Tips to enjoy Fiesta San Antonio more sustainably
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What the street looked like after a recent Battle of Flowers Parade. Photo: Megan Stringer/Axios
Fiesta's aftermath is always apparent — when the streets have cleared of people, they're left covered in confetti and chicken-on-a-stick debris.
Why it matters: San Antonio loves to party with a purpose, but we make a lot of trash during 11 days of revelry.
- All that garbage isn't so great for the environment, but there are ways to party more sustainably.
How it works: The city of San Antonio certifies certain events as "green" based on organizers' efforts to reduce waste, promote public transportation and more. It's a practice the City Council adopted back in April 2010.
Zoom in: Two 2025 Fiesta events are certified as green, the city's Office of Sustainability tells Axios — the Chanclas y Cervezas event at Brooks on Saturday and the Battle of Flowers Parade on May 2.
Organizers gain points toward green certification for measures including:
- Providing incentives to encourage recycling
- Reusing event materials each year
- Making tickets available digitally
- Recycling cooking oil
- Using LED lighting on parade floats
- Providing bike racks
Here are some tips from the Office of Sustainability to celebrate Fiesta in a way that's a little friendlier for the planet:
- Fill your cascarones with colored or recycled paper instead of plastic or metallic confetti. The eggshell is already biodegradable.
- Pack drinks and snacks in reusable cups and containers.
- Look for the recycling bins along parade routes for your bottles and cans.
- Leave your car at home. Take VIA's Park and Ride service, or walk or bike if you can. Taking a rideshare or a carpool also helps.
The bottom line: The city's biggest party doesn't have to make such a mess.