How 10 Eco-Friendly Venues Are Winning with Sustainable Event Supplies
- Aishwarya Iyer
- Aug 26
- 8 min read
Updated: Oct 8
Written by: Aishwarya Iyer
I still remember the first time I really noticed it—standing in a sea of discarded plastic cups at a music festival, watching the clean-up crew tackle mountains of single-use waste as the last notes faded into the night. The contrast was jarring: an event that had brought so much joy hours earlier now leaving behind a troubling environmental footprint. Like many of us, I'd been to countless gatherings where the aftermath told a story of excess and waste: corporate conferences with untouched food heading to dumpsters, wedding celebrations where decorations enjoyed for a single evening were destined for landfills, and community events where convenience trumped consciousness.
But something is changing. At a recent music concert, I watched attendees naturally sort their items at clearly marked stations, sipped drinks from branded reusable cups they'd keep as souvenirs, and food service vendors served on compostable plates that would become soil rather than waste. The difference wasn't just in the infrastructure—it was in the atmosphere. Sustainability wasn't an afterthought; it was an experience in itself.
These moments reflect a wider transformation happening across North America. In 2019, U.S. music festivals collectively produced an estimated 53,000 tons of waste, highlighting the scale of the environmental impact. But across the continent, a sustainability revolution is transforming how gatherings are planned and executed. Forward-thinking event organizers and venue operators are demonstrating that experiences of any size can align with zero-waste principles without compromising on quality or attendee satisfaction.
At Plastic Detox, we're consistently inspired by these industry pioneers who prove that sustainability and memorable experiences are perfect partners. Join us as we explore 10 remarkable North American events and venues setting new standards for zero-waste success—and discover approaches that might transform your next event.
1. Outside Lands Music Festival: Sustainable event supplies & a closed-loop system (San Francisco, CA)
Outside Lands has revolutionized the music festival experience through its comprehensive waste diversion program, achieving an impressive 92% diversion rate in 2024. The festival implemented a reusable cup system with RFID technology that tracks usage and offers drink discounts for participants. Their dedicated "Green Team" manages on-site composting while educating attendees about proper waste separation.
The festival requires all vendors to use compostable or reusable food service supplies, with no exceptions. According to Outside Lands' 2024 Impact Report, these combined efforts have diverted more than 300 tons of waste from landfills annually and reduced their carbon footprint. The festival partners with Urban Sprouts Farm to process food waste and sustainable event supplies into compost for local community gardens, creating a closed-loop system that benefits the entire San Francisco community.
2. SXSW: How an eco-friendly cup system replaced 1.4 million plastics (Austin, TX)
South by Southwest (SXSW) has transformed from a waste-heavy tech and music festival to a leader in sustainable event management. In 2024, despite hosting over 280,000 attendees, the festival achieved an 85% waste diversion rate through strategic planning and innovative partnerships. Having a digital-first approach, they eliminated 3.2 tons of paper waste, according to their publicly available Sustainability Report. The festival's reusable container program, launched in partnership with r.Cup, eliminated 1.4 million single-use cups in 2024 alone. SXSW's vendor sustainability guidelines require all food service items to be compostable and prohibit single-use plastics throughout the event.
The festival's waste diversion program includes clearly marked waste stations monitored by trained "Eco Ambassadors" who guide attendees on proper disposal. SXSW also partners with Austin Community College's sustainability program to conduct detailed waste audits, generating data that continuously improves their waste reduction strategies year after year.
Want your event to achieve similar zero-waste success? Explore our compostable cups, plates, and utensils designed for festivals and large gatherings here.
3. Toronto Green Living Show: Sustainable stewardship in action (Toronto, Canada)
The Toronto Green Living Show is a premier event dedicated to promoting sustainable living through innovative practices and community engagement. One of its standout initiatives is the annual e-waste collection drive, in partnership with Samsung and Sears Canada, which has successfully recycled over 100,000 pounds of electronic waste, offering free show tickets to participants.
The show also emphasizes sustainable food service practices. Pfenning Farms donates 300 pounds of misshapen organic produce to chefs, diverting it from composting and reducing food waste. Through these efforts, the Toronto Green Living Show fosters a community committed to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
4. Coachella: Eco-friendly food service at scale (Indio, CA)
Coachella has transformed from an environmental liability to a sustainability leader through its comprehensive TRASHed program. Their distinctive art-focused recycling bins, created in partnership with Global Inheritance, increased proper waste sorting.
The festival's extensive composting operation processed 36 tons of food waste during the 2024 event, converting it to soil amendments for local farms. Coachella's innovative "Carpoolchella" program rewarded over 15,000 vehicles with special benefits for arriving with four or more passengers, reducing transportation emissions significantly. Their energy management program, which incorporates solar arrays and biodiesel generators, reduced fossil fuel usage by 42% compared to 2019 levels.
5. Montreal Jazz Festival: PFAS-free plates & compostable packaging for vendors (Montreal, Canada)
The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM) has made sustainability a core part of its operations. Since 1989, the festival has taken steps to reduce its environmental impact, earning BNQ Level 2 certification for sustainable development in 2023. FIJM uses hydroelectric and solar power where possible and has eliminated single-use plastics on-site.
The festival's strict vendor agreements require all food service supplies to be either compostable or reusable, with financial penalties for non-compliance — many vendors source eco-friendly products like compostable cups, plates and packaging to meet these standards.
Waste management is reinforced through sorting stations and an on-site Eco-Centre that handles reusable materials, including construction and hazardous waste. The festival also promotes sustainable transportation by offering free bike parking and encouraging public transit use. In addition, it supports local community organizations like Renaissance and La rue des Femmes and partners with La Tablée des Chefs to recover surplus food. These comprehensive efforts reflect the festival’s strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
Food & Beverage Business Tip: Festivals like FIJM only allow compostable food service supplies. Our compostable cups and plates meet these standard and are available in bulk.
6. Zero Waste Conference: A model for eco-friendly catering supplies (Vancouver, Canada)
The Zero Waste Conference (ZWC) in Vancouver doesn’t just discuss sustainability—it actively embodies it through its operations, venue choice, and programming. Hosted by Metro Vancouver, the event is held at the Vancouver Convention Centre, one of the greenest buildings in North America. The venue is LEED Platinum-certified and features a six-acre living roof, on-site black water treatment, and a seawater heating and cooling system—demonstrating real-world application of sustainable design.
Beyond the venue, ZWC models zero waste principles by minimizing single-use materials, encouraging reusable alternatives, and integrating circular economy practices into its logistics. The conference provides plant-based catering and emphasizes local sourcing to reduce waste and food-related emissions. It also promotes low-carbon transportation options for attendees, such as public transit and cycling.
These actions, paired with its content on topics like regenerative design and circular fashion, make ZWC not only a platform for dialogue but also a working example of sustainability in action.
7. Burning Man: Leave no trace with zero-waste food service principles (Black Rock City, NV)
Despite its remote desert location and massive scale with over 80,000 attendees, Burning Man has implemented one of the world's most successful "Leave No Trace" event policies in what might be considered the most challenging environment imaginable. The event's comprehensive Matter Out of Place (MOOP) mapping system meticulously tracks waste-generating areas across the entire temporary city, creating accountability and identifying trends for focused improvement, according to their publicly available Restoration Reports.
Their strict pack-in/pack-out requirements are enforced through community accountability, with theme camps subject to placement consequences in subsequent years based on their MOOP footprint. Burning Man's technical innovations include distributed gray water processing systems that have prevented thousands of gallons of contaminated water from impacting the delicate desert ecosystem. Cut waste at your next event. Request free samples of our compostable cups, plates, and utensils.
8. Oregon Brewers Festival: Eco-friendly cups & food vendor partnerships (Portland, OR)
The Oregon Brewers Festival (OBF) is a leader in sustainability among large-scale beer events. Notably, it partnered with Agilyx to recycle over 1,300 pounds of plastic beer mugs in 2019, converting them back into reusable monomers. The festival also diverted waste by composting 1,140 pounds of food scraps, recycling 2,700 pounds of cardboard, collecting 760 pounds of used cooking oil for biodiesel, and donating unused mugs to community programs.
Additionally, OBF transitioned from plastic to glass tasting glasses and promotes eco-friendly transport through bike parking and public transit incentives. These efforts reflect OBF’s strong commitment to reducing its environmental footprint while celebrating craft beer culture.
9. Sustainable Brands Conference: A waste reduction & carbon neutrality event (Various U.S. Locations)
The Sustainable Brands (SB) Conference demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability through tangible, measurable initiatives. The event partners with organizations like ClimatePartner and South Pole Group to offset 100% of its carbon emissions, including attendee travel and venue operations, achieving carbon neutrality through renewable energy projects.
Waste reduction is a key focus: the conference eliminates single-use plastics by using reusable materials for signage and attendee items, and collaborates with companies such as TerraCycle to recycle and repurpose event materials. For example, SB’24 used pouches made from 70% recycled cotton and 30% recycled polyester with blockchain verification for sustainable sourcing. Water usage is also addressed by purchasing Water Restoration Certificates through the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, helping to replenish local water systems.
10. Montreal's Olympic Stadium: A venue shifting to sustainable practices (Montreal, Canada)
Montreal’s Olympic Stadium is increasingly recognized as a sustainable venue, with a focus on innovative waste reduction and water conservation strategies. As part of the Olympic Park’s broader green efforts, the stadium has integrated water-efficient fixtures and permeable surfaces to reduce water use and manage stormwater runoff. Though specific data on water savings inside the stadium is limited, these measures support the city’s sustainability goals.
In terms of waste management, the stadium has made significant strides. During past renovations, over 98% of demolition waste was recycled—a practice rooted in long-term sustainability planning.
How to Transition to Compostable Products at Your Event
Inspired by these industry leaders? The Plastic Detox team specializes in helping events and venues implement effective zero-waste strategies by offering eco-friendly, compostable food packing and create custom quotes for large events. To further amplify such efforts, they offer impactful marketing resources and support to reduce waste. So whether you're organizing a small corporate gathering or a major festival, our experienced team can help you achieve your sustainability goals.
What food & beverage businesses can learn from these venues
Festivals and venues like SXSW and Outside Lands now require vendors to use compostable food service products. That means cafés, breweries, caterers, and event organizers who switch early to compostable plates, cups, and utensils not only reduce waste but also stay ahead of future regulations. Using eco-friendly catering supplies can also lower disposal costs, improve brand image, and attract eco-conscious customers.
The future of food service is zero-waste
These pioneering venues prove that eco-friendly food service supplies and compostable catering products are no longer optional, they’re becoming the industry standard. With 76% of event professionals prioritizing sustainability in their planning, now is the time for food and beverage businesses to make the switch.
Ready to reduce waste at your coffee shop, brewery, or venue? Request a free sample kit and take the first step toward a zero-waste food service operation.
Comments