406 Recycling’s Matt Elsaesser developed the PVC-pipe mechanism that encouraged Big Sky PBR attendees to empty and stack their plastic cups, significantly reducing the volume the containers take up. PHOTO BY MATT ELSAESSER
BIG SKY – This July’s Big Sky PBR
was not only a success in terms of turnout and competition, but sustainability
as well, diverting 1,800 pounds of recycling from landfill and nixing single-use
plastic water bottles for eco-friendly alternatives.
And for an event with more than 7,500
total attendees, accumulating only 37 pounds of trash is pretty darn impressive,
according to 406 Recycling’s Matt Elsaesser, who oversaw recycling operations
for PBR.
While cardboard and plastic were
taken to 406 Recycling’s headquarters in Helena, aluminum landed at the
Belgrade branch of Pacific Steel and Recycling. Compostable cups will be ground
up by a local composter to become soil and the 903 pounds of glass captured at
the event will go to a cement plant in Montana City, which uses the crushed
material as a substitute for sand.
“I like glass because it’s an inert
material,” Elsaesser said. “It’s heavy to transport but has a lot of recycling
value,” especially due to the global sand shortage reported by NPR, he added.
Similar to the successful diversion
of plastic cups at the Peak to Sky Festival in earlier in the month, 406
Recycling used PVC pipes to encourage audience members to pour out liquids and
stack their cups upside down, saving on volume and decreasing contaminants collected
with the plastic.
“The quality control we got
recycling was very good,” Elsaesser said. “The cleanup crews set aside
recycling for us to pick up and the vendors were breaking down boxes [to save
on volume].”
As far as Elsaesser knows, he
devised the cup stacking system and it’s unique to 406 Recycling.
“One neat thing is when you look
back at those volumes, there wasn’t a lot of plastic bottles,” Elsaesser said.
That was deliberate, according to
Outlaw Partners Media and Events Director Ersin Ozer.
“Our goal [was] to significantly reduce single-use plastic water bottles at our events this summer, and we partnered with local community leaders to find solutions,” Ozer said.
In lieu of plastic water bottles,
Outlaw teamed up with the Gallatin River Task Force, Big Sky Rotary Club and
Montana Silver Springs to provide aluminum, reusable water bottles for both
Peak to Sky and Big Sky PBR.
Together, GRTF and Rotary organized
and ordered 900 28-ounce h2go Surge aluminum refillable water bottles, which
were sold near water refill stations at both events by the organizations’
representatives.
“The Gallatin River Task Force was
thrilled to partner with Rotary on this important issue of sustainability for
our community,” GRTF Director of Development Ryan Newcomb said. “Sustainable
solutions are key to water conservation efforts and both protecting and
stewarding the Gallatin Watershed as a whole.”
Blair Mohn, secretary of the Big
Sky chapter of Rotary and chair of the organization’s sustainability committee,
was excited the water bottles came together so quickly and thinks more can be
done in Big Sky.
“People want sustainability here,”
Mohn said, adding that working with Outlaw to supply the water bottles is just
one of many steps rotary intends to carry out to push forward green initiatives
in the local community. “People want to preserve the integrity of Big Sky’s
natural beauty.”
Montana Silver Springs, based in
Philipsburg, Montana, also donated 50 cases of their aluminum bottled
water—1,200 bottles—for Outlaw’s summer events.
Nolan and Cathy Smith have bottled
beer in aluminum resealable bottles since opening Philipsburg Brewing Co. in
2012, but began bottling high-alkali spring water in the same style of
containers in Oct. 2018.
“I just think it’s important to
raise people’s awareness about plastic in our environment and if our bottles
are [at these events], it puts the issue at the forefront of people’s minds,”
Smith said in June.
Aluminum has the only true closed loop recycling process, meaning that aluminum cans can be melted down and made into new aluminum cans indefinitely, rendering it one of the most versatile recycling materials out there.
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
August 12 (Monday) 6:00 pm - October 21 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description
Event Details
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description information. Please wear layers, bring water and snacks. Bear spray recommended.
Time
August 19 (Monday) 9:00 am - October 21 (Monday) 12:00 pm
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm - October 28 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be
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Event Details
Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be taught by a variety of teachers from Santosha and BASE. This summer all proceeds will go to Big Sky Band-Aid, aside from the first one on the 26th that is happening during Pride week- all funds donated for that class will go to Big Sky OUT. A delicious lunch will also be served by Gourmet Gals following our practice each Wednesday (included in donation). You are welcome to donate with cash at the event or you can Venmo @Santoshabigsky and make a note for Community Yoga. Hope to see you in the Park!
Time
August 21 (Wednesday) 12:00 pm - October 21 (Monday) 1:00 pm