RELEASE: City Leaders Release Guidebook to Help Reduce Waste at Large Events

Developed in partnership with USA Swimming, the "Indianapolis Event Waste Guidebook" is a valuable resource for event organizers committed to reducing their impact on our environment
 

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis is making it easier for organizers of large events in the city to make sustainable decisions via the release of the new Indianapolis Event Waste Guide. Released to coincide with the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials being held in Lucas Oil Stadium through June 23, the 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.

The development of the guide was a priority for the Sustainability Committee for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Swimming Indianapolis Local Organizing Committee. Partners in the Guide's creation included representatives from the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability, Indiana Sports Corp, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Visit Indy, Visit Hamilton County, and local, woman-owned business Ecosystem Events. 

"Indy's Event Waste Guide has the potential to make a huge impact for the planet and the Indianapolis community," shared Julia Spangler, Owner of Ecosystem Events. "This tool gives all event organizers who choose Indy as their host city the opportunity to showcase their environmental values to their audience, leave a positive legacy in the Indianapolis community, and potentially save money along the way. It's a win-win-win."

Organizers of events large and small are increasingly conscious about decreasing their overall carbon footprint. There is a great ecosystem of local resources available to help them do just that right here in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Event Waste Guide is intended to empower both out-of-town and local event organizers with the information they need to reduce as much waste as possible - whether the event hosts 50 people or 50,000. The Guide will remain available to the public at VisitIndy.com.

"Sustainability is the future of sports, and Indianapolis recognizes the importance of providing national and international event organizers with the tools and resources they need to succeed at their environmentally-conscious goals," said Patrick Talty, President of Indiana Sports Corp. "The Indianapolis Event Waste Guide builds upon the momentum of landmark sustainability achievements for large sporting events hosted in Indy, including the 117 tons of waste diverted from the landfill at the 2022 College Football Playoffs as well as the first ever carbon neutral NCAA March Madness Tournament in 2021."

Indiana Sports Corp and USA Swimming are committed to making the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Swimming presented by Lilly an environmentally-friendly and sustainable event. Other sustainability initiatives include a food rescue program in partnership with local nonprofit Second Helpings, a completely circular supply of water for the pools in partnership with Citizens Energy Group, and the purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset energy consumption.

The publication of the Indianapolis Event Waste Guide coincides with an action item included in Thrive Indianapolis  -- the sustainability and resilience action plan that charts a path to citywide carbon neutrality by 2050. Local sustainability leaders will continue to identify ways to further support the goal to "develop waste minimization strategies for all large-scale, public events" through potential incentives and policies. This marks the thirteenth Thrive action item to be achieved since the plan was adopted in 2019. The plan, administered by the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability, includes 59 action items determined based on community input.

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