That's a great question, and one that really makes a difference for both attendee experience and festival sustainability. For a typical one-block city festival, a good starting point is 8-12 public waste bins, plus an additional 4-6 recycling stations.
Here’s the breakdown and why: Place a paired set of trash and recycling bins at every major entry/exit point (usually 2-4 corners). Then, add high-traffic clusters near food vendors, seating areas, and the main stage. The key is visibility—no attendee should have to walk more than 30 seconds to find a bin. This density prevents litter and encourages proper disposal.
Don't just think quantity; think strategy. Use heavy-duty, lidded bins to control odor and pests. Clear, colorful signage (e.g., "Landfill" vs. "Bottles & Cans") is crucial. Most importantly, assign a volunteer team to empty bins proactively before they overflow—usually every 60-90 minutes during peak times. A clean festival is a successful festival, and planning your waste flow from the start is a huge part of that.