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Product & Material Information
Material Characterization Chart for Special Events
Events are known to be one of the largest producers of waste in the U.S. However, most material discarded at an event is not waste, as indicated in the chart below. With proper planning and collection, most materials can be recycled or composted and diverted from landfill.
Image source: StopWaste.Org Special Event Best Practices Guide
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Preferred Products for Zero Waste Events
Achieving zero waste requires rethinking what we have traditionally regarded as garbage and treating all materials as valued resources. It also means sourcing or selecting products that can be reused again and again or recycled or composted instead of wasted. When combined with proper collection and processing, use of these recyclable and compostable products can greatly reduce the waste an event sends to the landfill.
Clear cups and lids should be recyclable  #1 (PETE) plastic.
Acceptable Compostable Food Serviceware Products
- Paper wraps, paper napkins, lightly coated or non-coated paper cups, plates, bowls, pizza boxes, coffee filters, etc. Dixie™ and Solo™ brand paper products that can be ripped can be composted. (The rule of thumb is if it is 90% paper you can rip it, you can compost it.)
- Utensils, made from compostable corn or potato, that are BPI certified (not plastic!)
- Bagasse (sugarcane) plates, bowls, clamshell containers
- Clear PLA (poly lactic acid or “plastic look alike”) products made from corn – deli containers, clamshells, etc. (these must be labeled with a green stripe or sticker for identification as compostable and be BPI certified for compostability – a list of products and manufacturers that meet this certification is provided by the Biodegradable Products Institute. Remember, cups must be #1 recyclable plastic, not compostable PLA.
- Waxy cardboard
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Recyclable Products and Information
By recycling plastics, aluminum, paper, and glass, you save the extra energy, transportation, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the manufacture of new products made from virgin materials. Recycling also creates jobs and supports our local communities. Recycling not only reduces waste produced at an event, it provides feedstock for the next generation of products made from recyclable materials.
Plastic Cup Policy
The City of San José requires that all events with more than 1,000 attendees must:
- Ban polystyrene foam use by food vendors;
- Use recyclable (PET) plastic recyclable beverage containers for cups 7 ounces or greater and paper cupes for less than 7 ounces; and
- Collect, at minimum, plastics, glass, metals, and cardboard for recycling.
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Compostable Products and Information
Many food products are being marketed as compostable, biodegradable or even degradable. Although the three terms sound similar, there is a distinct difference between these kinds of products.
A product that is compostable has been tested and meets the ASTM 6400 standard for compostability. This means the products will decompose in a commercial composting operation within a specific timeframe and no toxins will be released during the breakdown process. This is the preferred product type for use with food, so all materials can be composted successfully.
Important Note: Neither a compostable nor a biodegradable product will break down in a landfill. In landfill studies, 60 year old newspapers and carrot tops still looked as though they had just been thrown away. This is because a landfill locks out oxygen, which is required for materials to break down naturally.
Products that can be Composted by a Commercial Composting Facility
- Food soiled paper: paper towels, paper napkins, lightly coated or non-coated paper cups, plates, bowls, pizza boxes, coffee filters, etc. (The rule of thumb is if it is 90% paper and you can rip it, you can compost it.)
- Utensils, made from compostable corn or potato, that are BPI certified (not plastic!)
- Bagasse (sugarcane or fiber) plates, bowls, clamshell containers
- Clear PLA (poly lactic acid or “plastic look alike”) products made from plants – cups, deli containers, straws, lids, clamshells, etc. (these must be labeled with a green stripe or sticker for identification as compostable and be BPI certified for compostability – a list of products and manufacturers that meet this certification is provided by the Biodegradable Products Institute
- Waxy cardboard
Naturally Compostable Materials
- Food scraps (includes meat, bones, dairy products, coffee grounds – really any kind of food)
- Flowers, plants, landscape vegetation, leaves, etc.
- Newspaper and other non-coated, non-glossy paper products
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Additional Product Resources and Links
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