We have all been there. Cup in one hand, plate in another. Forgot to get the utensils. If we are lucky, the napkins get stuffed in our pockets. Unless you are at a formal sit-down affair, eating at a party or event is a logistical challenge. And when it’s all consumed, the food, forks and knives, even the cups, get dumped in the garbage.

However, with a little pre-planning, most of it could get recycled, instead of being bagged for entombment in a landfill.

As a partygoer, you don’t have much choice about what you do with your debris — it’s preordained by the hosts. In event planning, dealing with garbage is usually the last thing planned for and can easily be forgotten until after the event starts. Those hosting the event are focused on the celebration, the decorations, music and food, not about waste management and recycling.

Whether the event you are planning is a family affair like a birthday party, graduation or anniversary; larger like a sporting event; or communitywide like the Relay For Life, there is always an ability to recycle.

The first thing to consider is, What are the expectations? Be realistic. Do you want to capture only the redeemable bottles and aluminum cans, or cardboard boxes, plastic clamshells and other recyclables, as well? Are you recycling for yourself, for your group or for the whole event? Consider how many people are going to be there and what they are going to be doing, eating and drinking, and therefore throwing away. What kind of garbage containers will be used, and how many will be used, and where will they be placed? How and when will the garbage from the event be picked up?

Once you have established the goals and plan for recycling, you can enlist help.

Place recycle containers next to garbage cans. Consider at least a one-to-one ratio of garbage cans to recycling containers. Large, easy-to-read signage will make it easy for people to make the right choice.

If you are trying to redeem the bottles and cans for your group to raise money, consider another container for those, as well. It’s easier to get people to do the sorting for you in their toss.

For recycling containers, it can be as simple as a plastic bag hung next to the garbage can, or a garbage can with a hole cut in the lid. If you are ordering a Dumpster, Tracy Delta Disposal can also drop off totes (like those at our homes) and foldable tall open cardboard boxes at little or no cost. Do the math: If you recycle more, the size of the Dumpster also decreases. The city of Tracy also has large four-foot Coke bottles for free rentals, vivid icons of recycling.

Many will read this article and say, Why bother? This is a lot of work, dealing with other people’s trash. But it’s about manners and respect. The event you’re planning, whatever it is, is to celebrate someone: their talents, their accomplishments, their memories. Recycling at events shows that we can celebrate and not forget our manners. Planning to recycle shows that your event, group or organization respects not only the event, but the impacts to our communities and our planet, as well.

For a change: Start recycling at your family functions. It will give you practice in how to recycle with groups.

To make a difference: Recycle within your group at sporting events you attend with your family.

To make a stand: Offer to plan the recycling at an event. For a guide, visit www.recyclingadvocates.org under “Publications.”

• Christina D.B. Frankel is a 20-year Tracy resident, architect and mother of three. Her column, Living Green, runs every so often in the Tracy Press. She can be reached at cdfrankel@sbcglobal.net.