Why have a Trash & Recycling plan for a special event?

Per Chula Vista Municipal Codes 8.24 and 8.25, events within Chula Vista city limits must separate trash and recyclables generated by your event and its attendees, including during setup and dismantle time frames associated with your event. The City does not provide street sweeping services or additional recycling or trash containers for special events, so please plan accordingly. When your event is over the event venue and surrounding areas must be cleaned and returned to a condition equal to or better than the condition prior to the onset of your event activities.

Download Event Checklist (PDF) to assist you with event planning.

Recycling and Trash Requirements

1. Per City ordinance CVMC 8.25.050 it shall be mandatory for all generators to separate designated recyclables from refuse for collection purposes.
2. Per City ordinance CVMC 8.25.040B, if you need to acquire containers for your event your order must be placed with the City’s franchise trash hauler (Republic Services).
3. There must be a recycling can for every trash can and they must be placed side-by-side (twinning) in strategic locations throughout the event venue.
4. Recycling and trash cans must be clearly identified. When possible display a clearly visible list of accepted recyclable materials on the recycling cans.
5. The Host Organization must ensure that all recyclable materials are delivered to a State of California permitted recycling facility and not to a landfill. The two options are:  1) use the City’s franchise hauler Republic Services (no receipt required), or 2) the organizer or a third party can take the materials to a state-permitted facility and a copy of the receipt must be sent to environmentalservices@chulavistaca.gov. 

Guidelines for a Successful Event

Identify Recyclables

• Identify recyclable materials that are anticipated to be generated at your event.
• Determine the number and types of vendors or service providers who will be involved in the management of your event and the types of materials they will generate, either during event setup, dismantling of the event, and include any products/materials available to attendees that could result in disposal in the landfill.

Venue Staff

• Hire adequate staff to pick up litter and maintain venue cleanliness during your event. It is highly recommended that you have at least two staff per every 1,000 attendees.

Educate Vendors and Service Providers

• Develop a waste reduction and recycling policy that each vendor and service provider must read and sign acknowledging their agreement to comply with the program.
• Include expectations, such as how recyclables should be separated, if cardboard must be flattened, etc.
• You may want to require an upfront deposit or charge a waste management fee as part of booth rentals to cover the costs for recycling collection and trash disposal.

Container Ordering

• Determine container type and quantity needed for your event. For assistance contact the City’s Environmental Services Event Coordinator or call (619) 691-5122.
• Once you have requested your Special Events Permit from the City of Chula Vista, contact Republic Services to place your container order. At that time, they will discuss pricing and container delivery locations with you.
• Please forward order confirmation email from Republic Services to environmentalservices@chulavistaca.gov.