From Church Picnic to Service Carnival: How One Partnership Is Proving That Every Event Can Go Green

​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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Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Picnic & Service Carnival 2026: A Celebration of Community and Stewardship

​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.

The Power of Partnership

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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​📣 Join the Movement

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.