2009 Piedmont Earth Day Fair
A Zero Waste Challenge Event
Our goal for the 2009 Earth Day Fair was to significantly reduce waste, aiming for zero waste, but knowing that absolute zero waste is close to impossible. Our aim was to offer a green, environmentally friendly event to the public and act as a role model for exhibitors and guests. All food vendors used biodegradable or compostable food ware. Guests placed recyclable or compostable waste in separate containers at manned Resource Recovery Stations placed around the Fair. Trash cans were not available.
Results: The Fair generated the equivalent of about 48 large 30-gallon sized waste bags, of which approximately 79% was diverted from the landfill as follows: recyclable bottles & cans (21%), cardboard (20%), compostables (38%) and trash (21%). Four unopened and mysterious black bags appeared at the end of the Fair, presumed left by an exhibitor, which resulted in about one-third of our trash. The rest of the trash generally included food service products from WFU facilities, plastic packaging from exhibitors and a bundle of plant material from an exhibitor. Continued training of our exhibitors will further reduce waste at future Fairs. Electricity for the sound systems and several vendor booths was provided. Carbon offsets were purchased from NC Green Power.
About Zero Waste
"Zero waste is the next step in the American success story called recycling. Every day, more than 100 million citizens do the right thing...they recycle. Now it is time to set our sights higher and start planning for the end to wasting resources and to our reliance on landfills, incinerators and other waste facilities. Zero Waste is a Policy, a Path, a Direction, a Target; it's a Process, a way of thinking, a Vision." ~Gary Liss (1997)
PEA is committed to taking this next step in the recycling revolution by striving for zero waste at all our Fairs. Recycling and composting bins are available at our Fairs, and no "trash" cans. We ask that participants of the Fair carry out any items that cannot be recycled or composted. Our vendors are instructed to offer only recyclable or compostable packaging and food serving items. We encourage you to think creatively about ways to reduce or eliminate waste on Earth Day and each day of the year.
The Zero Waste movement has been championed by such organizations as Ecocycle and the GrassRoots Recycling Network (GRRN), who have this to say:
Zero Waste is a new way of looking at our waste stream. Instead of seeing used materials as garbage in need of disposal, discards are seen as valuable resources. A pile of "trash" represents jobs, financial opportunity, and raw material for new products. ~GrassRoots Recycling Network
To learn more about the visionary Zero Waste movement and what you can do, please visit the selected online resources below. We look forward to working with all members of the Piedmont community in continued efforts to green the Piedmont, the state of North Carolina, our nation, and the world.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ZERO WASTE & WHAT YOU CAN DO!
Ecocycle.org
GrassRoots Recycling Network (GRRN)
Earth911.com Find over 100,000 recycling locations across the country