Zero Waste Rentals

Are you thinking about hosting an event soon? PRC’s Zero Waste Program Zero Waste Rental Service can provide you with all the necessities for greening your event!

When & Why Should I Use A Zero Waste Rental Service?

Graduation celebrations, birthday parties, block parties, weddings, fundraisers and events of generally 250 guests or less are a perfect fit for the Zero Waste Rental Service. Events, even small backyard parties, can generate a significant amount of waste. Avoiding typical party supplies is easier with our options. By utilizing our Zero Waste Rental, you can prevent single-use servingware and packaging from adding to the landfill.

What Is A Zero Waste Rental Service?

Our Zero Waste Rental Service includes three bins, which separate materials into categories. The three bins are labeled “Landfill,” “Recycling,” and “Compost.” Educational signs are part of the package, so guests will know which bin to use.

Ready to get started? Review our calendar for our availability, and fill out the rental request form!

Rental Request Form

How Do I Plan To Reduce Waste?

Reducing waste at your event begins long before the event itself. Follow these steps to make the most of your Zero Waste rental:

Choose a venue that offers both recycling and trash disposal, and ask what your venue’s recycling hauler accepts. PRC’s Zero Waste Rental Service will provide you with compost disposal.
Purchase the right amount of food for your party. Let your caterer know that your priorities include minimizing excess food.
Arrange a food donation plan with a food pantry or organization like 412 Food Rescue. Make sure to follow donation guidelines; keep excess food temperature safe and sealed. If you are working with a caterer, share these guidelines for food donation.
Choose to serve on durable plates, glassware, and utensils. Decorate with reusable, washable items. This will significantly reduce single-use disposable items at your event.

Where Do I Purchase Compostable Service-Ware?

Where durable service-ware is not possible, our Zero Waste Rental Service can provide you with BPI-certified compostable service-ware. This service-ware is made from a combination of plant fibers such as sugar cane or paper, and natural waxes, resins and plant-based polymers used as a lining or an alternative to conventional plastic. See the insert below for PRC’s compostable service-ware inventory.

What Can I Compost?

Backyard compost is different from commercial composting. Your backyard compost is great for composting food scraps, yard waste, and paper products. However, much compostable service-ware, including “bio-plastics” made with PLA, will only compost in an industrial facility that reaches a higher heat. With your use of the Zero Waste Rental Service, our organization will compost these as well as your food scraps, paper, and wet/dirty cardboard. Your compost will be properly processed by AgRecycle, the only industrial composting facility in the region.

How Do I Order A Zero Waste Rental Service?

Please use the form to request a Zero Waste Rental Service. Please submit your request no later than two weeks prior to your event. The pick-up and drop-off locations for the rental kit materials will be provided upon an agreement of service.

Certified Compostable Serviceware Catalog

Upon request, PRC has a small inventory of 100% BPI-certified compostable service-ware available with Zero Waste Kit Rentals.

$7 for 50 Count Pack of 9oz PLA Cold Cups

$8 for 50 Count Pack of 12 oz No Tree Cold Cups

$9 for 50 Count Pack of No Tree Hot Cups

$10 for 50 Count Pack of 10″ Fiber Plates

$4 for 50 Count Pack of 6″Fiber Plates

$8 for 100 Count Pack of Wooden Knives

$8 for 100 Count Pack of Wooden Forks

You can find compostable products through most major vendors, however, many products labeled “compostable” or “biodegradable” through online vendors are not certified through the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) or the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). These labels are important, because they distinguish if the product will break down in commercial composting facilities.

Peruse the inventory below, and make your selections for purchase in the Zero Waste Kit Rental Form further down on this page. PRC staff is happy to provide recommendations for any additional service-ware you need.

Ready to get started? Fill out our order request form.

ORDER REQUEST FORM