Recycling to the Great Minnesota Get-Together
The Minnesota Beverage Association is proud to support a major expansion of recycling infrastructure at the Minnesota State Fair, making it easier than ever for the nearly 2 million annual visitors to recycle responsibly during the beloved "Great Minnesota Get-Together."
Dramatic Expansion of Recycling Access
In partnership with the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America, we provided a substantial grant to fund the purchase of 260 additional recycling bins for the fairgrounds. These new bins join the existing 435 units and 100 more from the state fair itself, creating an 82 percent increase in recycling capacity across the 320-acre site.
This expansion means that more than half of all waste containers throughout the fairgrounds will now be accompanied by recycling bins, dramatically improving convenience for fairgoers who want to do the right thing for the environment.
Environmental Impact and Data
Past analysis reveals compelling data about recycling behavior at large events. When waste bins are not accompanied by recycling bins, approximately 80 percent of the contents are actually recyclable materials. However, when recycling bins are placed alongside waste containers, this number drops to just 5-10 percent, demonstrating the power of convenient recycling access.
With the State Fair handling more than 1,000 tons of waste material over its 12-day run—approximately 83 tons daily—this expansion has the potential to substantially increase the percentage of material diverted to the recycling stream.
Industry Leadership in Environmental Stewardship
"Minnesota's non-alcoholic beverage industry is proud to support efforts that positively impact the environmental health of our great state," said Tim Wilkin, president of the Minnesota Beverage Association. "Our industry has a record of leading the way on environmental stewardship, as evidenced by our 100 percent recyclable containers and our support for recycling whether you're at home or on the go."
This initiative reflects our industry's commitment to making recycling accessible wherever Minnesotans gather, from everyday convenience through our Message in a Bottle™ program to major community celebrations like the State Fair.
Community Benefits Beyond the Fair
As an added benefit to Minnesota communities, the recycling bins acquired for State Fair use will be made available to organizations and communities around the state for their own events outside of the fair dates. This extends the environmental impact of the investment throughout the year and across Minnesota.
Measuring Success
Sustainability consultants for the fair will analyze the outcomes to determine the impact of this major expansion of recycling infrastructure. This data will help inform future environmental initiatives and demonstrate the effectiveness of strategic recycling placement at large-scale events.
The Minnesota Beverage Association remains committed to environmental stewardship that makes a real difference for Minnesota communities, supporting initiatives that combine convenience with meaningful environmental impact.