PA Resources Council Partnering With Large-Scale Events In Western PA To Reduce Event Waste Thru Zero Waste Program

Again this year, many of Western Pennsylvania’s largest festivals, foot races and fundraisers will share a common theme – waste reduction – as the PA Resources Council aims to reduce event waste through its Zero Waste Program.

“In addition to greening festivals and fundraisers, PRC offers commercial businesses, institutions and local governments across the state a wide variety of Zero Waste services including technical assistance, audits and analysis,” explains PRC Executive Director Darren Spielman. “Since launching the Zero Waste program in 2009, PRC has worked to prevent an immeasurable volume of waste from ever being produced and to divert 550 tons of material from landfill and limit the toxicity from discarded products to Pennsylvania’s land, air and water.”

At Zero Waste events, PRC staff members serve as ambassadors to educate patrons and assist them with properly sorting waste to maximize diversion.  On-site efforts results in diverting tons of material from landfills to become valuable compost and recycled products and create jobs in recovery and re-manufacturing.

“Event organizers work with our PRC team to pursue innovative waste reduction and management practices with an ultimate goal of diverting 90% or more material from landfill through a system of reuse, recovery, recycling and composting,” says Chesapeake First, PRC Zero Waste Events Coordinator.  “At 28 events last year PRC’s Zero Waste efforts diverted 73,000 pounds of waste.”

According to Spielman, “The success and growth of PRC’s Zero Waste program is the result of a team effort, and we thank the many partners, funders, volunteers, supporters and individuals who have participated in our events over the years.  We invite those just learning of these important efforts to join us in 2023.”

Zero Waste Event Assistants

PRC is hiring part-time seasonal Zero Waste Event Assistants to provide in-field support.  Current contract opportunities in southwestern Pennsylvania pay $15/hour and offer flexible scheduling April through October. 

Click Here for PRC Jobs Information.

For more information on the program, visit PRC’s Zero Waste Program webpage, which includes event services, rental service, audits/analysis and technical assistance.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources Council website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them on Facebook.  Click Here for PRC’s Events Calendar.  Click Here to support their work.

PRC is Pennsylvania’s oldest grassroots environmental organization founded in 1939.  PRC has worked to protect resources for future generations through environmental education, recycling, waste diversion programs, anti-litter campaigns, watershed and other initiatives. 

[Posted: March 24, 2023]  PA Environment Digest