Indianapolis Event Waste Guide

Your Roadmap to Sustainable Events in the Circle City

Created in Partnership with the City of Indianapolis Office of Sustainability, Indiana Sports Corp, Visit Hamilton County, and Visit Indy

Sustainability is the future of large-scale events, and Indianapolis is committed to providing national and international event organizers with the necessary tools and resources to achieve their environmentally-conscious goals.

The Indianapolis Event Waste Guidebook builds upon the significant sustainability achievements of major sporting events hosted in the city, such as diverting 117 tons of waste from the landfill during the 2022 College Football Playoff event and hosting the first carbon-neutral NCAA March Madness Tournament in 2021. The guide’s development was driven by the leadership and vision of the Sustainability Committee, part of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming Indianapolis Local Organizing Committee.

Organizers of events large and small are increasingly conscious about decreasing their overall carbon footprint, and Indianapolis offers a robust ecosystem of local resources to support these efforts. The Indianapolis Event Waste Guide is designed to empower both out-of-town and local event organizers with the information they need to minimize waste, whether their event hosts 50 people or 50,000. This comprehensive guide includes step-by-step instructions, best practices, and local vendor contact information for implementing successful waste reduction, recycling, composting, and donation practices at scale.

Within the guidebook, you'll find key suggestions and solutions to reducing, reusing, and recycling the waste produced during your event. Discover the best practices for increasing the interest in sustainable programs, donating and reusing your event's items, and reducing your event's carbon footprint.

With a list of reputable Indianapolis vendors and recycling companies that are ready to assist in making sustainable events a reality, this guidebook serves as your roadmap to hosting efficient and meaningful events, from start to finish.


Access the Indianapolis Event Waste Guide