A special thank you to our partners: City of Sedona | Sedona Recycles | Compost Crowd — your support made a greener 4th of July possible for this community! ​

​Community events create memories that last a lifetime. Families gather, friendships grow, and people come together around shared values. At both the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Annual Picnic and Service Carnival 2026, sustainability became part of that story.

Working alongside Denali, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, the City of Mesa, Lions International, and the Leo Club, the Green Team brought the same hands-on approach to both events, implementing recycling, composting, and waste sorting strategies that helped attendees make informed choices at every waste station.
 
At the church picnic, those efforts achieved an incredible 90% waste diversion rate — meaning more than nine out of every ten pounds of material generated during the event were diverted away from the landfill. At the Service Carnival, that same commitment to sustainability prevented 96 pounds of CO₂ emissions from entering the atmosphere. 

Combined, the environmental impact of both events was substantial. Together, the total greenhouse gas emissions prevented were equivalent to: 

• 🚗 2,064 miles driven (1,954 miles from the picnic + 110 miles from the carnival)
• 📱 65,449 smartphones charged (61,944 from the picnic + 3,505 from the carnival) 

These outcomes remind us that sustainability isn't just about managing waste — it's about recognizing the value in resources and ensuring they continue to serve a purpose long after the event ends. And while the numbers from any single event may seem modest on their own, together they prove something larger: sustainability doesn't require massive changes to create meaningful results. Every bottle recycled and every compostable item diverted contributes to a healthier future.

Neither of these successes would have been possible without collaboration. We extend our sincere gratitude to our partners: Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church | Denali | City of Mesa | Leo Club | Lions International|
​
Thank you for investing in your community and demonstrating that service and sustainability go hand in hand. And a special thank you to our Green Team Lead, Oliver Renterria — from setting up Waste Stations to collecting impact data, their commitment reflects the mission of GreenLight Solutions: to advance green careers and green business. GreenLight Solutions is a 501(c)3 nonprofit celebrating 12 years of sustainability solutions. Our mission is to advance green careers and green business. We help students launch sustainability careers and businesses go green. Since 2013, GLS Youth Sustainability Projects have trained 424 students and implemented 103 sustainability projects to serve 75 businesses. Since 2022, GLS Green Events Services has diverted 73 tons from the landfill, contributing to 210 tons of CO2 emissions avoided and 28,000 meals donated to those in need. 
​

There's a place for you in the GreenLight community: 

• 🌿Hosting an event? Schedule a Discovery Session with our Green Events team and let's bring sustainability to your next gathering — big or small, we've got you covered.
• 🙋 Want to get hands-on? Volunteer with the Green Team and be part of the solution at events across the Valley! 
• 💛 Want to sponsor GLS sustainability programs? Reach out to our CEO, Ashley, at ashley@glsolutions.org. For every $1 donated, 1 lb is taken out of the landfill.

​
Together, we can make every event — every carnival, every picnic, every gathering — a step toward a more sustainable world.

None of this happens by accident. Behind every sorted can and composted orange peel was a volunteer who showed up, rolled up their sleeves, and chose to do things a little differently. Our Green Team and Sedona's own sustainability champions focused on three core initiatives to #StarveTheLandfill:

• ♻️ Recycling — giving bottles, cans, and cardboard a second life 
• 🌱 Composting — turning food scraps back into soil instead of methane 
• 🗃 Waste Sorting — guiding attendees, station by station, toward the right bin 

​
It sounds simple. It is simple. And that's exactly the point — sustainability doesn't have to be complicated to be powerful.
​

This event was led on-site by Amelya Keo and Oliver Renterria, supported by an incredible crew of volunteers and staff. Whether they were guarding bins, sorting waste in the Arizona sun, or cheerfully redirecting someone's compostable fork to the right station, every single one of them is the reason this milestone celebration is also a sustainability success story. 
​

At GreenLight Solutions, we're celebrating 11 years of helping events, businesses, and communities go green — and our mission has never wavered: to advance green careers and green business, and to make sustainability achievable and accessible for everyone. Events like Red Dirt Fest are proof of what's possible when a city, its vendors, and a community of volunteers decide that "business as usual" isn't good enough anymore. We're purpose-driven and solutions-oriented, and days like May 30th are exactly why we do this work.
​

• 🙋 Volunteer with the Green Team — Come sort, guard bins, and make memories at the next event. Sign up here.
• 🎉 Hosting an event? Let's bring sustainability to it. Schedule a Discovery Session with our team.
• 💚 Sponsor our programs — Reach out to our CEO, Ashley, at ashley@glsolutions.org to learn how your support keeps waste out of landfills across Arizona.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, sorted a can, or simply asked, "Wait, does this go in the compost?" — you're the reason this story has a happy ending.

One of the most rewarding parts of supporting sustainability-focused events is helping turn environmental values into tangible actions. Throughout the event, Green Team members staffed Waste Stations, answered questions from attendees, and helped ensure materials were sorted into the appropriate waste streams. These interactions helped reduce contamination while creating opportunities for attendees to learn more about recycling, composting, and responsible waste management. 

While sustainability can sometimes feel like a complex challenge, events like The Future of Sustainability 2026 show that simple actions—when multiplied across an entire community—can create meaningful results. 

By the end of the event, the greenhouse gas emissions prevented through waste diversion efforts were equivalent to:

• Charging 7,760 smartphones 
• Avoiding 245 miles of travel 

These numbers help illustrate how everyday decisions can contribute to larger environmental outcomes.

A special thank you to Green Living Magazine for hosting The Future of Sustainability 2026 and creating a space for education, innovation, and community engagement around sustainability.

We are also grateful to our event partners, including Denali and Goodmans Furniture, for helping make these sustainability initiatives possible. 

A special thank you to our Green Team Lead, Amelya Keo, for her leadership, problem-solving, and commitment throughout the event. 
​
Together, we are demonstrating that sustainability can be both practical and impactful.

As we continue supporting events throughout Arizona and beyond, we remain committed to helping organizations reduce waste, engage communities, and create measurable environmental impact.

The success of The Future of Sustainability 2026 shows what can happen when sustainability becomes part of the event experience—not just the conversation. 

Get Involved
🌱 Volunteer with the Green Team and gain hands-on sustainability experience while helping create greener events. 
🌱Hosting an event? Schedule a Discovery Session with GreenLight Solutions to explore sustainability initiatives for your next event. 
🌱 Interested in supporting GreenLight Solutions' sustainability programs? Contact our CEO, Ashley
Weisman, at ashley@glsolutions.org to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

Together, we can continue building a future where sustainability isn't just talk—we’re walking the walk!

Months of planning, hours of sorting, and a lot of teamwork added up to real results at Pat’s Run 2026:

• 70% Landfill Diversion Rate
  
• 7.7 tons of material diverted from the landfill

Those numbers translate into real climate wins. The greenhouse gases we kept out of the atmosphere are equivalent to:

• 56,745 miles driven
  
• 1,801,523 phone charges

This is what happens when sustainability is built into an event from the very beginning, and we’re proud of every pound diverted.

Impact at this scale doesn’t happen by accident. Our 2026 Pat’s Run game plan leaned on six core initiatives to Starve the Landfill: 

None of this would have been possible without the partners and sponsors who said yes to sustainability. A sincere thank you to the organizations that helped make Pat’s Run 2026 a true model for green events:

​Your commitment to leaving Tempe better than we found it is what makes this kind of impact possible. 

These numbers don’t happen without people. Our staff and volunteers showed up before sunrise, sorted bags in the Arizona heat, kept the energy steady all day, and stayed long after the finish line cleared.

Green Team Leads: Ashley Weisman and Oliver Renteria
Green Team Staff & Volunteers: Amia, Evoni, Kamari, Keith, Leohuns, and Nathaniel.
To every Green Teamer who hauled, sorted, guarded, smiled, and educated: thank you. You are the reason these numbers exist, and the heart of everything we do.

​Pat Tillman believed in showing up for something bigger than yourself, and so do we. We’d love to have you on the team.

If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and make a measurable difference for our planet and our community, join the Green Team today. Whether you’ve sorted a thousand bins or you’ve never touched a pair of gloves, we’ve got a spot with your name on it.

Hosting an event of your own? Schedule a Discovery Session and let’s bring this kind of impact to your next event. Every event deserves a legacy that lasts.

Our Goal:
​As we reiterate in every blog, the goal of GreenLight Solutions is to always follow the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #12, which focuses on Responsible Consumption and Production. With community and commitment, we can achieve this goal, as seen in the significant progress we made with this event. 

The Importance of GreenLight Solutions at Community Events:
​As families from all over pack into the local park for this event, they needed help prioritizing proper waste management, that's where GreenLight steps in! We helped families properly recycle their dishware and donate their easter egg shells for reuse. We also helped families dispose of their trash properly through bin guarding

Leads: Oliver Renteria, Ashley Weisman
​
Volunteers: Amia, Evoni, Leohuns, Nathanial, Kamari, Keith, Adele, Stella

The GreenLight Solutions Mission:
GreenLight Solutions is an Arizona-based sustainability organization committed to launching sustainability careers for students and being a pioneer in business and event sustainability.

​Written By: Adele Johns

Adele Johns is a student at W.P. Carey, majoring in Business Management with an interest in marketing and performing arts. Her experience in digital and administrative operations has allowed her to support Greenlight Solutions as a volunteer event worker and administrative support. Aside from school and work she is passionate about the nonprofit sector and access to the arts.

In the heart of downtown Phoenix, thousands of people buzzed with excitement while attending the NCAA Women’s Final Four. The Green Team is ready at work ensuring that all the waste produced from the event and surrounding areas makes it to the rightful place.

What we Accomplished:
Over the 4 day long event, the Green Team worked hard to avoid 1 ton of greenhouse gases, the equivalent of 2,000 miles or 6 hour long road trip. This was done through our signature initiatives: bin guarding, recycling, and waste sorting. 

Our Goal:
​As we reiterate in every blog, the goal of GreenLight Solutions is to always follow the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #12, which focuses on Responsible Consumption and Production. With community and commitment, we can achieve this goal, as seen in the intense amount of progress we made with this event.

The Importance of GreenLight Solutions at Sporting Events:
​This particular event was held just off of Jefferson Street in the heart of Phoenix, that being said, the event was attended by over 15,000 people. The average person produces 1.6 pounds of trash in a day, someone needed to stand in the way of all of that making it to the landfill. The Green Team had boots on the ground making sure that we mitigated this event’s effect on the city and surrounding areas.

Volunteers: Amia, Linda, Marco, Matthew, Xavier, Andi, Evoni, Leohuns, Marcus, Nathanial, Yoselin, Damien, Evan, Kirsten, Vanessa, William, Muhammed, Nikolas, Adele

The GreenLight Solutions Mission:
​GreenLight Solutions is an Arizona-based sustainability organization committed to launching sustainability careers for students and being a pioneer in business and event sustainability. 

​Written By: Adele Johns
Adele Johns is a student at W.P. Carey, majoring in Business Management with an interest in marketing and performing arts. Her experience in digital and administrative operations has allowed her to support Greenlight Solutions as a volunteer event worker and administrative support. Aside from school and work she is passionate about the nonprofit sector and access to the arts.

​Three days. Five hundred attendees. A whole lot of material that could have gone straight to landfill — but didn't. 

​For a conference of 500 people, that diversion rate is something to be proud of. Every cup, every wrapper, every film program that made it into the right bin represents a small but meaningful choice — and our team was there to make those choices easy.

​GreenLight Solutions is a Phoenix, Arizona-based sustainability consulting organization dedicated to reducing the environmental footprint of events, businesses, and communities across the Valley. From marathons to music festivals to film conferences, our Green Team shows up wherever there's waste to divert and a community ready to do better.

​To date, GLS has served 47+ events, helped divert over 145,000 lbs of material from landfill, and avoided more than 205 tons of CO₂ — and we're just getting started.

Hosting an event? Schedule a Discovery Session with GreenLight Solutions to bring sustainability initiatives to your next event — glsolutions.org 

Want to support the work we do? To sponsor GLS sustainability programs, reach out to our CEO, Ashley, at ashley@glsolutions.org.

Want to make a difference at events like Skyfire? Volunteer for the Green Team!

The volunteering effort showed the power of community involvement, with many people who showed up to make a difference. We are so grateful to everyone for being selfless enough to help out and contribute to making the Earth a greener place. ​

Hosting an event?
Schedule a Discovery Session with GreenLight Solutions to explore how we can bring impactful sustainability initiatives to your event. 

Want to join the team?
Sign Up to become a Green Team volunteer or staff member and help lead zero-waste efforts across the Valley. 

Inspired by this impact?
Become a Green Team Sponsor and help expand sustainability programs and waste-diversion initiatives throughout our community. 

Hosting an event?
Schedule a Discovery Session with GreenLight Solutions to explore how we can bring impactful sustainability initiatives to your event. 

Want to join the team?
Sign Up to become a Green Team volunteer or staff member and help lead zero-waste efforts across the Valley. 

Inspired by this impact?
Become a Green Team Sponsor and help expand sustainability programs and waste-diversion initiatives throughout our community. ​

​As an eager young professional sitting in my Sustainability and Enterprise course at ASU, my professor, Dr. George Basile, presented findings of the CGR report. I first learned about global plastic pollution and environmental degradation as a junior in high school, activating me to a life of stewardship. After 3 years into college and my pursuit to build a career in sustainability (where I often felt more fuddled about how to approach sustainability than anything else)— Professor Basile had handed me the key to a metaphorical lock presenting a clear path forward. After all my coursework in complexity and ecosystems, renewable energy, and environmental ethics— the research on circularity told me everything I needed to know. A circular economy will allow for a livable and thriving world. As an undergraduate within the College of Global Futures (CGF): the circular economy = sustainability.

​Luckily, Dr. Basile did not limit his lecturing to reports and numbers— he spoke boldly about the power of action and initiative. His attitude and holistic approach to changemaking instilled in me a fierce confidence to take this newfound key and look to unlocking a circular economy within my own community. And I wasn’t alone on this venture. Over coffee in a Tempe cafe I met with my classmate, Timothy Whitney Jr. As the complementary Business and Sustainability hawk to my social science degree, I proposed to him my entrepreneurial concept seeking to bridge the circularity gap starting in our own community. And it was that day over coffee that we planted a seed that, in due time, would sprout and become our zero-waste consulting collaborative and think tank— Circular Earth.

Over the last two years, Timothy and I have used our zero-waste mission to cultivate meaningful partnerships and projects within the Phoenix metropolitan area. Through a shared vision of a livable and thriving world for generations to come— we joined forces with GreenLight Solutions to initiate circularity projects through the City of Mesa’s Youth Climate Action Grant. Of the four circularity projects we submitted, funded at $5,000 each, our Zero-Waste Workshop for Arizona Businesses and Facilities stood out among the three other projects funded by the grant. Instead of partnering with one single business on a project to design and implement custom zero-waste improvements for their facility, the zero-waste workshop aimed to reach a wave of businesses in one swift effort. By convening sustainability stakeholders, community partners, and business leaders over a half-day workshop —organized with a panel of zero-waste experts, an introductory presentation, and collaborative breakout sessions— this project aimed to spread our zero-waste ethos broadly across the community.

With over six months in planning and outreach (largely supported by GreenLight Solutions staff and volunteers), we hosted our workshop on October 13th at Benedictine University in downtown Mesa. Opening remarks were given by AZ State Senator Lauren Kuby, career long sustainability advocate. The workshop additionally gathered support from one of Mesa’s Councilwomen, who attended the event and later told me at the post-event happy hour that she sees circularity as an important pillar, building economic resiliency and self-sufficiency in Mesa. The political support was an added bonus as our workshop saw 35 attendees across the private sector, representing 16 businesses and organizations across Arizona. As the workshop came to an end and attendees proudly developed their own individual zero-waste goals— the event was an overwhelming success.

This was my first try at content and program design of a circularity type workshop, as well as actually hosting and facilitating the event day-of. The months of preparation (especially the countless hours and anxiety that built in the final days before the event) led up to the hour before start time, as the room filled with community partners —many of which I now call friends— and attendees. The room suddenly filled with a buzz of warm energy that quickly soothed my nerves, and I felt myself relax as all the pieces came together in real time. My research and passion in circular economies drove me into this project headfirst, but it wasn’t until hosting my own event and observing the community deeply resonate with our mission of moving towards zero-waste, that I was able to verify our efforts as valuable and desired by the broader community (in other words, we were onto something). As we wrapped up the event and attendees largely shared with the room how the program left them feeling inspired, connected, and hopeful— I was on cloud nine.

​No different than any other project Timothy and I initiated as Circular Earth, this event was built entirely out of collaboration with our mentors and partners. From being trained as Zero-Waste Advisors through the U.S. Green Building Council’s Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) Certification to mentorship and project management by Ashley Weisman at GreenLight Solutions— community and strategic partnerships started this project and led to its success. The momentum from this event carries forward as four zero-waste audits were actioned to businesses who attended the event to dive deeper into making zero-waste a reality for their facility. Timothy and I plan to strengthen the consulting capacity of Circular Earth conducting these four audits over the next 6-7 months with Olla Olla Crepes, Stardust Building Supplies, Concordia Charter School, and Children’s Museum of Phoenix. The audits will work with each facility to generate a baseline waste assessment and identify opportunities for each facility to cut costs by maximizing waste diversion.

Instead of running into the sewer, water from roughly 100 showers a week provided for homeless patrons is filtered and reused to irrigate a small oasis. Our grey-water system turns shower runoff into apricot blossoms and pumpkin vine leaves bigger than your head. Each year, the system will divert about 83,000 gallons of water, saving roughly $662—enough to help provide 133 meals for SVdP’s homeless clientele. Built to run for six years with minimal maintenance, the filter system isn’t a temporary solution; it’s a quiet, durable commitment to using resources wisely so more can be spent on people.

​Additionally, behind the showers in a once-neglected corner, we built a Green Space zen-style garden. Features include a reclaimed-wood pergola, lily planters as bookends, a solar-powered Buddha water feature, and a 100% recycled-plastic bench that will last a lifetime. It’s a place where guests can sit, breathe, and soak in the peace of nature.

Our goal was simple, as we wanted to make the shop more sustainable while also reducing long-term utility costs for the business.

Here’s what we accomplished together:

• Added four new vents and closed holes in the roof to improve air circulation and make cooling more effective. Installed a new ice machine, saving Jarrod daily trips to Costco and reducing gas usage and carbon emissions.
  
• Introduced a food recycler to turn coffee grounds and food scraps into nutrient-rich soil.
• Launched a BYOC program.
• Purchased reusable mugs and glasses to reduce plastic waste.
• Conducted a water audit and, with additional funding from our project with St. Vincent de Paul, implemented improvements that now save the shop 35,000 gallons of water annually. 

In 2025, our Green Team achieved a 52% waste diversion rate, a major leap from last year’s 37%. Over just three years, we’ve gone from 32% → 37% → 52%, marking the highest diversion rate in Oktoberfest history. The impact didn’t stop there.
​
Waste Diversion Stats: #Starving the Landfill

• 2023: 3.7 tons
• 2024: 4 tons
• 2025: 7.1 tons

This year’s performance represents a 78% increase in diverted waste from 2024, showcasing the power of teamwork, community partnership, and intentional sustainability planning.
​

Despite intense weather—including microbursts and heavy rain—our team powered through. In total, we diverted nearly 21 tons of CO₂, the equivalent of:

• 54,000 miles driven
• 1.7M smartphones charged

​Weathering the Microburst: Volunteer Voices from the Storm
​Volunteer Matthew DePasquale described the experience as witnessing a, “30-yard long dumpster filled to the brim with recyclable materials”—all saved from the landfill and ready to be repurposed. He also noted that the team went back during the final two days--even in the rain—to ensure nothing recyclable was left behind. 

​This year’s efforts were especially impressive given that during the festival, Tempe was hit by a severe microburst in which straight-line winds of 80–90 mph tore through neighborhoods, prompting Mayor Corey Woods to declare a city-wide state of emergency. The storm left an estimated 500 trees lost within the city’s park system alone and required extensive cleanup and community coordination.

That level of dedication from the GreenLight Solutions team—delivering a major waste-diversion win even amidst a recovery period—truly embodies the spirit of our organization.

How Waste Diversion Supports Local Businesses
Reducing event waste isn’t only an environmental win—it also benefits local businesses and communities. Recycled materials can be transformed into new products, support local circular economies, and even contribute to feeding those in our community experiencing homelessness.
​
The success of this year’s diversion efforts shows what’s possible when sustainability becomes part of event culture. Oktoberfest is now setting the standard for eco-friendly festivals in Arizona, and we’re excited to build on this momentum for years to come.
​

​​Get Involved
​Hosting an event? Schedule a Discovery Session with GreenLight Solutions to explore how we can bring impactful sustainability initiatives to your event.

Want to join the team? Sign Up to become a Green Team volunteer or staff member and help lead zero-waste efforts across the Valley.
​
Inspired by this impact? Become a Green Team Sponsor and help expand sustainability programs and waste-diversion initiatives throughout our community.

GreenLight Solutions proudly supported this year’s Best of Arizona Gala, helping manage composting, recycling, and all sustainability efforts. And once again—GreenLight Solutions delivered. Just like last year, the event achieved an impressive 90% waste diversion rate, officially qualifying it as a zero-waste event.
​
Sustainability Impact You Can MeasureHosted by Green Living Magazine, the gala celebrated Arizona’s most inspiring environmental changemakers. Guests enjoyed incredible food; powerful performances from a poet, choir, and comedian; and engaging tabling from local organizations. The atmosphere was vibrant, community-driven, and filled with purpose—and the sustainability impact matched the energy.

Thanks to coordinated waste-diversion efforts, the event successfully prevented significant emissions. The CO₂ impact alone equated to:

• 580 miles driven
• 17,300 smartphones charged

These numbers reflect just how intentional and meaningful sustainability can be at a single gathering.

​A Night Honoring Arizona’s Eco-Leaders
​Thank you to every volunteer, staff member, and partner who supported this event. Your commitment and attention to detail are what make zero-waste events possible. Your work truly moves our mission forward.

A heartfelt thank-you to our event partners and sponsors—your support makes zero-waste events like the Best of Arizona Gala possible and helps amplify sustainability throughout our community.

• Green Living Magazine: Dorie Morales, Mandelynn Moses
• GreenLightSolutions Green Team: Kourtney Lien,  Gessica, Kathryn, Kory, Larissa, Clark, Bori

Innovation at the Heart of Sustainability​Long-time GreenLight Solutions volunteer Matthew DePasquale shared that if he could describe GLS in one word, it would be “Innovative.” As technology evolves, so do the opportunities to reduce waste, repurpose materials, and design smarter systems. Bill reinforced this theme by showcasing new tools and technologies that help minimize food waste and transform scraps into valuable resources.

The Going Green Summit underscored a powerful truth: sustainability thrives when people are willing to learn, share ideas, and embrace innovation. Investing in new technologies—and maintaining open, forward-thinking mindsets—helps communities grow stronger and more resilient.
​

Our waste diversion success was powered by a combination of hands-on, intentional strategies, brought to life
by an incredible community of volunteers and partners. Key initiatives included:
📦 Recycling
🌱 Composting
🛡 Bin Guarding
🗃 Waste Sorting

By focusing on these four efforts, the Green Team significantly reduced the amount of waste that ended up in
landfills. While we typically share detailed breakdowns, this time, we’re letting the overall number speak for
itself: 78% diverted!

​This initiative wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our amazing partners and volunteers. Huge
thanks to:
🛠 Partner Organizations: Infosol, Green Living Magazine, and Phoenix ToolBank — your partnership and dedication to sustainability made all the difference!

🤝 Partners: Dorie Morales, Yoland Grill, Nicole Seipel, Gemini Boudrie, Judy Hanson, Caroline Torres, Crystal Macdonald, and Jana Ferraro — each brought leadership to this initiative!

🌿 Green Team: Muffy, Clark, Kiko, Allison, Matheus, Ashley, and Felicia — you were on the frontlines, sorting, educating, and driving impact!

We're proud of what we achieved and even more excited about what’s next. Thank you to everyone who
supported and shared in this mission. Let’s continue to lead with action and raise the bar for sustainability at
every event.

achieving a 81% diversion rate. These results reflect the commitment of the Pat Tillman Foundation to reducing environmental impact and setting a standard for sustainable events.

​Supporting the Community
​
Beyond reducing waste, Pat’s Run gave back to the local community in meaningful ways. Through partnerships and food recovery efforts, we helped make sure no resource went unused. ​Our rescued food supported local food banks and shelters, providing nourishment to individuals and families facing food insecurity. The ripple effect of these efforts is felt long after race day.

We’re incredibly grateful for everyone who showed up, sorted waste, hauled bins, and spread the sustainability message. Your time, energy, and passion made this impact possible.

Recognizing Our Champions
This year’s achievements were made possible thanks to the incredible commitment of our partners and volunteers. We are sincerely grateful to the organizations and individuals whose dedication brought this impact to life:
Thank You to Our Partners:

• City of Tempe
• R.City
• Pat Tillman Foundation
• Waste Not
• Goodmans

Partners: Felicia, Ashley, Aimee, Brandon, Joseph, Kyleigh, Caitlin, Isabella, Pamela, Matthew, Tynan, Brennan, Jillian, David, Donisha, Eduardo, Lianne, Meagan, Paul, Phillip, Chiara, Elias, Gemini, Gretchen, Jennifer, Michelle, Muhammad, Tre, and Ty

Green Team Staff & Volunteers: 
Ashley, Aimee, Felicia, Miranda, Marcus, Kyleigh, Eduardo, Caitlin, Borislav, Brennan, Kayla, Kourtney, Matthew, Landon, Tim, Isaiah, Jackson, Braedon, Joel, Ronan, Vinay, Benjamin, Jordan, Rhyan, Ben, Trey, Will, Bryce, Bobby, Aman, Tanner, Blake, Riley, Zach, Connor, Brody, Ryan, Lucas, Friedrich, Gus, JP, Juan, Giancarlo, Kincaid, Niyathi, Harshini, Gabriela, Zackery, Kacey, Sydney, Anne, Kepler, Haotong, Said, Eva, Ahmet, Shashank, Brian, Daphne, Kendal, Tony, Jasmine, Nicole, Haylee, Kathy, Kyle, Tyler, Austin, Hiladrio, Liliana, Anjela, Klare, Navasta, Nicholas, Lai, Eleanoré, Fawn, Sophia, Stephen, Mario, Daisy, Vanessa, Giddeon, Janice, Kiana, Savannah, Jaevion, Guadalupe, Phoebe, Allison, Raul, Frank, Daniel, Reese, Matthew, Luke, Cooper, Aneesh, Chris, Jaime, Nolan, Sam, Michael, Nathan, and Cayden

Author: Clark is a Sustainability major at ASU with an emphasis on energy. 
Connect with Clark on LinkedIn.

​March 7th-8th, 2025, marked another successful year for M3F, not only as a premier music and arts festival but also as a leader in sustainable event practices. With a commitment to environmental responsibility, M3F's sustainability efforts focused on waste diversion and environmental education, making a significant impact on the festival's sustainability efforts.
​

• 18,000 Event Attendees enjoyed the festival, experiencing both incredible music and an eco-conscious event environment.
• 193 Volunteers and Staff worked tirelessly to maximize the recycling and composting efforts.
• $25,955 Value of Volunteer Hours contributed to making M3F a green festival.
• HDR Corporate Volunteers played a key role in supporting sustainability efforts on-site.

​

One of M3F’s primary goals is to StarvetheLandfillandfill, and this year, the Green Team achieved a 56% waste diversion rate, ensuring that 3.5 tons of waste were redirected from the landfill through proper waste
management channels.

• Composting: 4,520 lbs Thanks to our partners atWaste Management, giving organic waste a second life.
• Comingled Recycling: 2,161 lbs Thanks to our partners at Waste Management, reducing waste sent to the landfill.
• Soft Plastics Recycling: 275 lbs Thanks to our partners at Goodman’s, further preventing plastic pollution.

​

Beyond waste diversion, M3F emphasized environmental education and raising awareness for sustainability, ensuring attendees understood the importance of responsible waste disposal and sustainable practices.

• Volunteer “Bin Guarded” which means they stood at the waste stations to engage with festival goers, educating about what items belong in each bin.
• Our staff collaborated with the 16 food truck vendors to educate them about composting and provided buckets for their compost.
• Our CEO made a stage announcement to share how the festival goers can participate in the festival’s sustainability efforts.
• Information about the festival’s sustainability efforts was provided at the festival Info Booth.

​

This success would not have been possible without the collaboration of our dedicated partners and sustainability champions. A huge thank you to our sustainability champions!

• M3F
• Waste Management
• Wespac Construction
• Keep Phoenix Beautiful
• HDR
• Kirksey Architecture
• Goodmans

Partners: Rachel Blanchard, Don McDougald, Robin Martin, Kirsten Red, Terry Gellenbeck, Mackenzie McGuffie, Catherine Callaway, Jonathan Torres, Josie Kohlan, Penny Czebotar.
​

Green Team Volunteers & Staff: Aimee, Brennan, Eduardo, Emily, Kourtney, Tynan, Muhammad Luthfi, Sumedh, Robert, Tre, Erica, Nic, Hayley, Corey, Chelsey, Jennifer, David, William, Nicoletta, Jenna, Clayton, Ashley, Maya, Nathan, Julia, Tova, Sophia, Samantha, Matthew, Danny, Nicholas, Alexander, Josh, Ava, Jude, Anthony, Xavier, Ryder, Kate, Kat, Whitney, Joseph, Madisen, Alexis, Asa, Ema, Allison, Hailee, Delainey, Dominique, Alyssa, Meghan, Cierra, Nick, Luke, Ribhu, Hitesh, Sana, Aaron, Paris, Paulina, Andrew, Rachel, Wyatt, Carson, Issabelle, Daniel, Priscilla, Kyla, Katherine, Alexandra, Madison, Angelica, Kenna, Ena, Noah, Jenny, Henry, Jullian, Jean, Juan, Jolene, Sarah, Melissa, Evan, Sierra, Borislav, Emeral, Felicia, Gerald, Oliver, Sandra, Wayne, Christopher, Kyleigh, Grace, Sierrah, Blaise, Maria, Jose, Vivica, JennyLynn, Zoe, Makayla, Ryan, Adam, Elizabeth, Valentin, Amber, Alex, Paul, Aurelia, Taryn, Cody, Amin, Shawn, Eric, Kayla, Jarec, Kiel, Milton, Mckenna, Morgan, Mikaela, Demetra, Darian, Waverly, Anne, Anna, Samual, Deja, Chloe, Travis, Jennifur, Alana, Allen, Zach, Courtney, Lyle, Sophie, Lilly, Jonathan, Zitlally, Olivia, Domenic, Noelle, Kaylah, Lou, Megan, Giovanni, Meagan, Miguel, Phillip, Terrilynn, and Erika.​
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M3F continues to set the standard for sustainability in the festival world, proving that large-scale events can be both entertaining and environmentally responsible. With continued support from volunteers, corporate partners like HDR, and dedicated waste management services, we aim to further increase waste diversion rates and educate even more attendees in the coming years. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making M3F 2024 a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable experience!

Author: Clark is a Sustainability major at ASU with an emphasis on energy.
Connect with Clark on LinkedIn.

Sustainability is at the core of the Mesa Marathon. Thanks to the commitment of our Green Team and Brooksee, the event implemented a robust waste management system. This year, through effective recycling and composting, we diverted 4.3 tons of waste from the landfill! The GreenLight Solutions Green Team has collaborated with the marathon for the past four years, and we continue to increase our impact year after year!

• Compostable Waste: Food scraps and compostable materials were collected by R.City and sent to local composting facilities.
• Recyclables: Plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and cardboard were sorted by the Green Team and recycled by City of Mesa Solid Waste Department.
• Waste Reduction: Participants were encouraged to use reusable water bottles and participate in cup-free hydration stations.

We’re proud to partner with organizations such as the City of Mesa Solid Waste Department and Waste Not to ensure our waste management efforts make a lasting difference.
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Beyond sustainability, the Mesa Marathon continues to uplift the community through partnerships and donations. Our collaboration with organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul, R.City, and Paz de Cristo helps provide essential resources to those in need.

• Food Rescue: Surplus food from the event was donated to local shelters and food banks through St. Vincent de Paul and Paz de Cristo.
• Volunteer Support: A dozen volunteers gave their time and energy to ensure that every piece of recyclable and compostable material was sorted in their correct waste streams, guaranteeing their diversion.

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This collective impact would not be possible without the dedication of our partners and volunteers. We extend our deepest gratitude to the following organizations and individuals  who made this year’s impact possible:
Thank You to Our Partners:

• Brooksee
• St. Vincent de Paul
• R.City
• City of Mesa Solid Waste Department
• Waste Not
• Paz de Cristo

Partners: Tyler Monson, Jim Diletosso, Christel Armstrong, James Boman, John Farley, Heather Long, Krystal Macdonald
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Green Team Staff & Volunteers: Felicia, Ashley, Aimee, Brandon, Joseph, Kyleigh, Caitlin, Isabella, Pamela, Matthew, Tynan, Brennan, Jillian, David, Donisha, Eduardo, Lianne, Meagan, Paul, Phillip, Chiara, Elias, Gemini, Gretchen, Jennifer, Michelle, Muhammad, Tre, and Ty

The success of the Mesa Marathon’s sustainability and community support efforts serves as a reminder that small actions can create lasting impact. As we look to future races, we remain committed to reducing our environmental footprint and continuing to uplift our neighbors in need. Together, we run not just for the finish line, but for a greener, brighter future. ​

Author: Clark is a Sustainability major at ASU with an affinity towards 
energy related procedures. Connect with Clark on LinkedIn.

He is exceedingly dedicated to getting his work done 
and very willing to volunteer for any of the 
volunteer shifts greenlight has.

Since then, the Green Team has executed another 23 events in 2024, honings the team’s collective skills and expertise. For the 2024 golf tournament, the Green Team had twelve Green Team staff and volunteers to support on the ground efforts and achieved 57% waste diversion.
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The Green Team executed multiple strategies to maximize waste diversion from the landfill:​

A Hands-On Approach
At the heart of GreenLight Solutions’ impact at the summit were the “boots on the ground”—our team of staff worked to make waste diversion more than just a goal. Each staff stationed themselves near trash bins throughout the venue, helping attendees navigate the world of recycling and composting. With an educational approach, they explained which items of trash belonged in each bin. This both contributed to the achieved waste diversion rate and inspired attendees to take sustainable habits home with them. However, mistakes still occur. Volunteers also took on the crucial task of Top Sorting, or moving items thrown in the wrong bin into the proper one. Then behind the scenes, GreenLight Solutions staff took on the responsibility of completing the full Waste Sort, meaning that they went through every bin from top to bottom to ensure that every item that could be recycled or composted, did!

Partnering for Success 
While GreenLight Solutions led the charge, achieving an 80% waste diversion rate was a collaborative effort that wouldn’t have been possible without supporters. Mill and Waste Management believes in GreenLight Solution’s mission and is dedicated to propelling them forward. With R.City’s expertise in composting, all organic waste collected at the summit was turned into valuable, nutrient-dense compost, reducing landfill use and supporting sustainable agricultural practices in the Phoenix area. The City of Tempe contributed essential recycling and landfill services. Then last, but not least, GreenLight Solutions wouldn’t have had the opportunity to make this impact if it wasn’t for the organization behind the event: Compass CBS Foundation. Thank you to everyone who supported the Green Team and helped to make this impact possible. 
These partnerships went beyond valuable resources—they reflected a shared commitment to sustainability and held a high standard for collaboration in environmental initiatives. Together, they proved that building a sustainable future requires networks of support and expertise beyond individual action. 

Celebrating a Sustainability Successful Model 
The Going Green and Going Smart Summit illustrated what’s possible when a community unites with a commitment to sustainability. Through our Green Event Services, the Green Team showcased that high waste diversion rates aren’t just achievable—they are essential to creating a positive environmental impact. Every piece of compost, recyclable, and educated attendee contributed to the summit’s mission, highlighting that sustainable practices aren't just realistic, but also transformative. 

Author: Kirsten Kierum
Kirsten Kierum is a student at Arizona State University, studying Environmental Engineering. She currently serves as a Nonprofit Development & Communications Intern with GreenLight Solutions and plans to continue being involved for the entirety of her time at ASU and beyond. She is passionate about environmental issues and enjoys working on impactful projects in her community.

As reducing landfill waste helps minimize environmental impact, to #StarvetheLandfill contributes to a healthier community. The sustainability success story celebrated at the Best of Arizona Awards Party serves as a beacon of hope for Arizonans, promising a brighter future for current and future generations.

​Author: Kirsten Kierum
Kirsten Kierum is an environmental engineering student at Arizona State University. She currently serves as a Nonprofit Development and communications Intern with GreenLight Solutions and plans to continue being involved throughout her time at ASU and beyond. She is passionate about environmental issues and enjoys working on impactful projects in her community.