Event Recycling
Festivals and parties can be a lot of fun, but they also make a lot of waste! Let us help you reduce the environmental impact of your event with our portable event recycling bins! Our event recycling bins collapse for easy transport to and from your event. We provide the bins, bags and signs, you fill them with recyclables! When the party is over bring the bins and recyclables back to the Otter Tail County Recycling Facility. The bins are free to use – so there really is no excuse to not recycle at your next big event! We also have an Event Recycling Trailer for use at larger events.
Portable Recycling Bins are Perfect for:
- Family Reunions
- Sporting Events
- Weddings
- Street Fairs
- Festivals
- Concerts
- Graduation Parties
Reserve Event Recycling Supplies
To reserve recycling bins or the Event Recycling Trailer please fill out the Event Recycling Reservation form. A Recycling Center staff member will contact you within 5 business days to confirm your reservation.
Managing Recycling at Your Event
Recycling at an event will go more smoothly if you plan ahead and use best practices. Read through the Otter Tail County Event Recycling Guide, and follow up with the Solid Waste Department if you have questions about setting up your bins or running your event.
Plan ahead
Think through the following before your event:
- Who will set up and manage recycling at your event?
- Will you need to empty the containers during the event?
- Could you offer free admission to volunteers who help with recycling?
- Where will bins need to be placed? Identify high-traffic areas, and areas near food and beverage vendors.
- NEVER place a recycling bin by itself, it will be used as a garbage can.
- How will you inform event attendees that recycling is available?
Best practices
Use these established best practices to keep recyclables clean and use the provided bags efficiently:
- Always place a recycling bin next to a trash bin. Never place a recycling bin by itself.
- Place bins in high traffic areas, such as near dining areas or restrooms.
- Monitor bins during the event.
- Change bags on the bins when the bags are ¾ full to ensure you can tie them shut.
- Bags that are partially full can be combined to save bags.
Purchasing compostable and recyclable products
Purchasing compostable products is easy once you know what to look for. We encourage residents to replace conventional disposal plates and utensils with compostable items whenever possible. Use the Food Waste Drop-Off sites to ensure these products get composted, as they do not get composted if they are put with the trash.
When purchasing for compostable products, look for products obviously made from all plant material, such as the plates shown here on the top right, or products that are certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) or the ASTM D64000 certification. Some options are available locally, and many options are available online.
Products that are shiny, have printing, and are made of plastic will not break down into new soil, and contaminate the compost. When planning an event or family gathering with compostable items, use ALL compostable items to reduce confusion.
To ensure you purchase products that can be recycled for an event, choose plastic cups or containers numbered #1, #2, or #5.
Aluminum cans and glass bottles are also readily recycled.
Stay away from #6 Solo cups and styrofoam cups. #6 plastic is toxic and is not generally recyclable.
Setting up the Bins
We get a lot of questions about how to set up the bins and put the bags on securely. Before you start setting up your event, watch this quick video to make sure you can secure the bags to the frames properly.