The document summarizes efforts by the Fiesta Verde committee to promote sustainability at Fiesta, San Antonio's largest annual festival. In 2010, the committee piloted recycling programs at several large events to comply with the city's new Green Events ordinance. The programs focused on recycling beverage containers and saw some success, though challenges included cross-contamination in mixed recycling bins and difficulty collecting recyclables from parades. For 2011, the committee plans to expand recycling coverage, improve parade collection, and explore other sustainability initiatives like using hybrid vehicles and creating a recycling competition for colleges.

1. Fiesta Verde
A Journey to a Greener Fiesta
July 9, 2010

2. Fiesta Background
Over 118 years old with Battle of Flowers Parade being
oldest event
Fiesta is the 7th largest festival in the nation and the 3rd
largest in Texas
Composed of over 100 Participating Member Organizations
representing over 90+ events during the 11 day festival
Attendance at all events numbers over 3.5 million
Constitutes an economic impact to San Antonio of over
$284 million (based on last study)

3. The problem
With over 100 events, many serving food and beverage, a
lot of trash is generated
Over 100 tons generated by the two street parades alone

4. The Challenge
"We’re going to pass a green events ordinance,
as a couple of other cities have done, so that
recycling is an integral part of large events like
Fiesta."
Mayor Julian Castro, Texas Monthly, July 2009

5. CoSA Green Events Ordinance
Require events to complete Green Events Checklist
Required if event:
Serves food or beverage
Has over 1,000 participants
Operates on city property, requests right of way
privileges or receives 50% or more funding from city
Compliance by a scored checklist
Penalty for not achieving score requirement
Monetary penalty based on size of event - 1,000 and
2,000+
Ordinance will be enforced one year after passage
Passed in middle of April
Fiesta 2011 will be affected

6. Prior efforts by Fiesta events
Earth Day has always promoted sustainability during event
Several events (NIOSA, King William Fair) contracted with
bio-diesel provider to collect cooking oil
King William Fair attempted recycling with last year's effort
being most aggressive (cans, plastic, bottles, paper,
organic)
Small efforts by individuals or small groups at a few events

7. Fiesta Verde committee
Committee formed made up of a cross-section of
organizations, city departments and community leaders
Focused to develop a multi-function plan for Fiesta 2010
Goal of initiatives was to minimize impact to event bottom
lines
Conducted joint press conference with Mayor Julian Castro
Mayor Castro promoted Fiesta Verde with Fiesta San
Antonio
Mayor also recorded a message on his VLog

8. Fiesta Verde 2010 Recycling
Recycling of plastics, glass and cans at pilot events
Keep stream simple to avoid cross-contamination
Street parades were a priority due to size
NIOSA was priority of mayor's office
King William was priority due to prior efforts
Education was primary focus for recycling
San Antonio has a growing residential recycling
program
Make recycling a part of everyday life
Test how well people would adapt to recycling at events

9. Framework for Event Recycling
Review event product to determine what can be recycled
Contact waste provider to see if recycling offered
Determine method and cost
Explore alternatives if not provided
Map out placement of recycling containers
Best placement is by trash containers
Adapt containers signage to reflect recyclable product
Train volunteers on recycling approach
Arrange drop off and pickup of recycling containers

10. Lessons Learned from Event Recycling
Type of container can help avoid cross-contamination
Using ClearStream provides visual on recyclables
Solid containers hide what's being placed in container
NIOSA was more successful than planned
Limited container placement for 2010
Cups were recyclable but many took cups home
Recycling pickup took only 15 minutes
Full container coverage planned for 2011
Other events had similar success
King William was most successful
Cross-contamination was minimal using ClearStream
containers

11. Types of Containers Used
SWMD Eco Stations ClearStream Containers

12. Parade Recycling
Challenge was collection
Both parades have limited number of containers
Collection must happen after parades over
Volunteers needed for collection
Solution involved multiple parties
SWMD would provide collection in post-parade clean-up
team
Street chair organizations would provide collection
Limited success during parades
Collection improved when time provided
Night parade unsuccessful due to inability to distribute
bags

13. Other Fiesta Verde 2010 Initiatives
Addition of new VIA Park and Ride for King William Fair
LED lights on Carnival rides
Promotion of Fiesta Verde wrist-bands
Solar generation at Fiesta Oysterbake
Three engineering students built project
Provided light for 11 booths
Cooking oil recycled at some events

14. Fiesta Verde 2011 Plans
Expand event recycling
Target events covered by CoSA Green Events
ordinance
Remain focused on beverage container recycling
Increase container coverage at events
Improve parade recycling
Pre-stage collection bags to areas
Provide better training and materials
Work more closely with parades
Increase litter prevention program
Explore usage of hybrid vehicles and bio-diesel
Partner with auto manufacturers to showcase technology
Develop Mayor's Challenge Cup competition
Encourage college teams to help foster sustainability

15. Other Event Observations
Riverfest - Little Rock
Riverfest Recycles program
Encourage people to collect recyclable items
Provide card with sustainable action tasks
Offer incentives (t-shirts, caps, SmartCar)
Experienced cross-contamination in containers

16. Other Event Observations
Texas Folklife Festival - San Antonio
Leveraged ClearStream containers
Limited coverage but good participation
CoSA 4th of July Celebration - Woodlawn Lake
Used SWMD Eco Stations
Park had existing containers
Experienced cross-contamination

17. Things To Consider
Keep the recycling stream simple
Start with beverage products and advance over time
Placement and type of recycling container
See-through bags help avoid cross-contamination
Placement beside trash containers
Consideration of product
Bottles and cans easier to manage
Check with recycling provider on cups
Compostable cups becoming mainstream
Education and promotion
Enlist city leaders to help promote program
Keep program simple
Consider incentives for recycling

18. Questions?