Waste Management for Special Events

Most public events require some form of trash collection, so whether planning a sporting event, festival, or other gathering, please remember to provide an adequate system for collecting and removing garbage and recyclables.

If you are coordinating an event that will be open to the public, the Loudoun County Division of Waste Management encourages you to consider the following planning tips:

Planning Tips

• Did you know that Loudoun County has a litter prevention and control ordinance?

  According to Section 1088.09 of the Loudoun County Codified Ordinances, Litter Receptacles at Places Frequented by the Public (a) Receptacles Required: "Every owner, occupant, tenant, or lessee in control of any property that is held out to the public as a place of assemblage, for the transaction of business or recreation, or as a public way shall provide adequate receptacles of sufficient number and size to contain all litter generated by those persons frequenting that public place." The ordinance also states that at least one receptacle, no less than ten gallons in capacity, be placed at each site.

 
The Loudoun County Division of Waste Management can help you obtain recycling bins for your special event.

• How many vendors are expected?

  Depending on the size of the venue, vendors may have a considerable amount of cardboard to dispose and should be contacted prior to the event to determine if a cardboard recycling dumpster is necessary. If cardboard is going to be collected for recycling, the dumpster should be located conveniently near the vending area.

• Will food or beverages be served?

  If food and beverages are going to be served, then litter receptacles and possibly recycling bins will be necessary. Consider requiring vendors to serve beverages in plastic bottles or aluminum cans so that they may be recycled. Neither paper cups nor plastic cups are recycled locally in Loudoun County, so their use should be discouraged. In addition, contact any food vendors planning to use deep-fryers to ensure they understand how to properly dispose of waste grease. Valley Proteins, Inc. (1-800-DEAD-COW) provides grease collection services. Grease should not be mixed with other solid waste or recyclables, and should not be poured in stormwater drains or on the ground.

• How many litter receptacles and recycling bins will be needed?

  Anticipating crowd size will help determine the number of litter receptacles and recycling bins that will be needed and how frequently they will need to be emptied. Placing a recycling bin next to each trash bin will reduce the number of times the trash will be emptied because it increases the collection capacity. Some events employ small teams to monitor and collect trash and recyclables throughout the course of the program.

• Who will provide litter receptacles and recycling bins?

  If permanent litter receptacles and recycling bins are not already on site, you may purchase portable units or your waste collector may provide them as part of their collection service for the event. The Loudoun County Division of Waste Management has 35-gallon portable recycling bins for loan on a first-come, first-serve basis. The recycling bins may be picked up at our Leesburg office location. Call 703-777-0187 to reserve the bins and for directions, and visit www.clearstreamrecycler.com to see a sample recycling bin.

• Where should litter receptacles and recycling bins be placed?

  Litter receptacles and recycling bins should be placed in convenient areas including the main concourse, near food and beverage vendors, near restrooms, and at entry and exit points. Use durable plastic bags to prevent leaks. Clear bags should be used for recycling, and black bags for trash. A recycling bin should be placed next to each litter receptacle to ensure recyclables are not tossed in with the trash, and so trash is not tossed in with the recyclables. If outdoors, portable litter receptacles or recycling bins may be anchored to soft ground using metal stakes or weighted object, or may be anchored to a permanent fixture using zip ties or elastic cords.

• How will litter receptacles and recycling bins be emptied and how will the material be transferred to a centralized collection point or dumpster?

  Typically, plastic bags are used and replaced when full. Depending on the size of the event site and distance to nearby dumpsters, transferring bags full of trash or recyclables may require a motorized vehicle or cart. Enlist volunteers, such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, school clubs, or other civic organizations to help with trash collection and recycling duty. Don’t forget the photo opportunity when local elected officials or other dignitaries lend a hand. Dumpsters for garbage and recyclables should be placed nearby, but preferably outside the immediate event location.

• Will final collection and disposal services be provided by a private waste collector?

  There are numerous private waste collectors that provide garbage collection and disposal, dumpster service, and recycling services. A list of those permitted in Loudoun County is online:

  • Visit a list of permitted collectors.

  Also, recyclable bottles, cans, and cardboard may be brought to any of the Loudoun County Recycling Dropoff Centers for recycling. A list of centers is available online:

  • Find the Recycling Dropoff Center nearest your event.
    

• How will you promote recycling at the event?

  Many people attending special events tend to toss trash/recyclables in the nearest container. Encourage recycling by promoting it during special announcements, advertising recycling in the event program and on a sign at the entrance. Recycling bins should be clearly marked to help prevent them from being used for trash. The Loudoun County Division of Waste Management will provide recycling decals to assist your promotional efforts, please call 703-777-0187. It also helps to use recycling bins that have a reduced opening in the top that will limit the size to that of a bottle or can and help keep trash out. For example, plastic trash cans with lids are an inexpensive option for recycling bins by simply cutting a small circular hole in the lid for bottles and cans. We also have ready-made signs available for you to print:

  • Recycling Signs

Resources

• Recycling Bins for Loan: See the Clear Stream recycling bin online. Available for loan on a first-come first-serve basis. Call 703-777-0187 to reserve up to ten recycling bins and replacement bags.

• Recycling Dropoff Centers: See the list of Recycling Dropoff Center locations here.

• Loudoun County Landfill: Open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 703-771-5500. The landfill is located at 21101 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. Visit online for more information.

• Purchase Recycling/Trash Collection Services: View a list of providers.

• Additional Solid Waste Collectors Permitted in Loudoun County: View a list of providers.

• Purchase Litter Receptacles and Recycling Bins: View links to providers.