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.
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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