The 2026 Arcata Bay Oyster Festival set a new benchmark for sustainability, achieving a record-breaking 90.2% waste diversion rate, which is the highest in the festival’s history. Through the combined efforts of volunteers, vendors, community partners, and attendees, more than 6,500 pounds of material were recovered through composting, recycling, CRV collection, cardboard recovery, and oyster shell reuse, and only 640 pounds were sent to the landfill.
The achievement reflects the Arcata Chamber of Commerce’s ongoing commitment to hosting environmentally responsible events and the leadership of Bright & Green, which coordinated the festival’s waste reduction efforts.
“This accomplishment belongs to our entire community,” said Carly Tambling, Director of Bright & Green. “Every volunteer, vendor, partner organization, and festival attendee played a role. Thousands of people made small decisions throughout the day that added up to an incredible environmental impact.”
In addition to reaching its highest diversion rate ever, the festival also celebrated several sustainability milestones:
- More than 6,500 pounds of material were recovered from the waste stream
- 35+ volunteers staffed waste stations and educated festival-goers
- More than 5,000 attendees received hands-on waste sorting education
- 97% of reusable volunteer meal plates were returned to be washed and reused
- Workforce training opportunities were provided for two participants in waste reduction operations
The festival’s sustainability success was made possible through partnerships with organizations including Bright & Green, the Arcata Chamber of Commerce, The Local Worm Guy, the California Conservation Corps, Jerry’s Recycling, Hambro Recycling, Pac Out Green Team, the Center for Sustainable Development, the City of Arcata, and community volunteers.
“Working with Bright and Green to drastically reduce our carbon footprint at large-scale events has been amazing,” said Glo Baker, Operations and Events Manager for the Arcata Chamber of Commerce. “Every volunteer and organization that helps us support this mission, from the trash haulers to the recycling centers, is doing historical work, and we hope that other events start to recognize that an event can be both successful and sustainable.”
The festival’s sustainability program has grown dramatically over the past three years. In 2024, the event recovered approximately 2,730 pounds of material with a 77.3% diversion rate. By 2026, material recovery had increased to 6,539 pounds, while diversion climbed to 90.2%, demonstrating the impact of continued investment in public education, volunteer engagement, and local partnerships.
Recovered materials continue to benefit the local community. Compost is processed locally, oyster shells are reused for research and community projects, recyclable materials are returned to the recycling stream, and reusable serviceware helps reduce waste year after year.
“The Arcata Bay Oyster Festival has become more than a celebration of Humboldt Bay,” Tambling said. “It’s become a place where thousands of people come together to practice sustainability. Every year we recover more resources, educate more people, and show what’s possible when a community works together.”
The Arcata Chamber of Commerce and Bright & Green plan to continue expanding waste reduction initiatives in future festivals through increased public education, greater use of reusable serviceware, expanded workforce development opportunities, and continued collaboration with local environmental partners.
For more information about the Arcata Bay Oyster Festival or its sustainability initiatives, visit arcatabayoysterfestival.com or Bright and Green on Instagram.