Sustainability Success at Four Peaks Oktoberfest 2023

​This Fall, GreenLight Solutions seized a golden opportunity to lead waste diversion and recycling services at the Four Peaks Oktoberfest. Originating in Germany, Oktoberfest has evolved into a global celebration marked by beer festivals and lively carnivals. This year's event unfolded at Tempe Town Lake, attracting a staggering 50,000 enthusiastic attendees. At the heart of the environmental stewardship efforts was GreenLight Solutions and its Green Team who were dedicated to upholding sustainable practices at the event. Their efficient bin management maximized recycling, showcasing GreenLight's commitment to sustainability. Beyond the festival, the team successfully handled post-event cleanup, engaging attendees to promote lasting environmental consciousness. Green Light Solutions is proud to share that the event had a diversion rate of 32% and 3.7 tons of recyclable materials were diverted from landfill.

​On behalf of GreenLight Solutions, we’d like to thank Tempe Sister Cities and our other event partners for making this impact possible. Each participant played a pivotal role in ensuring these efforts towards sustainability and waste diversion at the Four Peaks Oktoberfest.

​To learn more about GreenLight Solutions experience at the Four Peaks Oktoberfest, we interviewed Green Team member, Emma Ewoniuk

Q: What was your role and responsibilities atthe Four Peaks Oktoberfest Event? 
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“My role and responsibilities at the four peaks oktoberfest was that I was a green team volunteer, I was sorting trash, making sure that the trash went in the trash bin, and recycling in the recycling bin. If a cup was in the wrong bin, I used my grabbers and put the cup in the correct bin! I also educated community members on what goes in each bin, and started engaging community members in educational conversations. As a green team volunteer, I also made sure the ground was clean of trash, as well as table tops. I also made sure the bins had signage on them, that way community members were able to understand where their trash went when a green team member was not around.”

Q: How do you feel your contributions made a positive impact?

“I really do feel that my contributions made a difference. I was constantly busy, going in circles and making sure the bins were sorted correctly and every time I went to each bin there was AT LEAST one piece of trash that was in the wrong bin. I also feel that I educated people on recycling, and why recyclables are recycled.”

Q: Do you think the Green Team’s work inspired others to get involved in recycling and waste diversion efforts?

“I really do, I think with the bright vests, people were very aware that there were people at the festival that care and are making a difference at this event and in the world everyday. It was hard to miss us cleaning up and sorting through trash! Also I think that the people who were educated really helped people for future recycling!”​

Green Team Members

Ashley Weisman
Tynan Hartzell
Shawn Soward
Dietrich McGaffey
Kiah Kristine
Dawn Ratcliffe
Felicia Shupp
Kyleigh Brown
Collins Carrington
Taylor McMahon
​Joe Weeks
Maria Feliciano
Nate Roberts
Ruben Jerez
Clove Peters
Roberto Osorio
Pradhi Gupta
Adam Stutzman
Gemini Boudrie
Justin Weisman
Ashley McPhetridge
Kennisha Johnson
Samantha Campbell
Brian Pierce
Moira Clancy
Autumn Salava
Lee Bardon
Bloom Sanchez
​ Jeff Underdown

Bori Tsonchev
Joseph Kovacs
Aimee Marcinko
Robert Ciafullo
Caitlin Squires
Emmalyn Laurenson
Matt Koester
Michelle Coyle
Larissa Santamaria
Yasmin Calderon Feliciano
Jimena Calderon
Keilani Cruz
Sabrina Sterenfeld
Sydney O’Connor
Emma Ewoniuk
Michael Glowatski
Danny Morgan
Tripti Basant
Jay Cruz
Joe Boudrie
Trenton Thompson
Srinath Manoharan
Caroline Savalle
Sophia Savalle
Holly Sarkissian
Emma Nelson
Molly Mazinter
Evelyn Adkins
Anirudh Diwakar
​ Alex Mateo

Event Partners

Tempe Sister Cities: Tempe Sister Cities is a non-profit organization that's dedicated to facilitating programs that promote global goodwill and cultural understanding. They hold various fundraisers, like the Four Peaks Oktoberfest, to support their efforts and other charitable works.

City of Tempe: City of Tempe is the government organization that oversees and manages the general Tempe area. Various departments, like the Municipal Utilities department, ensures clean water, waste management, and other sustainable practices at great events, like the Four Peaks Oktoberfest, held at Tempe Town Lake.

Western Productions: Western Productions is a local event production company that can provide services, including power, sound, lighting, fire and water, for a wide variety of events.

Phoenix ToolBank: The Phoenix Toolbank lends organizations supplies and tools for various projects. This enhances volunteering efforts and impacts in Phoenix by equipping organizations with the supplies they need. 

Author: Sydney O’Connor
Sydney O’Connor is a senior at Arizona State University studying sustainability. She is currently the Green Events Program Assistant Intern focusing on coordinating green events services like the waste diversion efforts seen at the Four Peaks Oktoberfest.