Keeping Tahoe Blue: A Record-Breaking Clean-Up at Zephyr Cove

Every year, thousands of people gather at Zephyr Cove in Lake Tahoe to celebrate the 4th of July. And every year, the aftermath has historically included a troubling amount of litter left behind on one of the country’s most stunning shorelines. But thanks to a growing coalition of committed partners, including Aramark, Keep Tahoe Blue, Eco-Products, and Full Circle Soils & Compost, the story is changing dramatically.

This summer marked the second year in a row that Aramark and its partners came together to tackle the issue of post-holiday waste head-on. But this year, the team didn't just clean up, they raised the bar with onsite waste sorting, extensive outreach, and a reward system that made cleaning up cool.

It’s a huge leap forward in showing what’s possible when sustainability is made accessible, engaging, and collaborative.

Smarter Waste, Cleaner Shores

The team took a holistic approach, sorting all waste on site and analyzing what was ending up in the landfill. Items like shoes, towels, diapers, and wipes —often brought in by visitors or used in cleaning were the most common landfill-bound waste. But everything else? Sorted and diverted. And a big reason why that worked: engagement.

The Recycle Store: “Trash for Treasure”

To inspire beachgoers to participate, the team created the Recycle Store, where visitors could exchange bags of collected trash for free swag like Eco-Products’ water bottles, Keep Tahoe Blue hats, sunscreen, and snacks.

Staff greeted cars at the entrance, handing out collection bags and showing pictures of what the beach looked like in 2023 — a powerful motivator. The message: We never want to see Zephyr Cove like that again. And people responded. Families got their kids involved in “trash treasure hunts,” proudly turning in their bags at the Recycle Store. By the end of July 5th, every single item had been claimed — with our water bottles and bandanas topping the list. It was fun, meaningful, and effective.

Composting With Purpose

None of this would be possible without the right partners. A special thank you goes out to Cody and the team at Full Circle Soils & Compost, Nevada’s only STA-certified compost provider.

For over 20 years, they’ve turned organics into nutrient-rich plant food — and their role at Zephyr Cove this year was key. By helping process the food waste collected during the event, Full Circle ensured that one-third of the event’s total waste went back to the earth as high-quality compost, not into a landfill.

Looking Ahead

The impact of this work was felt not just by beachgoers, but by the staff who work and live at Zephyr Cove. With open arms and ongoing excitement, they’ve embraced the change and are already looking forward to doing even more in the future. When waste is sorted, people are engaged, and partnerships are strong, we don’t just keep Tahoe blue, we keep it better than ever.

Thank you to all the incredible partners, volunteers, and visitors who made this possible. See you next year — with even less waste and even more impact.