Join Ulster County in going Zero-Waste at fairs, festivals, and public events!
Green the Scene 2026
The
Green the Scene event program will be returning in 2026! Stay tuned for more updates. If you have questions, reach out to
Brendan Walsh, Environmental Outreach Manager, at
bwal@ulstercountyny.gov.
In 2025, Green the Scene supported six events over the festival season, reaching an estimated 15,000 attendees in New Paltz, Rosendale, Woodstock, Kingston, and Saugerties. The program diverted 50% of all waste produced at these events, equating to several tons of organic material rescued from landfills. All told, Green the Scene contributed to thousands of opportunities to educate the public on zero-waste practices and the County’s recycling goals and helped some of the County’s biggest festivals take the first steps towards fully sustainable event management.
Green the Scene 2025
Ulster County is proud to launch Green the Scene: We Are Zero-Waste Bound!, a new grant program designed to support and encourage sustainable event practices that reduce waste and promote environmental stewardship across the County.
Through this initiative, municipalities and nonprofit organizations hosting fairs, festivals, and community events can apply for reimbursement grants of up to $2,000 per event to cover expenses such as:
- Purchasing zero waste supplies such as bins, compostable bags, compostable service ware, cleaning supplies, etc.
- Hauling and composting services
- Hiring a dedicated Zero Waste Coordinator
Selected grantees will also receive County-branded marketing assistance to promote their sustainability efforts and can request collection bins and bags, supplied by the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency.
Fund recipients will be required to use an Ulster County Green the Scene tent, display branded signage at their zero-waste stations to promote the County’s efforts for a clean environment and sustainability, and file a final report detailing attendance and waste diversion rates.
Eligibility & Application
Eligible applicants include municipalities, nonprofits (501c3 or c6), community organizations, and event organizers hosting public-facing events in Ulster County — such as fairs, festivals, town-wide events, and maker shows. Organizations without nonprofit status must have fiscal sponsorship by a 501c3 or 501c6.
Events must take place in Ulster County and include a clear plan for waste diversion. Priority will be given to events with strong public outreach, partnerships with compost vendors or haulers, and those implementing Zero Waste policies.
Applications for the Green the Scene program are open through Monday, June 30, for events taking place during the 2025 season, with rolling acceptance continuing until all funds have been allocated. The grant program is supported by a $25,000 allocation in the 2025 County Budget.
Applicants must complete an online application, submit a budget for their Zero Waste initiative, and provide a summary of their waste diversion plan.
For additional criteria and technical assistance, please refer to the Ulster County Zero Waste Toolkit.
For questions about the application or required documentation for reimbursement, contact Kristin Shufeldt at krsh@co.ulster.ny.us or (845) 340-3566.
Steps to 'Greening Your Scene' and Becoming a Zero Hero
- Tier 1: Diverters - In this Tier, you are setting up an event waste collection system to separate and divert food waste away from the landfill.
- Tier 2: Eco-Conscious Entertainers - In this Tier, in addition to a food diversion collection system, you are making some steps towards changing the kinds of products used to serve food or sales items at festivals.
- Tier 3: Cradle to Gravers - In this Tier, you have passed and are enforcing a policy that all vendors at your event use compostable disposables for food and sales packaging. Your vendors consider the impact of their serving ware from cradle to grave.
- Tier 4: Zero Heroes - In this Tier, you are exploring options for using reusable and washable products for serving food as well as a system for distributing, collecting, and washing the serving ware.
Ulster County is ready to partner with you to determine your current Tier status and support you in advancing further, should you choose to do so!
Join Ulster County in going Zero-Waste at fairs, festivals, and public events!
Green the Scene 2026
The
Green the Scene event program will be returning in 2026! Stay tuned for more updates. If you have questions, reach out to
Brendan Walsh, Environmental Outreach Manager, at
bwal@ulstercountyny.gov.
In 2025, Green the Scene supported six events over the festival season, reaching an estimated 15,000 attendees in New Paltz, Rosendale, Woodstock, Kingston, and Saugerties. The program diverted 50% of all waste produced at these events, equating to several tons of organic material rescued from landfills. All told, Green the Scene contributed to thousands of opportunities to educate the public on zero-waste practices and the County’s recycling goals and helped some of the County’s biggest festivals take the first steps towards fully sustainable event management.
Green the Scene 2025
Ulster County is proud to launch Green the Scene: We Are Zero-Waste Bound!, a new grant program designed to support and encourage sustainable event practices that reduce waste and promote environmental stewardship across the County.
Through this initiative, municipalities and nonprofit organizations hosting fairs, festivals, and community events can apply for reimbursement grants of up to $2,000 per event to cover expenses such as:
- Purchasing zero waste supplies such as bins, compostable bags, compostable service ware, cleaning supplies, etc.
- Hauling and composting services
- Hiring a dedicated Zero Waste Coordinator
Selected grantees will also receive County-branded marketing assistance to promote their sustainability efforts and can request collection bins and bags, supplied by the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency.
Fund recipients will be required to use an Ulster County Green the Scene tent, display branded signage at their zero-waste stations to promote the County’s efforts for a clean environment and sustainability, and file a final report detailing attendance and waste diversion rates.
Eligibility & Application
Eligible applicants include municipalities, nonprofits (501c3 or c6), community organizations, and event organizers hosting public-facing events in Ulster County — such as fairs, festivals, town-wide events, and maker shows. Organizations without nonprofit status must have fiscal sponsorship by a 501c3 or 501c6.
Events must take place in Ulster County and include a clear plan for waste diversion. Priority will be given to events with strong public outreach, partnerships with compost vendors or haulers, and those implementing Zero Waste policies.
Applications for the Green the Scene program are open through Monday, June 30, for events taking place during the 2025 season, with rolling acceptance continuing until all funds have been allocated. The grant program is supported by a $25,000 allocation in the 2025 County Budget.
Applicants must complete an online application, submit a budget for their Zero Waste initiative, and provide a summary of their waste diversion plan.
For additional criteria and technical assistance, please refer to the Ulster County Zero Waste Toolkit.
For questions about the application or required documentation for reimbursement, contact Kristin Shufeldt at krsh@co.ulster.ny.us or (845) 340-3566.
Steps to 'Greening Your Scene' and Becoming a Zero Hero
- Tier 1: Diverters - In this Tier, you are setting up an event waste collection system to separate and divert food waste away from the landfill.
- Tier 2: Eco-Conscious Entertainers - In this Tier, in addition to a food diversion collection system, you are making some steps towards changing the kinds of products used to serve food or sales items at festivals.
- Tier 3: Cradle to Gravers - In this Tier, you have passed and are enforcing a policy that all vendors at your event use compostable disposables for food and sales packaging. Your vendors consider the impact of their serving ware from cradle to grave.
- Tier 4: Zero Heroes - In this Tier, you are exploring options for using reusable and washable products for serving food as well as a system for distributing, collecting, and washing the serving ware.
Ulster County is ready to partner with you to determine your current Tier status and support you in advancing further, should you choose to do so!
Ulster County Green the Scene Zero Waste Toolkit.pdf (414 KB) (pdf)
