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When the Urban Ecology Center set out to reduce trash at events such as Art in the Park, an ongoing neighborhood-wide waste reduction effort was launched. The Urban Ecology Center's plan to phase out disposable cups at events ended up involving two nearby businesses in waste reduction and showing community members how to save money and reduce trash.  Art in the Park was held in September and was attended by approximately 500 people.  The event featured artists, musicians, storytellers, guided hikes, displays, family craft activities and a climbing wall.

• Urban Ecology Center newsletters included articles and reminders informing members of the benefits of waste reduction and encouraging the use of reusables for events at the Center.
  
• Thermal souvenir cups made from recycled plastic were purchased.  The cups are printed with a message encouraging waste reduction and can be used for either hot or cold drinks. The mugs are sold to raise funds for the Urban Ecology Center and to ensure that the cups are taken home by individuals who plan to reuse them. The cups were introduced at Art in the Park.  A supply of cups will be used and washed for reuse at meetings and presentations at the Center.
  
• Two nearby cafés - Alterra Coffee Roasters and Rory's Café and Espresso Bar - agreed to offer a discount to reward customer who show support for waste reduction and the Urban Ecology Center by using their souvenir cups instead of disposable cups.  Alterra Coffee Roasters even helped purchase of the cups.
  
• Food vendors who participated in Art in the Park were given "Festival Vendor Tips for Waste Reduction", provided by the Wisconsin Be SMART Coalition and were called and reminded to reduce waste at the event.
  
• The Be Smart Shopping display was exhibited, demonstrating the waste reduction benefits and cost savings of choosing products without excess packaging. A variety of printed materials about waste reduction were available for visitors to take.
  
• A recycling bin made of recycled plastic was used to collect PET plastic, aluminum and glass at the event.
  
• No additional waste containers were used during Art in the Park; just the permanent trash container located on the site to serve playground users. The container, which already had some trash in it before the event began, did not have to be emptied during the four-hour event, which means that Art in the Park generated less than one 50-gallon bag of trash.

For more information about festival waste reduction, call the Be Smart Information Hot Line at 1-866-91-SMART.