Zero Waste Success: How SSA and The Florida Aquarium Achieved a 96% Waste Diversion at the AZA Icebreaker

Making Waves in Zero Waste: Setting a New Standard for Sustainable Events

When you bring nearly 3,000 people together for a party at the Florida Aquarium, you expect the buzz, the laughter, and maybe even a few splashes. What you might not expect? A 96% diversion rate from the landfill, well above the 90% threshold that qualifies as “zero waste.” That’s exactly what SSA and The Florida Aquarium pulled off at this year’s AZA Icebreaker, and we couldn’t be prouder of the team that made it happen.

Strength in Relationships: The Florida Aquarium & SSA Teamwork

This event was a true team effort. “Working side by side with Corey Romberg and the rest of The Florida Aquarium team was a joy, and our SSA dream team—Ashley Fischetto, Oriane Desangles, Jaclyn Rhodes, Matt Beaudin, and so many others—kept everything swimming along smoothly.”, according to SSA’s Sustainability Manager, Alexandra Keating.  The Florida Aquarium’s SSA crew went above and beyond to integrate sustainability into every aspect of the evening, Sous Chef Omar Serrano lead the food rescue efforts that ensured 885 pounds of food was shared with Feeding Tampa Bay instead of the landfill, a partnership that filled the communities' bellies rather than dumpsters.

Sometimes, sustainability requires quite literally rolling up your sleeves. At the end of the night, Ashley and Alexandra could be found “dumpster diving,” digging through bags to make sure every last fork and fish tin found the right home. It was not the most glamorous part of the job, but a powerful reminder that little details add up to a big impact.

Innovation in Action: Zero Waste Event Strategies

Our friends at Renüable were essential to this success, leading an incredible team of volunteers who cheerfully sorted waste throughout the evening. Afterward, they composted more than 1,370 pounds of organics and compostable serviceware, transforming what could have been trash into nutrient-rich soil.

We also teamed up with Top Cup and Replenysh to ensure 380 pounds of aluminum cups, bottles, and cans were recycled back into infinitely recyclable containers, closing the loop in a way that told an impactful story.

Operational Intelligence

Adding to the experience, Oscar AI smart bins helped guide guests toward the right disposal decisions, making waste sorting simple, effective, and memorable.

Community & Advocacy

Our sustainability efforts also extended beyond waste. The Surfrider Foundation shared their advocacy work on ocean conservation and their Ocean Friendly Restaurant program, helping connect the event to broader community impact. Guests also enjoyed menus featuring sustainable seafood, highlighting our shared responsibility to support healthy oceans through food choices.

Zero waste events don’t just happen. They take strong partnerships, innovation, and a commitment to moving forward. Most importantly, they take people who care enough to make sure every detail, right down to the last cup, is handled the right way.

To everyone who played a role including our SSA team, the Florida Aquarium, partners like Renüable, Top Cup, Replenysh, Surfrider Foundation, and of course our guests, thank you. Together, we did more than host a party; we showed what’s possible when sustainability leads the way.

FAQ’s

What is a zero-waste event? 

A zero-waste event is an event that aims to divert at least 90% of the waste created at the event away from the landfill or incinerator, typically by way of composting and recycling the material generated.

How did SSA achieve 96% diversion at the AZA Icebreaker? 

We started with procurement, ensuring everything that was single use at the party could be recycled or composted. We also worked very closely with local composters and recyclers to manage the waste and leaned on incredible volunteers and partners to sort the waste in real time throughout the event.

What are the best practices for sustainable event planning? 

Be adaptable and creative. Sustainability standards vary by region and sometimes what works for one place won’t work for another. Reduce waste where you can. Identify local partners that can help you meet your composting and recycling goals then plan your purchases around what is accepted by them. If food is a feature of your event, reach out to your local food rescue or food bank and make a plan to send any leftover food waste to them. Work with your community, that is who is most impacted by your efforts and more often than not they will be happy to support the goal.

What lessons were learned for future zero-waste events?

Be over-prepared! The backbone of the zero-waste event is the team pulling it all together. Have more than enough volunteers so the workload is light, the team can have fun, and they can prioritize separating the waste streams.

Want to learn how SSA can bring zero waste event planning to your venue? Contact us to explore sustainable hospitality solutions.