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Tens of thousands of runners packed the streets of Tempe this April to honor a lasting legacy, and the GreenLight Solutions Green Team was right there with them. The 22nd Annual Pat’s Run, presented by TEK, brought together community, purpose, and a whole lot of heart. We’re happy to share the impact we made together. Greening the 22nd Annual Pat’s Run
The Numbers Are InMonths of planning, hours of sorting, and a lot of teamwork added up to real results at Pat’s Run 2026:
How We Pulled It OffImpact at this scale doesn’t happen by accident. Our 2026 Pat’s Run game plan leaned on six core initiatives to Starve the Landfill:
Behind every bin and every bag is a team of people making the right choice, the easy choice for tens of thousands of runners and spectators. A Big Thank You to Our ChampionsNone 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. Powered by Our Green TeamThese 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. Ready to Join the Movement?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.
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GreenLight Solutions, set its sights on Sedona early Saturday morning. Families gathered for the day's festivities, including egg hunts, activities, and food. Prior to the event starting, the Green Team set up each waste station and helped attendees properly dispose of their waste. As the event continued GreenLight Solutions ensured the grounds remained spotless. What we Accomplished: The Green Team worked hard to divert 90% of waste from the landfills through reusable utensils and dishware, recycling, Easter egg donations for reuse, composting, waste sorting, and litter pickup.  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. The Skyfire Film Festival is a celebration of creativity, storytelling, and community — and in 2026, it was also a celebration of sustainability. Held March 27th–29th at the ASU MIX Center and Beth Hebrew Synagogue in Mesa, Arizona, this three-day conference brought together 500 attendees passionate about independent film and the arts. GreenLight Solutions (GLS) was proud to bring our Green Team to Skyfire, working alongside our sustainability partners to keep as much waste as possible out of the landfill. What We AccomplishedThree 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.
The GreenLight Mission in ActionGreenLight 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. Get InvolvedHosting 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 [email protected]. Want to make a difference at events like Skyfire? Volunteer for the Green Team!
GreenLight Solutions, for the first time ever, spearheaded sustainability efforts at the Red Bull Showrun this year in Phoenix. This was a giant race of many cars, attended by thousands of people, and GreenLight Solutions was there to make a deep impact.  GreenLight Solutions at the Mesa Marathon: Five Years of Supporting Sustainability in Sports2/14/2026
GreenLight Solutions at Oktoberfest: How Waste Diversion is Shaping the Future of Festivals11/20/2025
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
Despite intense weather—including microbursts and heavy rain—our team powered through. In total, we diverted nearly 21 tons of CO₂, the equivalent of:
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 at the Best of Arizona Gala: Celebrating Sustainability Through Action11/19/2025  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:
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.
Event Date: October 23, 2025 GreenLight Solutions proudly supported the third annual Going Green Summit, hosted by the Compass CBS Foundation, achieving an impressive 79% waste diversion rate. This year’s summit brought together founders, leaders, and community members who are passionate about sustainability—and ready to take meaningful action. Panel Discussion: Inspiring Everyday Sustainability GreenLight Solutions’ CEO, Ashley Weisman, shared practical ways individuals can integrate sustainability into daily life. One example she highlighted was the power of shopping local, which not only supports the community but also reduces transportation emissions and resource use. Ashley emphasized that small, consistent choices—when made collectively—create a measurable environmental impact.
Innovation at the Heart of SustainabilityLong-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.
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.
 Green Living Magazine and GreenLight Solutions Green Team is thrilled to celebrate another sustainability milestone— achieving 78% waste diversion at The Future of Sustainability 2025. This accomplishment is a testament to what’s possible when collaboration, passion, and purpose come together.
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: 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. By the Numbers: A Community Effort
Waste Diversion Success: 56% Kept Out of LandfillsOne 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.
Educating for a Sustainable FutureBeyond waste diversion, M3F emphasized environmental education and raising awareness for sustainability, ensuring attendees understood the importance of responsible waste disposal and sustainable practices.
Thank You to Our Partners!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! 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. Looking AheadM3F 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.
One youth Solutioneer reflected, “It was great to be able to once again be in the sustainability space as a non-student, especially with these resources and support,”' capturing the program’s ability to empower participants regardless of their academic status." Guided by GreenLight’s structured project cycle and supported by dedicated Solutioneer Mentors and Project Partners alike, participants developed creative solutions and delivered impactful results—all within a condensed timeline of just seven weeks and fourteen workshops! It was no small feat, and their achievements are something to be celebrated. Mobilizing Change with Third Act The first project team partnered with Third Act, an organization committed to mobilizing Americans over 60 to take meaningful climate action. The team’s challenge was to engage this demographic in a way that inspired participation and fostered community outreach. Through thoughtful research and creative problem-solving, the team developed and distributed 20 visually engaging posters and proposed 10 specific and actionable strategies to promote civic engagement in climate action and democracy locally. By tailoring event ideas to align with Third Act’s values, they created a roadmap for impactful community mobilization. Along the way, the students gained valuable experience in outreach, communication, and innovative problem-solving, making a lasting impact on the organization and their own skill sets.
The team adopted a few different approaches, including digital marketing and in-person engagement. They connected with community members at a local farmers’ market and reached out to green businesses through targeted email campaigns. Their efforts laid the groundwork for securing 6+ new subscriptions, a testament to their strategic thinking and dedication. This project emphasized the importance of clear communication and adaptability when working towards sustainability goals. Building Momentum with WormLab Community Initiative As one of two WormLab teams, this community initiative focused on promoting its pilot program and building strategic partnerships. This project presented an exciting opportunity to help WormLab effectively communicate its vision for revolutionizing composting systems. The team crafted 1 infographic illustrating the WormLab process, 1 digital pitch deck showcasing the program’s benefits, and 1 feedback survey for continuous improvement. They also developed 1 prospect list of potential partners, equipping WormLab with the tools to expand its reach. By diving deep into the organization’s mission and translating it into compelling materials, the students enhanced their skills in stakeholder engagement and effective storytelling. Innovating for Municipal Partnerships with WormLab Inground Innovators The WormLab Inground Innovators team took on a project to help WormLab foster partnerships with municipalities for advancing closed-loop composting systems. Their challenge was to clearly convey WormLab’s value to municipal stakeholders. Through research and first-hand experience with a food recycler, the team created 1 detailed pitch deck and 1 engaging video to demonstrate how the program aligns with municipal sustainability goals. This polished presentation will serve as a key tool in WormLab’s efforts to build meaningful partnerships. The project underscored the importance of aligning values, refining messaging, and effectively presenting ideas to diverse audiences.
Throughout this Bootcamp, students experienced the full arc of GreenLight’s project cycle—from initial research and strategy development to delivering tangible solutions. Each team tackled unique challenges, collaborated effectively, and delivered meaningful results for their Project Partners. Whether they were creating outreach strategies, developing marketing tools, or aligning organizational goals with sustainability values, these students showcased creativity, perseverance, and dedication. This experience also demonstrated the power of networking and collaboration, as one Solutioneer was invited to join a youth panel at a Third Act event featuring renowned figures Bill McKibben and Rebecca Solnit during their Silver Wave Tour.
This Bootcamp wasn’t just about sustainability—it was about growth, learning, and making real-world impact. The students have much to be proud of, and their work is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. Here’s to another successful season of GreenLight Bootcamp projects, and to the bright futures of these talented participants and impactful organizations! As a sustainability volunteer with GreenLight Solutions, I recently had the opportunity to help with a very special mission: Maximize waste diversion at VIVA Phoenix! Our Green Team was ready to achieve this mission through recycling, composting, and raising awareness.
As the music played, we alternated between shifts of Waste Sorting and Bin Guarding. Volunteering at a music festival brought together two things I love—live music and environmental action. By picking up litter and raising awareness, I felt like we were creating a cleaner, greener space for everyone to enjoy. However, it wasn’t all hard work; there were plenty of perks to being a Green Team member:
4. Personal Growth and New Skills: Being part of the Green Team pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me a lot about communicating with people from all walks of life. I learned to speak confidently about waste reduction and sustainability, which is something I’ll carry into future experiences. 5. A Lasting Cultural Shift: Festivals like VIVA Phoenix bring thousands of people together. When they see volunteers making a positive environmental impact, it leaves a lasting impression. Many people told us they were inspired to start recycling or composting more because of what they learned from us.  As the festival wrapped up, our Green Team gathered to celebrate our successes. We’d made a visible difference, and the festival grounds were noticeably cleaner. Knowing we’d helped divert waste and educate the public made every moment worth it. We left VIVA Phoenix feeling empowered, knowing our efforts contributed to a cleaner, greener festival experience and a more informed community. The Green Team delivered and the Valley of the Sun reaped the benefits. Author: Ty Cowie
Ty Cowie is a freshman attending Arizona State University studying Manufacturing Engineering. Ty is a Green Event Service Assistant with GreenLight Solution with the purpose of trying to be a part of something that is impactful to the community and to learn what it takes to run a non-profit. Ty is interested in the environment and sustainability on how to change current world problems.
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. The Green Team executed multiple strategies to maximize waste diversion from the landfill:
Our impact
Thank You To Our Partners!
And of course, thank you to our Green Team staff and volunteers! None of this would be possible without the boots on the ground doing the dirty work to execute our waste diversion strategy on site. Cheers to another successful Leslie’s Charity Golf Tournament. May 2025 achieve our highest diversion yet. 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.
 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.  Green Event Services at GreenLight Solutions has one main goal: #StarvetheLandfill. For an event to be considered “zero waste,” a 90% average diversion rate is typically required. It is safe to say that our mission was accomplished! We proudly report that the Green Team achieved 90% waste diversion from the landfill. But how did the Green Team make this happen? Many different things are required to maximize waste diversion potential. GreenLight Solutions works hard to strategize how to make events as low waste as possible, but new heights can be reached when the event hosts truly care about sustainability. Green Living Magazine was dedicated to making their Best of Arizona Awards Party event sustainable. They had multiple pre-event calls and site visits with the Green Team to ensure that the most efficient Waste Diversion protocol was in place. Green Living Magazine also committed to Sustainable Sourcing by choosing porcelain, reusable dishware, and recyclable wine glasses. Whatever couldn’t be reused or recycled was compostable. “From planning waste diversion logistics to the sourcing of sustainable materials, sustainability was at the forefront of Green Living Magazine’s event planning, and not an afterthought.” Of course, this would not have been possible if it wasn’t for those who support the Green Team. None of what was accomplished would be possible without all these people and organizations working together in their care for the planet.
 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.  It was scorching out in the middle of October. Maybe I have a bias because I am from Washington, but it should not be over 100 degrees in October! However, the heat reminded us of why we came out to volunteer in the first place. Arizona was already hot, but it is just going to get hotter as conditions worsen due to climate change. Climate change and other environmental issues are complex problems. These are problems stretched across our global system, with multiple stakeholders and interconnected causes, effects, and solutions.
When I started my internship with GreenLight Solutions, I simultaneously began working with the Next Generation Service Corps (NGSC) at Arizona State University. NGSC’s goal is to teach students how to solves complex issues through cross-sectoral collaboration. This year I am the lead of Mission Team 22: Environmental Sustainability. Mission teams are groups of students in NGSC who have a passion for a particular social mission, and then work on projects to make a positive impact by learning, networking, volunteering, and planning impactful events. One of my goals for our mission team was to connect with as many environmentalists as possible in the Tempe area; so my internship with GreenLight Solutions was the perfect opportunity! The Green Team was recruiting volunteers, and my mission team was looking for opportunities to get involved with sustainability initiatives; so this was a perfect match to partner the two organizations. I brought members from my NGSC mission team to volunteer with me during the 3 days of Oktoberfest. I didn’t realize it then, but this was the perfect example of how cross-sectoral collaboration can be implemented at a large-scale event that targets environmental sustainability.
Four Peaks Oktoberfest is a collaboration between Tempe Sister Cities and Four Peaks Brewing. These two groups partnered with dozens of vendors and organizations and came together to create a memorable event for the community. For the past two years, Tempe Sister Cities also partnered with GreenLight Solutions to showcase its Commitment to Sustainability. GreenLight Solutions brought its whole network of passionate collaborators to maximize waste diversion from the landfill. This partnership means that the maximum amount of fun doesn’t need to come at the expense of the environment. The Green Team consisted of 38 volunteers and 51 staff members responsible for the on-site Waste Sorting, Attendee Education, and Custodial Services. The Green Team met people where they were, whether they just wanted a weekend job, needed volunteer hours, or were already passionate about sustainability. The Green Team is made possible through collaborations with Mill, Waste Management, Phoenix Toolbank Equipment, R.City, City of Tempe, and ROTC.  The Green Team rescued these valuable resources:
Overall, the Green Team recycled 6,800 pounds and composted 1,030 pounds. This is equivalent to 11 tons of CO2 emissions avoided, which is around 29,000 miles driven and 735,000 smartphones charged! In three days alone, GreenLight Solutions created a space where cross-sectoral collaborations solved complex challenges and made a direct impact. Thank you to all of those who made this possible. 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. At GreenLight Solutions, we are committed to fostering environmental stewardship through innovative educational programs. Our Greenlight Bootcamp is one such initiative that empowers students to tackle real-world sustainability challenges. This Summer, two dynamic teams, Project Team MAMYY and Project Team Sams, embarked on inspiring projects to promote residential composting in South Scottsdale. Here’s a closer look at their journey, strategies, and impactful outcomes. Project Team MAMYY: Boosting Residential Composting  Challenges:
Project Team MAMYY faced the pressing issue of low composting participation and excessive food waste in South Scottsdale. Solution: Their goal was to acquire 15 new customers for residential composting services by a set deadline.  As a student attending the Living For a New Age event in April, I had no idea how beneficial this event was going to be.
A little back story on what this event was, Living For a New Age is a meeting where multiple companies, eco-leaders, environmentalists, and changemakers come together to discuss their business ideas, what they’re implementing, and changing to complete one common goal, making our world a greener and cleaner place to live.  Ashley Weisman, Executive Director of GreenLight Solutions, was interviewed by Kim Coates from LocalFi about her passion for sustainability and GLS. Weisman shares her experience and insights from her years of working with GreenLIght Solutions and more!
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