​What does it look like when sustainability isn't just a buzzword — but a practice woven into the fabric of a community? It looks like families at a church picnic tossing apple cores into compost bins with a smile. It looks like sorting stations humming with purpose at a Service Carnival. It looks like a Green Team showing up, again and again, for the people and the planet they love. 

We are so proud to share the story of two back-to-back sustainability victories — the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Annual Picnic and the Service Carnival 2026 — powered by the GreenLight Solutions Green Team, our incredible partners, and a shared belief that every event is an opportunity to do better for the Earth. 
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​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|
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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. 
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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 [email protected]. For every $1 donated, 1 lb is taken out of the landfill.

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

There's something special about watching a community celebrate a milestone the right way — with music, food trucks, dancing in the dirt, and a whole lot of care for the planet underneath everyone's feet. On May 30th, the City of Sedona marked the 10-Year Anniversary of the Red Dirt Concert Series with an all-day festival at Posse Grounds Pavilion, and the Green Team was honored to be there, making sure the celebration left the red rocks just as beautiful as they found them.

We're proud to share that together, we diverted 89% of festival waste from the landfill — a number that still gives us goosebumps every time we say it out loud.

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 

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It sounds simple. It is simple. And that's exactly the point — sustainability doesn't have to be complicated to be powerful.
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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. 
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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.
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• 🙋 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 [email protected] 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.

What does the future of sustainability look like? 

At Green Living Magazine's The Future of Sustainability 2026, it looked like a community coming together to learn, collaborate, and take meaningful action toward a greener future. 

The event brought together sustainability-focused businesses, organizations, and community members committed to exploring innovative solutions and practical ways to create positive environmental impact. While attendees engaged with exhibitors and educational opportunities throughout the day, GreenLight Solutions' Green Team worked behind the scenes to ensure the event itself reflected the sustainability values being promoted.

Through recycling, composting, waste sorting, soft plastics recycling, and attendee education, the event achieved an impressive 90% diversion rate, demonstrating what is possible when sustainability is intentionally integrated into event operations. 

For our team, this accomplishment represents more than a statistic. It reflects the collective effort of event organizers, exhibitors, attendees, volunteers, and sustainability partners who all played a role in keeping valuable materials out of the landfill.
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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. 
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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 [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

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

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. 

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.

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
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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.

​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 [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.​

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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​​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.
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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.
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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.
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• 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
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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.​
​

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.

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.

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:

• Composting: R.City composted all food, paper, and compostable materials to create nutrient-rich soil for local farmers across Arizona.
• Recycling: City of Tempe recycled all glass, cardboard, metal, and hard plastic.
• Repurposing: Instead of sending pallets to the landfill, the City of Tempe repurposed them to be used for local firefighter training.

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.