Inspiring Ideas for Hosting a Zero Waste Events in Michigan

As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, communities around the world are heading outdoors to celebrate. From iconic music festivals to small local gatherings, events of all sizes are making an effort to reduce waste and ditch single-use plastics. At BARC, we’re proud to be leading the charge right here in Michigan. Whether you’re hosting a lively community festival, an elegant wedding, or a backyard graduation party, our zero-waste event services help you celebrate responsibly without sacrificing fun.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at the global shift toward greener events, and sharing practical ways you can join the movement right here at home.

Festivals Around the World Are Going Plastic-Free

From reusable cups and biodegradable food packaging to banning plastic straws and utensils, event organizers are making conscious efforts to reduce waste and promote sustainability.

Glastonbury, one of the world’s most iconic music festivals, made headlines in 2019 by banning single-use plastic water bottles—preventing over 1.3 million from being used in just one year. The festival also operates an extensive on-site recycling center and powers key areas with fossil fuel-free energy, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 90%.

Through ACL Greening Programs, Austin City Limits Music Festival encourages attendees to recycle, compost, and reduce their environmental footprint. Volunteers help guests sort waste, and eco-activations reward people for sustainable behavior, making green choices fun and easy.

Right here in Michigan, Breakaway Music Festival held in Grand Rapids has a long standing partnership with Zero Waste Event Productions to manage waste at their events. Their collaboration has successfully diverted over 45,000 lbs of material from landfills, implementing accessible recycling and landfill bins across festival grounds and ensuring most beverages are sold in recyclable containers.

Bringing Zero Waste to Northern Michigan: Eco-Friendly Event Ideas

Zero waste isn’t just for music festivals and large-scale productions, it’s something anyone can integrate into their next gathering. While it’s exciting to see change on the world stage, there’s plenty we can do right here in Michigan. BARC works with organizations, municipalities, and individuals to transform events of every size into zero-waste success stories. Here’s how different types of local events can go green:

Festivals & Public Gatherings

From Traverse City to Detroit and everywhere in between, we’ve helped large-scale events go zero waste, including craft beer festivals, local food fairs, and outdoor music events. These high-traffic gatherings require more coordination, but the impact is huge. We provide full-service zero waste management so you can sit back and enjoy the fun!

Nonprofit Fundraisers & Community Events

Volunteer recognition dinners, community celebrations, and neighborhood block parties can all be greener with a little help. We can recommend the right products and bin setups to reduce landfill waste and inspire community action.

Private Parties & Celebrations

Think birthdays, baby showers, anniversaries, family reunions, and graduation parties. These events are perfect for our DIY packages, which include compostable serviceware and clearly labeled bin systems to help guests sort their waste. We deliver everything you need to your location, bring all your requested materials, set up the bins before your event and pick-up the bins and bagged up waste after. Small gatherings are a great way to introduce zero waste ideas to friends and family in a low-pressure environment.

Weddings & Receptions

Weddings create lifelong memories, why not make them eco-conscious too? From the ceremony to the reception, we offer full-service zero waste event management so that everything from hors d’oeuvres to late-night snacks can be served on compostable ware. We’ll even staff the event to monitor sorting and waste collection, so you can relax and enjoy the celebration knowing your day is making a positive environmental impact.

BARC’s Zero Waste Services

No matter the scale of your event, we make sustainability simple with three flexible packages:

• • DIY Pickup Package: Great for small gatherings
  • DIY + Delivery: We drop off and pick up your bins and supplies
  • Full-Service Management: We staff your event and handle sorting from start to finish

Our team also supplies compostable serviceware, and expert support to guide your zero-waste success.

When you plan a zero-waste event, you’re not just making a responsible choice—you’re joining a worldwide movement toward conscious celebration. Let’s take inspiration from the big players and apply it locally with BARC’s help.

Start planning your zero-waste event today by filling out this form:

Zero Waste Event Application