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The U.S. goes through 100 billion single-use plastic bags every year. This costs retailers about $4 billion a year.

ZERO WASTE POLICY

Zero Waste and Sustainable Communities
In a world of ever increasing population and consumption it is not sustainable to continue to make packaging and products from virgin resources and then toss the items in the trash. Zero waste offers a new path, a vision, a new way of thinking about waste. Instead of "managing waste," our goal is to eliminate waste and manage resources. Zero waste offers financial opportunity, green jobs, and a cleaner, more sustainable future. In a zero waste world, products would be designed to be durable and repairable, made from recycled or renewable materials and in turn be completely recyclable. Composting would be universal and compost would be used to enrich our depleted soils.

SolarFest: Zero Waste (or pretty close!)
Participating in a zero waste event allows all attendees to act and think about how a zero waste world could happen. At a zero waste event, food scraps, service-ware, and packaging are either recycled or composted. The key to a zero waste event is detailed planning to ensure that all materials used and discarded at the event are reusable, recyclable, or compostable. The first step is to gain the support of event organizers. SolarFest organizers fully endorse creating a zero waste event as a vital component of the event's mission and a sustainable future.

The next step is to work with vendors to eliminate items that are not recyclable or compostable. At SolarFest, vendors have been asked to only use service-ware and utensils that can be recycled or composted. Fortunately SolarFest vendors are very supportive of being a part of a zero waste event. Utensils (cutlery) made from cornstarch, potatoes, or bamboo that looks like plastic, but is biodegradable at a composting facility will be available at food booths. Paper plates and paper cups, as well as some biodegradable "plastic" cups will also be used. Paper and biodegradable "plastic" will be collected for composting. Many vendors will also serve "finger foods" that don't need utensils.

Check out the 2009 case study done on SolarFest by the Northeast Recycling Council by clicking here. 

Zero Waste Stations
Zero Waste stations, consisting of recycling and compost containers, will be located throughout SolarFest. Plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and aluminum foil can be placed in the recycling containers. SolarFest vendors will recycle their plastic bottles and metal cans and serving pans as well. All food scraps, paper plates, cups, napkins, and biodegradable serviceware can be placed in the compost collection containers. Volunteers will monitor the Zero Waste Stations and be available to answer any questions that attendees may have.

Recyclables will be collected by Casella Waste Systems. Aluminum cans are made back into new aluminum cans; plastic bottles are made into other plastic items, such as fleece. All food scraps, paper, and compostable plastic will be collected by Rutland Solid Waste District and transported to Fisk Haines Farm in Danby for composting.

SolarFest participants are asked not to bring in outside packaging (or other disposable items) which are not recyclable or compostable. This includes polystyrene (Styrofoam) cups and plastic bags. If you must bring in these items please be prepared to carry them out with you. Garbage cans will be located near the portapotties for hand wipes and disposable diapers.