While it is easier to reduce your waste at home, with some planning, it can be done at any outdoor event.

Even  large festivals, such as the Vancouver Island Music Fest, are making it a priority to reduce their waste. This festival has been recognized for their “Living Green” programs. They partner with other organizations to ensure a sustainable festival.

 Here on the Sunshine Coast, The Festival of the Written Arts is working to reduce their waste. This year they have decided not to sell plastic bottled water even though this was a significant source of income for them. Instead they will make water available and be selling stainless steel water bottles and provide compostable cups.

Another great idea, they will prefill the bottles with cold water. The Sunshine Coast Credit Union supported this initiative and the bottles will carry both the festival's and the credit union's logos. They are encouraging people to bring their own water bottles and coffee cups to the event.

When asked about their move to reduce waste, Jane Davidson, producer of the festival, said, "We have gradually been leaning in this direction and taking little steps. In 2008 we  started printing our programs and brochures on 100% post-consumer recycled paper." Davidson says the Board of Directors held a retreat last February and decided to make environmental sustainability a core value and Zero Waste their goal.

"Our committment was to question everything we did and take whatever steps we could, when we could, " said Davidson.

 From the festival programs to the food plates and cutlery, thought has gone into recycling and composting.  All the food vendors will be using compostable products. The compostable plates, cups and cutlery are more expensive for the vendors. This year the SCRD supported the move with a grant of $1500 to subsidize the costs. Next year the total costs will be on the vendors and the use of compostable products will be a condition of participation.

These products along with the food waste will be collected by Direct Disposal and composted. Returnables will be collected by Habitat for Humanity while wine bottles will go to the Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living. They will have recycling bins placed throughout the site.

When asked if she thought that people would support this effort Davidson replied, "My sense is that our patrons will agree that this is the responsible way to manage our waste and they will support the effort."

 You can use some of these same ideas for your family picnic. Time to dig out the old picnic basket! Bring your plates, cutlery and cups and take them back home to be reused again. Or buy some of the compostable paper products. Just make sure you compost them, not just throw them in the trash.

 After a beautiful day at the beach or campsite you can complete the experience by leaving it as you found it (or better) and take your waste to be recycled or composted.