Each year concerts, festivals, and large public events bring thousands of people together to have a good time and celebrate music, food and culture, but behind the scenes, there is a less glamorous practical side that demands just as much organization – waste management.
From discarded beverage and food containers and food residue to packaging and promotional materials, large events generate tons of waste in a short amount of time. Without a clear and efficient system in place, this waste can overwhelm venues, create safety hazards, and leave a lasting environmental impact.
Sustainable event planning has evolved far beyond recycling bins and good intentions. Today, balers and waste compactors provide practical, scalable solutions for sorting recyclables at source, reducing waste volume and optimizing the logistics of cleanup – especially in high-traffic, high-waste settings.
Tons of waste just in one day – a big challenge
Event waste is notoriously challenging due to its unpredictability, short timeframes, and sheer volume. A single multi-day music festival can produce over 100 tons of waste. Disposable food packaging, beverage containers, signage, and merchandise wrappers all add to the clutter.
Beyond aesthetics and cleanup costs, poorly managed waste can damage public perception of an event, contradict the sustainability goals, and strain the local waste infrastructure. A well-organized waste management system is essential – not just to keep a venue clean, but to meet environmental standards and enhance the overall experience for attendees, vendors, and sponsors.
Together, waste compactors and balers offer a clean, efficient way to process waste at its source. It could be behind a food stall, in a vendor tent, or near public seating areas.
Smart compaction solutions for events
Balers are especially useful for managing recyclables like cardboard, plastic wrap and aluminum. By neatly compressing recyclables into standardized bales, balers improve recycling efficiency, cut down on clutter, and support cleaner back-of-house operations for vendors and suppliers.
Waste compactors reduce the volume of general waste by compacting it into dense, manageable loads. This helps minimize the number of waste pickups needed and reduces overflow, odors, and pests – common problems at crowded events.
Strategically located recycling points
Events that integrate waste compactors and balers into their operational plan often see immediate improvements in logistics and cleanliness. Placement is key! Units should be stationed at strategic points throughout the venue where waste generation is high but access for haulers is limited. This includes food and beverage prep areas, entry and exit gates, and service corridors.
Orwak’s line of Compact balers, the multi-chamber balers 5070 and 5070-HDC (perfect for PET and alu cans) and the classic in bag compactor 5030 and the in bin compactors 660/1100 in the Flex line are ideal for these settings. They offer powerful compaction in a small footprint, making them easy to install temporarily or move between venues. For events with recyclable waste like cardboard or PET bottles, a vertical baler ensures material is stored neatly and securely, ready for pickup or resale.
Another popular solution for public-facing areas is TOM, Orwak’s automatic waste bin. TOM compacts waste in real-time and holds up to seven times more than a regular bin. It keeps high-traffic spaces clean longer, reduces the need for constant servicing, and provides a neater, more hygienic experience for guests. Another hygienic feature is the touch-free operation with the shutter opening automatically when TOM is approached.
Partnering with Vendors for Greener Events
A growing number of festivals and sports venues are adopting sustainability guidelines for participating vendors. These requirements may include using compostable packaging, sorting waste properly, and reducing unnecessary materials. However, if the infrastructure to support these behaviors is not in place, even the best efforts fall short.
Balers and waste compactors help bridge this gap by giving vendors a reliable, on-site method to dispose of waste responsibly. Waste is sorted and processed on-site, reducing the need for extra labor, minimizing contamination, and improving compliance with recycling protocols. By investing in the right tools and educating vendors on how to use them, event organizers can significantly improve overall waste diversion rates.
To leave no trace of the eventClean-up after an event is often the most expensive and labor-intensive part of the process. Mountains of loose waste, disorganized recycling, and missed pickups can lead to hours or days of follow-up work. Balers and waste compactors drastically reduce post-event cleanup time by consolidating waste into predictable, easy-to-manage loads.
This not only saves time and money but also reduces carbon emissions from unnecessary hauling trips and overflow incidents. For venues working with tight schedules between events, having a streamlined system in place is critical.