Avalon Airshow 2025 Case Study

Clean Vibes' Inaugural Partnership with the Avalon Airshow

The Australian International Airshow at Avalon is one of the largest and most complex events on the national calendar. The 2025 event, held from March 25-30, attracted over 200,000 spectators for a 3-day public airshow following an intensive defence industry trade show. For the first time, Clean Vibes was proud to partner with event organisers iEDM and ADMA, undertaking the critical responsibility of managing site and public event cleaning services. Our primary mission was clear: to implement a comprehensive waste and cleaning strategy with an unwavering focus on operational safety, particularly the prevention of Foreign Object Debris (FOD) on a live runway.

The Challenge: Safety, Scale, and Sustainability

Operating on an active airfield presents unique challenges far beyond a typical event. The site build and deconstruction spans five months, from January to May, in an unforgiving environment exposed to extreme weather conditions.

Our key challenges included:

• Critical FOD Prevention: The absolute, non-negotiable priority was to ensure no loose items or rubbish could become Foreign Object Debris. A single loose screw, piece of metal, or plastic item drifting onto the tarmac could pose a catastrophic risk to jet engines.

• A Dual-Audience Event: The event's structure demanded two distinct operational modes. The initial days hosted a major trade exhibition for global defence organisations, requiring a pristine, corporate standard of presentation. This was immediately followed by a 3-day public airshow, bringing a massive influx of spectators and a corresponding surge in waste volume.

• Complex Logistics and Security: The entire operation, from bump-in to bump-out, took place within a high-security environment at Avalon Airport, requiring stringent clearance protocols and meticulous planning to navigate a working airfield.

The Clean Vibes Solution: Meticulous Planning, Adaptive Operations, and Innovative Technology

Our strategy was built on proactive prevention, clear communication, and dynamic on-the-ground teamwork, allowing us to successfully manage site safety and set a new standard for cleanliness at the event.

• Proactive Planning & Advanced FOD Management: We deployed a series of targeted measures to secure all waste. This included custom-designed heavy-duty bin toppers, weighted bases to stabilise bins in high-wind zones, and secure tarps covering all large skip bins. In the most exposed areas, our teams emptied and unbagged all bins at the end of each day as a final precaution. To innovate our post-clean process, we made sure every last trace was gone, right down to stray screws and bolts. With the help of heavy-duty magnetic sweepers attached to our buggies, we could attract exactly what doesn’t belong, ensuring no hazardous debris was left behind. It’s all part of our commitment to safety, precision, and leaving the site cleaner than we found it.

• Dynamic and Adaptive Teamwork: Our operational planning was designed to be fluid. As the event progressed, we adapted our approach daily to meet changing demands. Shift times were adjusted to extend evening coverage, allowing night teams to focus on detailed cleaning of marquees and facilities. This flexibility, driven by an excellent and dedicated team on the ground, was key to managing the transition from the trade show to the high-volume public days seamlessly.

• Innovating for a Cleaner Site: The airshow was the launchpad for our newly designed bin covers, which featured clear written instructions alongside graphics to help patrons make better disposal choices. To ensure the success of a new organic waste stream for food vendors, our supervisors liaised directly with catering teams, educating them on correct sorting practices. This hands-on approach resulted in minimal contamination and a highly successful initiative.

"Cleanvibes were diligent in maintaining a FOD-free site and, AMDA as event organisers, did not receive any reports of FOD hazards from the airport or airline operators. On many occasions, positive comments were made as to the presentation and cleanliness of the site and event as compared to previous years." Glenn Owen, General Manager - Operations, AMDA Foundation Ltd

The Results: A Flawless Safety Record

In our inaugural year, the primary goal of maintaining a safe, FOD-free airfield was a resounding success. The meticulous planning, innovative technology, and adaptive operations of our team resulted in a flawless safety record. Furthermore, our focus on presentation significantly enhanced the attendee experience, setting a new benchmark for the event. We established robust systems that not only met the event's critical safety needs but also laid a strong foundation for future sustainability achievements. The event generated 260 tonnes of waste, and our focused efforts ensured a significant portion was diverted from landfill.

This achievement in our first year provides a fantastic baseline for our partnership. We are already working with the event organisers to elevate sustainability standards for the 2027 airshow, with a goal of achieving a 75% waste diversion rate. This will be driven by introducing new initiatives such as the Re-Vibes reusable cup program, compostable food systems, and expanded multi-stream bin systems to build on our success and further our shared environmental goals.