In line with our sustainability vision, with your help, we will continue to reduce waste during this year’s event.

Five Rivers MetroParks is a conservation agency committed to being the region’s leader in sustainable practices.

Together with our vendors, sponsors, service providers and the public, we have made huge strides to make the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience waste free in recent years. Check out our progress and milestones and see how you can help!

Follow these tips to help keep the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience a waste-free event.

Waste Free Partners include; City of Dayton Water | Klean Kanteen | Greater Dayton RTA | Waste-Free Dayton I Dayton Foodbank I Alco Supply I World Centric

Tactics and History

2017

• Introduced an improved collection system for ease of disposal and more accurate measurements. Collection tubs were available in front of waste collection stations for visitor use. Staff and volunteers sorted waste from tubs into appropriate collection bins and weighed can liners prior to disposal.
• Worked with a single compostable serviceware vendor to streamline disposable materials and increase diversion rate. Greenspeed Products LLC provided serviceware to food vendors and was on site to promote their compostable product line.

2016

• Continued to refine measurement system and worked with staff and volunteers to sort waste post-collection for more accurate waste profiling.
• Introduced multi-colored bag and tag system to ensure proper disposal of sorted waste.

2015

• Introduced a system to measure diversion rate through weighing all recyclable, compostable and landfill-bound waste and estimating the impact of eliminating bottled water sales and disposable beer cups.

2014

• Encouraged all food vendors to serve products from compostable or locally recyclable materials.
• Worked with DRG3, Leave No Trace and other like-minded partners to provide educational opportunities at our Waste Free Stations.
• Encouraged all vendors to work with event staff to recycle cardboard and other potential waste items from their booths.
• Used a waiver signature hand stamp instead of one-time-use wristbands.
• Repurposed event T-shirts for volunteer uniforms.
• Collected exhibitor name tags for reuse.
• Increased visibility of Used Gear Area to extend the life of outdoor gear.
• Served beer in reusable cups only. Beverage containers with the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience logo is symbolic of the event’s success at achieving Waste Free status and can be purchased at the Great Lakes Beer Garden and the Outdoors Used Gear Area. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own reusable container and save $5 on their beverage in the Great Lakes Beer Garden.

2013

• Eliminated use of Styrofoam products by food vendors.
• Eliminated beer tickets and used compostable cups in the beer garden.
• Food vendors were required to offer alternatives to plastic bottles.
• Collected grey water from vendors.
• Collected cooking oil from vendors; JT Environ upcycled oil for bio-fuel production.

2012

• Formed committee with representatives from Green Earth Outdoors, LexisNexis, Five Rivers MetroParks, Rumpke and local Master Recyclists.
• Provided on-site staffing of recycling/composting stations to educate public on proper disposal.
• Visitors pledged to help Midwest Outdoor Experience become waste free.
• Provided reusable souvenir pint glasses for sale in beer garden. Offered discounts on beer purchases.
• Eliminated plastic water bottle sales at festival.
• City of Dayton provided water station for visitors.
• Visitors encouraged to bring a water bottle or use compostable cups provided.