U2 clean up

The U2 concerts in November 2010 had larger than normal attendance, with temporary seating installed between the permanent stands to boost the capacity of Mt Smart stadium. Thus the clean up between the two concerts and following dismantling of the stage, had to be exceptionally well planned.

The whole operation ran like a slick well-oiled machine with hundreds of permanent and temporary staff mobilised, each person with a specific task to do - from unloading some 400 bins at Mt Smart stadium, getting the bins into position around the stadium, to cleaning up during and after the event.

A relatively small cleaning crew kept bins emptied and loose litter to a minimum before and during the concert, with a particular focus around the food and drink areas where people tended to leave behind bottles on retaining walls, and the rubbish bins quickly filled.

However, the really concerted clean up effort began after the concert goers had left for the night, and the hundred strong cleaning crew moved in to clean the area around the stage, the stands, as well as the area around the stadium. That late shift was then replaced with the early morning shift the following morning to continue the clean up effort.

A compactor patrolled the perimeter of the stadium both nights, emptying bins and picking up litter left behind by the crowd heading to the venue or leaving to head home.

There was an added timing challenge in that the stadium and the surrounding area had to be immaculate following the first concert, so that local businesses, residents and patrons could enjoy tidy streets and a clean venue again the following night.

Mark Gosling of Dark Promotions was most impressed with the U2 clean up. "They did an amazing job", wrote Mark. "[The] best post show site I have seen in many years, you would never have known there was a show on."

"The whole operation ran like a slick well-oiled machine with hundreds of permanent and temporary staff mobilised, each person with a specific task to do."