Is it spring yet? These 60- and 70-degree days have us thinking about warmer weather, and everyone knows Cleveland comes alive in the spring and summer months with plenty of events every night of the week. As you begin to plan your social calendar and summer get-togethers, we encourage you to be conscious of the waste generated at your event and consider taking measures to reduce this waste.

Why does it matter? The average person generates about 4.3 pounds of waste per day. In 2014, approximately 258 million tons of municipal solid waste was generated in the United States and of that amount, 136 million tons were landfilled. Municipal solid waste landfills are a top source of human-related methane emissions in the United States. With such alarming numbers, our waste can no longer be “out of sight, out of mind” once it hits the trash can. In a few simple words, my 7-year old nephew explained why he recycles and why he gave up single-use straws for his New Year’s Resolution: “It’s bad for the earth, and I don’t want to live next to a landfill.” Well said, in my opinion.

At the 2009 Sustainable Cleveland Summit, waste-conscious professionals and citizens in Northeast Ohio noticed the need for a group that focuses on waste reduction education. This simple idea evolved into the formation of ZeroWasteNEO, a working group that provides education and resources to assist with achieving zero and reduced waste goals. To help make your next event zero or reduced waste, ZeroWasteNEO is hosting a Zero Waste Event Planning Workshop on Tuesday, March 28th from 2:00pm – 4:30pm at the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District office in Garfield Heights. Zero waste doesn’t discriminate; whether you’re planning a wedding, dinner party, sports party, community event, or large conference, every event can be a zero or reduced waste event.  The workshop is FREE and open to the public. If you’d like to attend, please register here.

Can’t attend the workshop? Check out ZeroWasteNEO’s Zero Waste Event Planning Guide, which will be upgraded with even more helpful tips and resources for 2017. The 2017 Zero Waste Event Planning Guide will be available at the Workshop.

For zero waste inspiration, add these upcoming zero waste and reduced waste events to your social calendar this summer:

• Earth Day Coalition’s EarthFest celebration
• Drink Local Drink Tap’s 4 Miles 4 Water
• ciCLEvia Open Streets Events
• Larchmere Porchfest
• Night Market Cleveland
• Rock the Block Community Run
• Potluck in the Park

Want to learn more?

Check out this video:  Sustainable Cleveland: Transforming Waste into Wealth.

Become a member of ZeroWasteNEO by contacting Kristin at [email protected] or sign-up to be a Zero Waste Volunteer at one of the upcoming events listed above.

Apply for the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District’s Master Recycler Program, which offers participants an in-depth study of solid waste management including waste reduction, composting and recycling. Check out their calendar for additional upcoming events.