Waste management strategies for festive events

When the Christmas lights are switched on and festive markets are springing up all over the UK, it makes for a magical atmosphere. But behind the mulled wine and the mince pies, Christmas brings a big challenge, namely waste management. With big crowds, street food, and takeaway hot drinks, litter can pile up fast. That’s why if you’re organising a Christmas event, you need a good waste management strategy in place. Read our guide to organising festive fun minus the mountains of rubbish.

The scale of festive waste

Unsurprisingly, Christmas is the time of year when the waste we generate is off the scale. According to BusinessWaste.co.uk, the average household produces 30% more waste compared to other times of year. We discard around 114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging and bin an estimated one billion Christmas cards. And that’s just to name a few ways we generate waste.

Now imagine adding thousands of takeaway cups and food wrappers from Christmas markets and light switch-ons. Without a clear plan to manage waste, bins overflow, recycling gets contaminated, and council cleanup teams face a mountain of work.

Common waste streams at festive events

Event organisers and councils can expect:

• Food waste: leftovers from street food stalls.
• Single-use cups: hot drinks in disposable containers.
• Packaging: napkins and trays.
• Seasonal decorations: discarded items after events.

Each type of waste needs a clear plan. Without it, litter can quickly get out of control.

Practical bin strategies

So, what works best when thousands of people are enjoying the festive fun?

High-capacity bins: Larger bins prevent overflow in busy pedestrian areas. They also reduce the need for constant emptying, which keeps walkways clear and reduces the burden on staff.

Recycling stations: Clear signage for plastics, paper, and food waste helps reduce contamination. When bins are easy to understand at a glance, people are far more likely to put items in the right place.

Dedicated cup bins: Separate bins for disposable coffee and hot chocolate cups make recycling easier and more effective. They also stop cups from clogging up general waste bins, which prevents contamination.

Strategic placement: Position bins near food stalls, entrances/exits, and seating areas. When bins are exactly where people need them, litter is far less likely to end up on the ground.

Temporary event bins: Mobile or cardboard bins can be deployed for pop-up markets or light switch-ons. They’re flexible enough to move where they are needed so your waste management plan stays on track.

Festive signage: Bright, themed prompts encourage visitors to use bins correctly. A touch of seasonal design makes bins more noticeable and adds to the festive atmosphere.

These strategies not only improve waste management but also make the event a better experience for visitors. No one wants to sip mulled wine next to an smelly, overflowing bin.

Festive waste management best practice in action

One of the most effective festive waste management traditions comes from European Christmas markets, where drinks like mulled wine or hot chocolate are served in reusable mugs. Visitors pay a small deposit (Pfand), reclaimable when the mug is returned. Or they can keep it as a souvenir. This simple system has been running for decades and dramatically reduces single-use cup waste, proving that those small behavioural nudges can make a big difference.

Closer to home, in one of our previous blogs, we looked at how Bournemouth Council trialled bins that played tunes when used as part of its Neat Streets campaign.

Imagine combining these ideas at a Christmas market or other festive event. Reusable mugs to cut down on single-use waste, and bins that play your favourite festive tunes when they’re full. Just a few ways you could make litter disposal part of the celebration.

Why festive waste management matters

Effective waste management at festive events brings a lot of benefits:

• Cleaner public spaces make for a more pleasant atmosphere for visitors.

• Lower costs as councils spend less on litter-picking and landfill fees.

• Positive environmental impact. As recycling rates rise, this reduces carbon footprint.

• Positive PR. It definitely doesn’t hurt businesses and councils to be seen as caring about sustainability.

Festive events are about fun, community, and celebration. But they’re also a test of how well we handle litter. With some savvy bin strategies, Christmas markets and light switch-ons can be more sustainable. We want to see Christmas lights on our streets, not litter.

For more interesting articles, tips, and advice about waste management, check out the rest of our blog, or take a look at Sainsburys In Store Plastic Recycling Scheme or find our more about Christmas Tree Recycling