Managing Seasonal Waste: Recycling Solutions for Summer Events

The smell of BBQs, the sound of live music, and the sight of happy crowds enjoying the sunshine… Summer events are a highlight of the calendar for communities, businesses, and organisations across the UK. But once the fun is over, what often gets left behind are the piles of waste – from food wrappers and plastic cups to cardboard boxes and glass bottles.

At phs Wastekit, we understand that the success of a summer event isn’t just about what happens during the day – it is also about how responsibly and effectively things are wrapped up. Efficient recycling and waste management is not only vital for environmental compliance, but also essential for keeping venues clean, cutting costs, and showcasing your organisation’s sustainability credentials.

Whether you are running a music festival, planning a company summer party, or hosting a charity picnic in the park, here is how to manage seasonal waste with confidence.

Why summer events create a waste surge

Let’s face it – people generate more waste when they’re out enjoying themselves. From disposable cutlery and drink cans to packaging, signage and promotional materials, outdoor events naturally produce a spike in mixed waste. Add unpredictable weather and a fast-paced schedule, and it’s easy for bins to overflow and recycling efforts to fall by the wayside.

Without a proper waste management strategy, you could end up with:

• contaminated recycling streams
• increased landfill costs
• unpleasant and unsafe public areas
• reputational damage for failing to manage your environmental impact

The good news? With a little planning and the right equipment, waste doesn’t have to be the uninvited guest at your summer event.

Top recycling solutions for summer events

1. Know your waste streams

Before your event kicks off, understand what kinds of waste you’re likely to generate. The most common streams at summer events include:

• dry mixed recyclables (paper, cardboard, plastic, cans)
• glass
• food waste
• general waste
• single-use items like napkins, straws, and packaging

Segmenting waste types from the start will make recycling easier and cleaner.

2. Provide clearly marked recycling stations

People want to do the right thing – but only if you make it easy. That’s why visible, well-labelled recycling stations are essential. Use signage that’s bold, simple and colour coded.

Pro tip: position recycling bins right next to general waste bins. If people have to search, they’ll default to the nearest option – and it’s often the wrong one.

3. Prevent overflow with compacting solutions

Overflowing bins don’t just look bad – they encourage contamination and can even become safety hazards. To combat this, consider on-site waste compactors and balers.

Compactors reduce the volume of general waste, while balers compress recyclable materials like cardboard and plastic into tidy, manageable bales. This minimises trips to empty bins and reduces your collection costs. phs Wastekit offers a wide range of waste balers and compactors suitable for temporary or permanent setups.

4. Plan for food waste and compostables

Summer events often come with snacks – and leftovers. If your event includes food vendors or catering, plan for dedicated food waste bins and ensure vendors know what items are compostable. Encourage the use of compostable plates and utensils and clearly mark bins to separate these from plastics. When done right, diverting food waste to compost or anaerobic digestion can massively reduce your landfill impact.

5. Involve your vendors

Your recycling plan shouldn’t stop at the event gate. Work with food trucks, drink vendors, merchandise stands and sponsors to minimise waste and align on recycling protocols.

Ask them to use recyclable or compostable materials, reduce excess packaging, and separate their waste. The more unified the approach, the cleaner your recycling streams will be.

6. Use trained staff or volunteers

Consider assigning staff or volunteers to monitor recycling stations and assist the public. Not only does this increase correct usage, but it also improves visibility of your sustainability efforts.

A friendly face by the bins can make all the difference between a can going in the right bin… or the nearest hedge.

Benefits of an effective recycling strategy

Recycling at summer events isn’t just about saving the planet (though that’s a good enough reason on its own). It also:

• reduces waste disposal costs by minimising landfill use
• improves event hygiene and public safety
• enhances your brand image by demonstrating environmental responsibility
• ensures regulatory compliance with waste management laws.

And in an age where audiences are increasingly eco-conscious, a visibly green event speaks volumes about your organisation’s values.