Zero Garbage Program
Help Reduce Fair Waste to an Absolute Minimum
More than 10 years ago, the Zero Garbage Project was established at the Fair. Since then, hundreds of volunteers have made a heroic effort to recycle or compost everything that is discarded. Food and paper are composted; glass, metal and some plastics are recycled; and deposit beverage containers are returned. Materials that must be discarded include plastics, which are not accepted by recycling centers, juice boxes and plastic coated paper. Around 90% of discarded material has been recycled or composted most years since the project began. The goal of Zero Garbage will be reached only when vendors, staff, volunteers and fairgoers unite in bringing only compostable and recyclable substances to the Fair.At waste collection stations around the fairgrounds, visitors place food and paper into a barrel, and metal, glass and plastics into a bag. The contents of bags and barrels are sorted at the recycling tent. Recyclable and returnable containers are cleaned and later taken to the local recycling facility. Contaminants are removed from food and paper, then these, as well as vendors’ food scraps, are composted in a windrow behind the tent. The finished compost is spread on the gardens the following spring.
Our food vendors are a big part of the Zero Garbage Project. They are required to sort everything they discard and to serve their products in non-plastic containers. The Salad Bowl has solved the disposal problem by serving food in edible tortilla bowls and renting forks to customers. (Thank you, Marada!). A serious effort is underway to locate sources of non-plastic forks and spoons, as well as paper cups that don't have a hidden plastic lining.
Plastic containers and packaging make up the major part of the nonrecyclable, noncompostable material that ends up in a landfill. The most obnoxious items in this lineup are disposable diapers. Please do not discard diapers at the disposal stations! If you pack them in, pack them out. Recycled plastic bags will be available in the Children's Area and at the changing stations in bathrooms.
You can help the Zero Garbage Project by not discarding anything that can't be recycled or composted. Better yet, minimize your use of disposable goods by bringing your own dinnerware and cup; bring your own shopping bag; and stuff a bandana in your pocket to use as a towel or napkin.
Please visit the recycling tent at the Fair, or volunteer on the Composting and Recycling Team. You can also obtain information about home composting at the tent.
Thanks for helping us get to zero!
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA)
Common Ground Country Fair
PO Box 170
Unity, ME 04988
Phone: 207-568-4142
Fax: 207-568-4141
Email: cgcf@mofga.org