Zero Waste for Event Planners

Nashville is known across the country for our concerts, festivals, conferences, and other events. But we are behind when it comes to recycling. More than 80% of Nashville's waste is sent to landfill and only 11% is recycled.

We know we can do better. That's why Nashville's goal is to reduce the waste we send to landfill by 90% including reducing waste at events. To do this, Metro Government requires all events receiving a Special Event Permit or Parade Permit are required to provide recycling for patrons and are encouraged to further reduce waste and integrate sustainable choices throughout the event planning. Additionally, we've provided resources on this page for any event planner to achieve a less wasteful event.

Zero Waste Strategies for Events

Whether your event is big or small, you can significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by Rethinking, Refusing, Reducing, Reusing, Recycling, and Composting. The waste hierarchy provides strategies for how you can reduce waste at events. As you move up the pyramid, each strategy does more to conserve our natural resources, prevent pollution, and protect our environment.

1. Rethink potential purchases for your event to see if there is a less wasteful or more sustainable option.
2. Refuse unnecessary single-use packaging and polystyrene foam products like hot coffee cups.
3. Reduce the amount of material given away during your event that ends up as waste and litter.
4. Reuse when you can, such as reusing signs from past events and providing refill stations.
5. Compost any leftover wasted food, soiled paper products, and BPI compostable serviceware.
6. Recycle any materials that you can no longer use and are accepted by a local recycler.
7. Landfill should only be considered if there is not a higher and better use for the waste material.