From Playland and The Fair to indoor and outdoor year-round events, the staff at the PNE are committed to improving the PNE’s environmental footprint and making sustainability investment a top priority. We even have a full time Sustainability Captain on staff!

Here’s a few of the environmental strides that we’ve made:

• On Wednesday August 27, 2014, we had our first attempt at a zero waste day during The Fair. With support from Vancity and their community partners we were able to divert 95% of that day’s waste from the landfill.
• During The 2013 Fair, we diverted over 17 tonnes of pre-consumer food waste from the landfill, and collected and recycled 175 tonnes of animal waste and shavings from our agriculture department.
• In 2014, 75 new waste diversion stations were added throughout Playland and the PNE Fairgrounds to increase our annual waste diversion rates.
• 20,000 fluorescent tubes and incandescent light bulbs were saved from the landfill, and turned into recyclable glass and capturing bulb glass.
• Food waste, scrap metal and garden waste are all collected and recycled by our staff to divert all of these items from the landfill.
• We are a member of ClimateSmart, which measures and monitors for the purpose of reducing the our carbon footprint and environmental impact.
• Used grease from many sources, including the oil used to cook Mini Donuts, is collected and recycled.
• Non-recyclable food plastics and Styrofoam have been banned on site and we require any vendor coming to Hastings Park to use only compostable and recyclable containers.
• We are a member of Green Sports Alliance where we share and gain sustainable information with other facilities.
• Low flow toilets and automatic faucets were installed in the Pacific Coliseum and PNE Forum to reduce water usage.

We are on a journey to zero waste. That statement is HUGE, it extends throughout our buildings, our parks and our annual attractions, and it’s one that we’re proud of and working hard towards.