The Zero Waste Challenge — what does that mean?
Our goal is to host a Fair for 10,000+ people and not send any waste to the landfill. This is a zero waste carry in/carry out event. Recycling and composting bins are available at the Fair, but no "trash" cans. Any trash generated by our exhibitors or guests must be taken home. We encourage you to think creatively about ways to reduce or eliminate waste on Earth Day and each day of the year.
All food and drink sold at the Fair is served in/on recyclable or compostable containers. Piedmont Environmental Alliance has created Zero Waste Guidelines for its exhibitors and we purchase carbon offsets after the Fair to offset the carbon emitted as a result of the electricity used.
Zero Waste Challenge Results from the 2011 Fair
Roughly 95% of the waste from the Fair was diverted from the landfill. Waste was collected at three Zero Waste Stations sponsored by Waste Management. Each Zero Waste station was continually staffed by two volunteers. Gallins Family Farm took our compost and Waste Management took our recycling.
The following was collected at the Fair:
- 31 bags of compost (33-gallon bags)
- 7 bags of paper recycling (45-gallon bags)
- 11 bags of bottles and cans (45-gallon bags)
- Approximately one-half recycling dumpster of corrugated cardboard
- 4 bags of landfill waste (45-gallon bags), including 1 bag left by a food vendor and other non-recyclable waste (rubber gloves, tape, quick ties, trash brought in from outside the fair, diapers).
We filled one large recycling dumpster with all of the recyclables and six 90-gallon rolling carts with compost. Only four bags of waste went to the landfill, an estimated 5% of waste collected.
Thank you to Waste Management of the Carolinas for supporting the Fair with their sponsorship and funding the Zero Waste Stations.
