Hosting a Nonprofit Event? Limited Funding Available Thanks to Arcata Sunrise Rotary!
Our Vision
At Bright and Green, we envision a world where single-use waste is a thing of the past and reusables are the norm—not just for events, but in everyday life. We believe that sustainability should be effortless, accessible, and impactful, empowering communities to make waste-free choices without sacrificing convenience.
Our goal is to build a scalable, community-driven system where every place that currently uses disposable dish ware has a reusable alternative—whether at festivals, stadiums, corporate events, or local gatherings. By prioritizing ethical practices, fair wages, and eco-conscious solutions, we are creating a model that not only reduces waste but also supports local economies, protects the planet, and shifts cultural habits toward sustainability.
We’re here to change the way the world thinks about waste—one event, one meal, and one dish at a time. 💚
More Than a Service—A Movement!
We believe every event is an opportunity to bring people together without creating waste, and we’ve built our business around that vision. Bright and Green is about reshaping habits, supporting communities, and creating a culture where reusables are the norm. By choosing us, you’re not just making a responsible decision for your event—you’re investing in a better future for your community and the planet.
Join us in making waste-free events the standard, not the exception. Let’s build a world where celebrations bring people together—without leaving a trace. 💚
Why Reusables?
Single-use plastics and disposables create a massive environmental burden, but switching to reusables can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in. Bright and Green takes care of everything—delivery, collection, and washing—so you can focus on your event, knowing your impact is positive.
What Makes Us Different?
- 100% Domestically Recycled Dish ware – Made from 100% recycled #5 plastic, sourced from U.S.A pre and post consumer waste, keeping valuable materials out of landfills. BPA-free, melamine-free, and dishwasher safe, ensuring safe, ethical, and sustainable production.
- Zero Waste, Zero Hassle – We handle everything, making it easy for you to ditch disposables without the extra work.
- Sustainable at Every Step – From electric transportation to fair wages for our team, we prioritize eco-friendly and ethical choices in every aspect of our business.
Our Story
Today
Carly Tambling is the visionary behind Bright and Green, a sustainable venture aimed at revolutionizing event sustainability in Humboldt and beyond. With a passion for environmental stewardship and a background in waste reduction, Carly embarked on her journey with Bright and Green in response to the community's call for an affordable and friendly reuse program.
Carly's immersion in various cultures during seven years of budget travel across 41 countries, have shaped her vision for Bright and Green. She sees Humboldt as the perfect setting to spearhead eco-tourism initiatives, aligning with the region's values of creativity, community focus, and environmental consciousness.
Since officially taking the reins in January 2024, Carly has been dedicated to transforming Bright and Green into a beacon of sustainability and community engagement. Leveraging her expertise as a waste reduction specialist in Arcata, Carly has successfully pioneered initiatives to turn waste-producing events into educational and successful zero waste models.
Under Carly's leadership, Bright and Green prioritizes sustainability and social responsibility. Through local and fair employment practices Carly is committed to supporting the livelihoods of individuals within the community while advancing Bright and Green's mission.
With a steadfast commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and economic empowerment, Carly envisions Bright and Green as a catalyst for positive change. Join Carly and the Bright and Green team as we work towards creating a brighter, greener future for all.
Our History
Since 2013, Bright and Green has been a familiar face at events in the charming and artsy college town of Arcata, California. The journey began with a spark of inspiration at an event in Davis, California, where an event coordinator introduced a reuse program that caught the attention of a member of the Arcata community.
Inspired by the initiative in Davis, this community member embarked on a mission to bring a similar concept to their hometown. Starting with a trip to the dollar store to gather reusable items under the Bright and Green brand, they soon realized the potential for a more eco-friendly approach. That's when they discovered Preserve, the only company in the USA manufacturing dishes using recycled plastic sourced entirely from within the country. Bright and Green's closed-loop system was then established.
Armed with this newfound knowledge and a commitment to sustainability, Bright and Green was born. With a simple question to event coordinators - "Would you mind if I provided reusable dishes to your attendees?" - they received a resounding response: "YES PLEASE!"
From the outset, eco-conscious transportation methods were adopted, utilizing public transportation and bicycles to transport reusable dishware to and from events. Pedaling their way through the streets of Arcata, they were committed to reducing their carbon footprint while delivering services with care.
Throughout their journey, a dedication to sustainable practices was maintained, even when it came to washing dishes. Whether it was in the comfort of their own home or utilizing the dishwashers and three-sink basins at community centers when the workload became too much to handle, Bright and Green ensured that every dish was cleaned with the utmost care and attention.
Bright and Green has been on a mission to eliminate consumer waste by delivering and retrieving reusable dishes from countless zero waste events across Arcata, Eureka, and McKinleyville. From cozy kids' birthday parties to the grandeur of the North Country Fair, this dedicated community member has been entrusted by zero waste events of all sizes to sprinkle some green magic.
In the News
Banning Plastics and Bioplastics at Oyster Fest
Arcata Oyster Festival banning the use of plastic and bio plastic
Arcata Oyster Festival banning the use of plastic and bio plastic
North Coast Journal
June 13, 2024 by Sasha Love
"If each of the more than 12,000 people in attendance at Arcata Bay Oyster Festival restrained themselves to only two orders of grilled Pacifics served with disposable forks, 24,000 sets of plastic prongs would likely make their way to landfill. Events of such a scale not only create a lively community, but also literal tons of waste. Even bioplastics made of natural materials designed to decompose don't always break down quickly enough, leading to challenges when composters turn their waste into soil."
Arcata Oyster Festival banning the use of plastic and bio plastic
Arcata Oyster Festival banning the use of plastic and bio plastic
Arcata Oyster Festival banning the use of plastic and bio plastic
KRCRTV North-Coast-News
June 13, 2024 by RUDY AGUADO
Watch the full news story here
"This year there is a ban on single-use plastics or bioplastics to prioritize compostable materials. Leaders with Bright and Green Humboldt, a local eco-conscious utensil company say the Arcata Plaza is filled with significant waste at events.
Its goal is to ensure all products are compostable. The company is also making sure all vendors are trained to use compostable materials."
Humboldt Obon Festival 2024
Arcata Oyster Festival banning the use of plastic and bio plastic
What Joanne Began, Carly Continues with Bright and Green
North Coast Journal
August 15, 2024 by Mark Larson
"Members of the Bright and Green Reusables team surrounded one of the Obon Festival organizers, Alex Ozaki, near a stack of the used returnable Bright and Green dishware and utensils at the event (from right, Carly Tambling, Alex Ozaki, Holly Hiatt and volunteer Joseph). The Zero Waste goal of event organizers and Bright and Green Reusables – help reduce and eliminate consumer waste by delivering and retrieving reusable dishes from public and private events. https://brightandgreenhumboldt.com/"
What Joanne Began, Carly Continues with Bright and Green
What Joanne Began, Carly Continues with Bright and Green
Mad River Union
October 10 2024 by Dana Utman.
"Bright and Green is leading the way in sustainable event solutions, continuing a legacy of environmental stewardship started by Joanne. Learn how Carly Tambling is making zero-waste events a reality in Humboldt County.
Trash Talk with Bright and Green
Mad River Union
November 14, 2024 by Dana Utman
"This is part two of my interview with Carly Tambling, the new owner of Bright and Green, a company that will provide plastic dinnerware and wash it afterwards for local events and gatherings. This is a great idea that was started by Arcata resident Joanne McGarry 12 years ago."
Bright and Green Voted 2024 Green Business of the Year
Arcata Chamber of Commerce
Feb 15, 2025
"Bright and Green as the Green Business of the Year"
2025 Member's Choice Awards "Home Based Business of the Year" Nominees
2025 Member's Choice Awards "Home Based Business of the Year" Nominees
2025 Member's Choice Awards "Home Based Business of the Year" Nominees
Mckinnlyville Chamber of Commerce
February, 2025
"Home-based businesses bring passion, creativity, and dedication to our community"
Volunteer opportunities with Bright and Green!
We are working hard to reduce waste in our community this year! We need people like you to help make this movement empowering and educational!
Sign up to join the Waste Reduction Team with Bright and Green today!
