Public Space Recycling:Challenges and Successes

500 Festival: Brett Sanford & Glenn Amos

Indiana Recycling Coalition: Danni McPherron

About the 500 Festival

• The 500 Festival, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the greatest race in the world. Over the past 50+ years, the 500 Festival has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the nation.

• The mission of the 500 Festival is to produce life-enriching events and programs while celebrating the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 and fostering positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana.

500 Festival Recycling History

• OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

2009 was the only year with dedicated recycling partner

Planning: Challenges• Finding an organization

partner• Education• Costs• How it fits in event space• Training participants and

spectators• Composting• Execution

Execution: Mini-Marathon and Kids Day

• Co-location of all trash/recycling

• Fewer Trash Containers Needed• Determining Volunteer Needs• Recycling & Composting

Recovered• 2009 – 1,480 lbs• 2010 – 0• 2011 – 400 lbs• 2012 – 800 lbs• 2013, 2014 – 0• 2015 – 4,320 lbs!

• Composting Pilot

Execution: Challenges

Successes• Developed a recycling program for

an event that previously had none• Increase in recyclables recovered• Increased education• Participant and Spectator perception• Execution

Future Goals• Continued education• Program expansion • Establish official

supplier/hauler relationships