Greening the Cincinnati Coffee Festival

The Ohio River Foundation has been advocating for, protecting, and educating about the importance of a clean environment and clean waterways for over 25 years. We have educated more than 70,000 students since 2005, restored miles of rivers and hundreds of acres of habitat, and continue to protect water quality for millions of people in the Ohio River Watershed. Please join us in continuing this narrative and help us grow the Cincinnati Coffee Festival to be the most environmentally responsible festival in the country!

Greening the Cincinnati Coffee Festival is an initiative to reach zero waste and ultimately become the most environmentally conscious festival in America! In support of this initiative, Ohio River Foundation has reduced printing waste by using cardboard backed signage instead of foam core, increased use of electronic communications instead of mailers, and is engaging the community through education and volunteerism. With your help, we can also divert high levels of both recyclable and compostable materials from entering our landfills.

Since 2019, Cincinnati Coffee Festival has been taking steps to drastically reduce its landfill-bound waste. In 2024, Cincinnati Coffee Festival’s composting efforts collected an estimated 3,045 lbs. (768 gallons!) of compostable materials and food waste. The composting efforts at the Cincinnati Coffee Festival in 2024 converted 3,045 pounds of waste into compost, preventing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to driving over 2,000 miles. Another way to look at it, the compost produced at our festival can enrich up to 768 square feet of gardens or farms, promoting healthier plant growth, and reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers.

At our festival, you will notice that our “waste hubs” have three different categories: compost, recycling, and landfill. When visiting our festival, please be sure to look for these “waste hubs” and sort your waste properly. Don’t worry; we will have signs nearby to guide you!

Compost

What we compost at Cincinnati Coffee Festival:

• • ALL food waste
  • Coffee grounds
  • Wooden skewers and utensils
  • Non-coated paper plates, napkins, and cups
  • All sampling products

All festival generated compostables are sent to GoZERO, a Food Waste Compost Courier, for industrial compost processing.

Recycle

What we will recycle at the Cincinnati Coffee Festival:

• • Plastic and glass bottles and jugs
  • Aluminum cans
  • Paperboard and cardboard
  • Cartons
  • Paper and paper inserts

All recyclables are handled by Rumpke Recycling. Click here for a Recycling Quick Reference Guide.

How can you do your part during the event?

• • Place all compostable materials only into bins labeled “Compost.”
  • Place recyclables only into bins labeled “Recycling.”
  • Ask a CCF Green Team Volunteer for assistance if you’re unsure which bin to use!
  • Bring your own mug! Vendors will happily pour samples into personal cups.
  • Bring your own water bottle! There will be water fountains available for refills.
  • Carpool, rideshare, scooter, or bike to the event to save money and reduce emissions.
  • Avoid purchasing items with unnecessary packaging that is neither recyclable nor compostable.
  • Recycle all acquired handouts and fliers after they are no longer needed.

Thank you for all you do to help protect our lands and rivers. Donate today to Ohio River Foundation.