only if it is accepted by local industrial composting facilities.
To help vendors make the right choices, AWARE provided clear guidance on which products are accepted locally. Serviceware displaying the BPI Certified Compostable logo was recommended, as it is accepted by local composting facilities.
On event day, AWARE staffed a central waste station to help attendees correctly sort their waste. This not only contributed to the event’s exceptional diversion rate but also gave attendees practical knowledge they could apply when sorting waste at home.
Tourism Whistler also asked vendors not to place individual waste bins at their booths. Booth bins rarely separate waste streams effectively and often result in contamination, causing recyclable or compostable materials to be sent to landfill. Instead, centralized and manned waste stations make it easier for attendees to dispose of materials correctly helping to maximize diversion.
By planning ahead and challenging conventional event practices, Tourism Whistler demonstrated how relatively small operational changes can have a significant environmental impact.
Zero Waste Heroes
Zero Waste Heroes is AWARE’s professional event waste management service for the Sea to Sky region. We partner with event organizers to reduce waste from the earliest planning stages through to event delivery and post-event reporting.
Whether you’re organizing a conference, festival, trade show, or community event, we work with event organizers to develop a waste management plan that fits your goals, event size, and budget.
If you are planning an event in the Sea to Sky region, we would love to help you on your zero waste journey. Find out more here.
