Floriade
Floriade is one of Australia’s largest and most diverse spring celebrations, bringing together horticultural displays, cultural events, food, wine, and entertainment to attract nearly half a million visitors each year. With over one million blooms on display, it offers a stunning celebration of the season, showcasing the beauty of spring while promoting sustainability.
Closed Loop has worked with Floriade to manage event waste sustainably for many years, aligning with the ACT Government’s No Waste Policy and consistently improving sustainability and waste management practices.
Total impact:
*at Floriade 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024. Floriade did not run in 2020 and 2021.
“With Closed Loop’s expertise, we continually enhance sustainability and waste reduction practices at our government-led events. It is important we align with the ACT’s No Waste Policy and set an example for other local event organisers. Closed Loop helps us navigate the evolving waste reduction regulations, enabling us to share our knowledge and practices across the ACT industry, while managing our waste reduction and land fill diversion at our annual events.”
- Melanie Eldred
Director of Event Delivery, ACT Government
Closed Loop at Floriade
With sustainability at the focus, Closed Loop’s sustainable event waste management team works with Floriade to maximise waste saved from landfill and improving the overall sustainability of the event.
Vendor collaboration & packaging guidelines
Before the event, vendors receive a framework focused on reducing single-use plastic and promoting sustainable options, along with guidelines for proper waste disposal.
A survey also gathers information on intended packaging materials, and regular audits during the event help ensure proper waste stream processing.
Donations and community impact
Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) bins are placed in high-traffic areas around the Floriade site to encourage attendees to recycle their beverage containers.
Items collected from these bins, as well as materials identified during hand-sorting, are sorted and returned to Return-It. The funds accumulated are then donated to charities chosen by Floriade.
Mindful material usage
Since 2024, a key initiative is the elimination of single-use plastic soft drink bottles. Instead, all beverages that aren’t served in paper cups are served in glass bottles or cans.
While this change doesn’t necessarily reduce the overall volume of waste, it significantly improves the quality of materials being recycled, ensuring that more materials are properly processed in the right streams.
Paper cups recycling
Paper cups can’t be recycled via commingled or regular recycling facilities due to their weight, shape, and waterproof lining. In 2019, Floriade was the first major festival to collect and recycle coffee and paper cups via Simply Cups Australia.
We have since improved our collection processes and attendee education. In 2024, we recycle 172,000+ paper cups that would otherwise be sent to landfill.
Dedicated hand-sorting system
We use strategically placed bins and hand-sort both front- and back-of-house bins to separate recoverable streams from general waste, improving accuracy, reducing contamination, and ensuring proper processing of recyclable materials.
Additionally, we identify over 10 waste streams and collaborate with recycling partners to prevent landfill disposal.
Paper & cardboard management
Effective management of paper and cardboard waste is a key part of Floriade’s waste strategy. These materials can be contaminated when mixed with other waste, hindering recycling.
To prevent contamination and ensure proper recycling, paper and cardboard are collected and baled on-site before being sent directly for processing, streamlining recycling and saving them from landfill.
Over the years
2024
- 79.1% of waste saved from landfill.
- $4,400+ donated through the Return-It program to Roundabout Canberra and the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, with each charity receiving $2,200+.
- 172,000+ paper cups recycled via Simply Cups Australia.
2023
- 76.9% of waste saved from landfill.
- $4,500+ donated through the Return-It program to Roundabout Canberra and the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, with each charity receiving $2,200+.
- 171,000+ paper cups recycled via Simply Cups Australia.
2022
- 71.1% of waste saved from landfill.
- $3,000+ donated through the Return-It program to Raw Potential Youth and See Change Canberra.
- 35,000+ paper cups recycled via Simply Cups Australia.
- In 2022, waste volumes increased significantly due to post-Covid practices and unforeseen weather conditions created challenges in waste management such as contaminated waste streams.
2019
- 82.6% of waste saved from landfill.
- $4,800+ donated through the Return-It program to Lifeline and RSPCA Canberra.
- 95,300+ paper cups recycled via Simply Cups Australia.
Gallery
Our work:
Floriade
Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
Sydney Motorsport Park
Bay Dreams NZ
Canberra Times Night Noodle Markets 2020
