Sorting at events

WHERE DO YOU START?

Analyse your situation, choose the right rubbish bins and involve the right waste partner.

HOW DO YOU IMPROVE THE QUALITY?

nform visitors, staff and suppliers, and monitor the results.

WHY SORT?

It's a sustainable and logical choice, but also a legal obligation!

Since 2023, events have been required to use reusable cups and, in some cases, reusable catering equipment too. The exact legislative provisions vary from region to region. Here are some links to useful information to get you started.

FLANDERS

BRUSSELS

Despite this requirement, a lot of PMD is generated at events. For instance, PET bottles and cans can still be sold. What’s more, at events that take place on public land – such as flea markets, street parties or running races – visitors also bring their own PMD packaging with them. Sorting is still the key message at such events!

1. Analyse your situation

What waste streams are generated? At what locations? In what quantities? Estimate the volumes for each zone of your event. And bear in mind that a lot of waste is generated during the setup and dismantling of the event too.
Are there any specific target groups (non-native speakers or children) who need a specific approach in terms of communication?
Within your organisation, who is responsible for waste management?

2. Choose the right rubbish bins and position them strategically

Place rubbish bins at strategic locations: where visitors enter or leave the zone and at all places where food and drinks are consumed. Match the size to the expected volume and avoid overflowing bins.
Make sure all zones are covered: backstage, campsite, concert zone, hospitality areas with bars, kitchens and food trucks, carpark, exit and entrance, and so on. For each zone, determine what waste is generated.
Group bins for different materials into sorting islands: PMD and residual waste, and possibly organic waste in eating areas. Bear in mind that paper and cardboard in visitor areas is usually too contaminated and belongs in residual waste.
Provide a (central) collection point with large containers for each type of waste. Identify each collection container with a sticker. Give clear instructions to the responsible employee(s) or eco-team.

3. Bring in a professional waste partner

As the event organiser, you obviously need to find a partner to collect your waste. Choose a private collector affiliated with Fost Plus. That way, you can be sure that your PMD follows the proper path to recycling. These collectors can also provide you with the official PMD bags, bearing the words “PMD-Bedrijven / PMC entreprises”.

Consult the list of affiliated PMD waste collectors

View our checklist for requesting a quote

For a limited volume of PMD, smaller and local events such as flea markets or street parties can sometimes also turn to their municipality or intermunicipal organisation.

In food preparation zones – food trucks and kitchens, for instance – a lot of other types of packaging are generated as well as the typical PMD packaging such as cans and bottles. They are very similar to the packaging we sort at home but are often a lot bigger or contain products we don't use at home, such as bulk packaging of sauces, spices or drinks, single-use gas cylinders and plastic films. This packaging is subject to the specific rules for catering packaging.

Download the PMD sorting rules for the catering sector here

1. Inform

Visitors

Clearly indicate that visitors have to sort their waste and explain exactly how to do that. Also integrate your waste and sorting policy into the overall communication and promotion of your event. Involve visitors as much as possible and state that everyone is responsible for a clean event.

Place the different bins together in sorting islands and add the necessary stickers and lettering to them. You can order free stickers from the Fost Plus Sortstore. If you make your own stickers, use the right colour codes: blue for PMD, grey or black for residual waste, yellow for paper/cardboard and green for glass.

Go to www.thesortstore.be for free stickers and other communication materials

Staff and suppliers

Involve all staff in sorting and provide training for the eco-team, volunteers and waste managers, in both sorting rules and the importance of quality. Provide the necessary clean-up equipment: gloves, vests, grab sticks, bags, etc.

Also remember to involve food truck operators, caterers and other suppliers. Make sure that they know the PMD sorting rules for the catering sector and that they put the different waste types in the right collection containers provided by your waste partner. It is also important that they use the correct bags.

2. Monitor

During the event

Analyse the quality of the flows collected and identify the most common problems and sorting errors. Regularly check the fullness of the bins and make adjustments where necessary. Evaluate site cleanliness regularly – before, during and after the event. Involve the eco-team and take account of what they have to say too.

If possible, distinguish between waste collected during the day and waste collected in the evening or at night. There is often a big difference in quality. If necessary, request reports from your waste partner in order to monitor quantities and quality.

After the event

Communicate the results to staff, visitors and suppliers. Tell them how much was sorted and what the quality was. Tell them about the positive points but draw attention to the areas that need improving and any sorting errors, as well. For example, bottles and cans need to be empty if they are to be given a new life.

Don’t forget to thank everyone for their efforts! Take learning points to the next edition and use the results in your communication after the event or for the next edition.

1. A sustainable and logical choice

Sorting PMD at your event promotes sustainability! Because the more we sort, the more we can recycle. That way, we make sure that packaging is no longer lost in the residual waste but is given a new life as a valuable raw material. But it's also totally logical, because we all do it at home anyway. Visitors therefore increasingly expect to be able to sort their PMD – and other types of waste – properly.

2. Sorting, a legal obligation

As an event organiser, you are legally obliged to collect PMD separately. Incidentally, the same applies to many other waste flows, too, such as glass, paper/cardboard and recently, kitchen waste and left-over food. The competent services are carrying out more and more inspections – and the law sets severe penalties for infringements.

Full details of your legal obligations can be found here