Proper planning before your event can help avoid unexpected costs and reduce the amount of time your volunteers or staff spend managing waste. Much of the material generated at an event can be recycled, composted, or avoided. Special events are an ideal forum for promoting recycling and composting by demonstrating that recycling is possible wherever you are.
Why Waste Management for Special Events?
Waste reduction, recycling and composting contributes to reduced greenhouse gases and lessens other negative impacts to the environment, including litter. Having an efficient system in place can also lower the costs associated with waste disposal and attract more event attendees by striving to be a “Green” event.
Most importantly, it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep our municipality green, and we all need to do our part!
Who is Responsible for the Waste Generated at an Event?
Pursuant to Halifax Regional Municipality Solid Waste By-Law S-600, event organizers must have a waste management plan in place, and as an organization, it is an essential tool when you are planning an event.
It is the sole responsibility of the event organizer(s) to provide proper bins for garbage, organics, recyclables, paper and cardboard, as well as collection services for these bins. This may require hiring a commercial collection hauler.
Halifax Regional Municipality does not supply bins or waste collection services for special events.
Do I need a Waste Management Plan for my event?
If you answer yes to one of the following questions, you must complete and submit a Special Event Waste Management Plan to Solid Waste Resource – Special Event:
- Are there food/drink-related catering/booth/vendors at the event?
- Are there other types of booth/vendors at the event?
- Are people allowed to bring food/drink to the event?
- Do I need to hire a waste hauling company for waste collection services for this event?
- Do I need signage for the waste bins?
- Are there public bins on-site?
- Do I anticipate litter during and after the event?
Special Event Waste Management Plan
The Special Event Waste Management Plan helps the organizer(s) and our department ensure you have considered your waste-related needs for your upcoming event.
Completed plan can be submitted by email at wasteless@halifax.ca or by mail at Solid Waste Resources - Special Event, Halifax Regional Municipality, PO Box 1749, Halifax, NS B3J 3A5.
Upon submission, a diversion officer may reach out to review these with you if a revision is necessary.
For more information on Solid Waste in HRM, contact Halifax Solid Waste Resource staff for advice on ‘What Goes Where’ or to assist with signage and suggestions on proper bin placement.