waste reduction
Waste Reduction: Keeping Our Community Clean
Each year, we strive to make Salmonfest even better—more music, more art, more fish, more love! As Alaska’s largest festival, we’re also committed to reducing our environmental impact. That’s why we’ve teamed up with our neighbors in Ninilchik and local community groups to focus on waste reduction.
“From the start, we’ve taken significant steps to reduce waste at the festival,” says Salmonfest Producer Jim Stearns. “The reusable cups in the beer gardens aren’t just collectible—they eliminate the need for thousands of single-use cups.”
Festival-goers will once again see Waste Diversion Stations throughout the grounds. These stations pair recycling and compost bins with every trash can, each staffed by a dedicated volunteer to help attendees properly sort their materials—whether it’s compostable food scraps and paper plates or recyclable water bottles and aluminum cans.
Recyclables like plastic and aluminum will be processed through the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s existing recycling program, while compostable materials will be transformed into nutrient-rich soil.
Want to be part of the solution? Join the Zero Waste Crew! Volunteers who work a 4-hour shift receive free admission for the day and a staff shirt as a thank-you for helping make Salmonfest a greener, cleaner celebration. Email volunteers@salmonfestalaska.org for more info.
Salmonfest 2024 Diversion Success: A Step Towards Zero Waste
Our trash and recycling team WeGenerative, produced this report detailing the significant waste diversion efforts undertaken at Salmonfest 2024, demonstrating the festival’s continued commitment to reducing its environmental impact and keeping our community clean. WeGenerative, in collaboration with local partners and dedicated festival volunteers, diverted 35% of all Salmonfest waste from the landfill. This achievement involved sorting and saving waste for composting and recycling.
The success of the 2024 waste diversion program was made possible through the efforts of WeGenerative, dedicated staff, enthusiastic volunteers, the ethos of Salmonfest organizers and the local community. This report highlights the positive impact of these collaborative efforts in moving Salmonfest towards its zero waste goals.