Whether you're organising a village fete for 200 people or a multi-stage music festival for 5,000, waste management is one of those things that, if it's not planned properly, creates a visible and unpleasant problem in the middle of your event. The good news is that with the right planning and the right contractor, it's entirely manageable.
Start With Your Waste Streams
Before you think about bins, think about what waste your event will generate. Most events produce at least three distinct waste streams: general waste (food packaging, cups, napkins, wrappers), dry mixed recycling (plastic bottles, cans, cardboard), and glass (if you have a bar or drinks provision). If you have food traders or catering, you'll also generate food waste. The more you separate these streams, the better your recycling rates — and the lower your landfill costs.
How Many Bins Do You Need?
A rough rule of thumb: for every 100 visitors over a 4-hour event, you'll need approximately 2–3 x 240-litre general waste bins and 1–2 x 240-litre recycling bins. For events with significant food or drink provision, increase this. For events over 6–8 hours or with high footfall, consider 660-litre or 1,100-litre containers in key areas. Under-provisioning is the most common mistake — always err on the side of having more bins.
Where to Position Your Bins
Bin placement matters as much as bin quantity. Position bins near: food and drink stalls (the highest waste generation point), main entrance and exit points, audience viewing areas, and toilet facilities. Clearly signed bins encourage correct sorting. If aesthetics matter — at a wedding, for example — position larger containers back-of-house and use smaller bins in guest areas.
Recycling at Events
Event recycling rates have improved significantly in recent years, driven both by organiser commitment and visitor expectation. To maximise recycling at your event: use clearly colour-coded and labelled bins, place recycling bins alongside general waste bins at every location, brief any stewards or staff on what goes where, and consider a waste champion who monitors bins and helps visitors sort correctly.
Licence Conditions and Compliance
Many event licences — particularly for larger events on council land or in licensed venues — include specific waste management conditions. These might specify minimum bin provision, require a waste management plan to be submitted in advance, or require the site to be cleared to a specific standard within a set timeframe after the event. We provide Waste Transfer Notes on all our collections, giving you the documentation you need for any licence compliance requirements.
Post-Event Clearance
The end of a successful event shouldn't mean a long, miserable clear-up. We offer post-event collection at a time agreed in advance, clearing all bins and leaving the site ready for handback. For larger events, we can schedule collections to coincide with your venue's requirements.
We cover events of all sizes across East Sussex — from Camber Sands in the east to Lewes in the west. For a free, no-obligation quote for your event, call us on 01424 732643 or visit our events page.
