Are you hosting an event in Davis?

Due to changes in statewide waste diversion law, many events are required to have recycling and organic waste collection bins placed next to each trash bin that's available to event attendees. 

You can rent trash, recycling, and organic waste collection bins for your event.

The City has Clearstream bins available to rent for $1.00 each. These bins include a frame, lid and sign and are available to rent for events that are held within the City of Davis. Bags for the bins can be purchased separately for $0.30 each. 

All materials are available first-come first-served, so please make your reservations at least one week in advance to ensure you have the supplies you need for your event.

More information about renting the waste equipment:

• Requests to rent waste equipment and Rental Forms must be received AT LEAST 1 week prior to your event.
• Waste equipment are available on a first-come first-served basis, so the sooner you reserve the equipment, the better your chances of having waste equipment at your event.
• The waste equipment must be returned clean and without bags or waste.
• The waste equipment may be picked up no earlier than two days before the event and must be returned no later than two days after the event.

Renting waste bins for your event

Holding an event? Plan for how you will manage waste

Are you planning a party or BBQ? Aim for reducing your waste as much as possible by ensuring all reusable, recyclable or compostable items stay out of the trash.

Planning your event

• Designate a recycling coordinator or committee. Planning for waste reduction and recycling should start at the beginning of your event planning. It’s important to have at least one person responsible for coordinating recycling efforts.
• Reduce waste by sending online invitations.
• Use RSVPs to get a head count to avoid food waste.
• Choose reusable serving ware rather than single-use. Several local vendors rent dishes, utensils and other items. 
• Choose food and supplies for your party that come in bulk with minimal and recyclable packaging.
• Instead of decorating with single-use streamers, balloons, and plastic party favors, decorate with re-usable décor or use potted plants and bowls of fresh fruit.

Food at Your Event

• Give each guest a cup with their name on it to reuse.
• Use finger foods and serve food buffet style.
• Use washable tableware, cups, flatware and linens.
• If washable reusable items are not feasible, try to use recyclable and compostable tableware, utensils and cups.

Working with Caterers/Concessionaires

If you will be working with a vendor (caterer or concessionaire) for your event, it’s important to clearly communicate your requests for reducing waste.

• Start communicating early so that caterers/concessionaires have time to plan accordingly to meet your waste reduction strategy and plans. Provide all vendors with an information sheet about your waste diversion efforts in advance of the event, such as with their registration packet.
• Make the diversion of recyclables and organic waste a required part of their contract for the event (they are likely required to do this anyways per state law). Clearly state how waste diversion will be done at the event and what the responsibilities of the vendor are (setting out waste collection bins, sorting waste, etc.).
• Ask vendors to break down their own cardboard and recycle it.
• Provide recycling and organic waste collection containers for vendors use if they do not have their own.
• Require that all vendors make the event as waste-free as possible.

Diverting waste at your event

• If you are using reusable serving ware, be sure to have a clearly marked location for retuning used serving ware.
• If you are not using City or Recology bins, set up clearly marked bins for trash, organics and recycling. Consider using large, reusable signs.
• Attach items used at the event to each sign so that guests can easily tell what goes into which bin.
• Make sure that all three bins (trash, organics, and recycling) are always placed together at your event.
• Place waste bins near where food or drinks are being served.

Recycling and composting your waste after the event

After your event, make sure that your materials are handled appropriately.

• Place all recyclables collected at your event in a Recology Davis recycling cart.
• Place all organic waste in your Recology Davis organics cart.
• Drop-off your recyclables 24/7 at the Recology Davis Recycling Center at 2727 2nd Street.
• Sort out any CRV bottles and cans and bring them to a certified redemption center to turn them into cash!
• If you want to compost the materials yourself, paper plates, napkins and compostable cups may be composted in a backyard composting pile or in a homemade food digester. Food scraps can be most easily composted via in-ground composting. Learn more about composting.