Zero Garbage

The Zero Garbage Challenge

As Recycling Hat, I think that we should aim to have the least impact possible, not only on the Blue Skies land, but on the surrounding community. Blue Skies brings many benefits to the community but also has a negative impact on the township. Traditionally, thousands of us have come together at the site and left our garbage behind adding to the problem of waste disposal for the community. I'd like to leave not only the Blue Skies site better than we found it but also the whole township.

Zero Garbage for Blue Skies was first proposed in 2015. Since then you have done a wonderful job.

Let's continue to make Blue Skies a "zero garbage" festival.

Why Zero Garbage?

The township of Central Frontenac, like most municipalities, has a waste disposal problem. For many years the township has been worried about landfill space, looking for ways to divert waste from landfills and pricing landfill usage appropriately.

In 2013 the township, reflecting the growing crisis of the situation, came up with strict rules for garbage disposal resulting in a very strict diversion policy.

While I agree wholeheartedly with the regulations, this did make the “Garbage” Hat’s job a lot harder as volunteers had to sort through every garbage bag and recycling barrel at Blue Skies. This was long, hot, hard work that no one would want to repeat. In 2014, we collapsed down to one main depot so we could intercept it before sorting it.

As good as the township regulations are, I think we can and should do better.

What is Zero Garbage?

Zero Garbage is simple. The goal is to bring no non-recyclable materials to the Central Frontenac dump. That way we're not adding to the problems of landfill space in the township.

How do I get rid of Garbage?

  • Plan, plan, plan:  For each item that you bring up to the site plan on how you're going to get it back home, keeping in mind that just throwing it in the garbage at the site is not an option.
  • Reduce:  Reduce the amount of packaging, materials and food that you bring to the site as much as possible.
  • Re-usable:  Use reusable containers such as Tupperware or Mason jars as much as possible.
  • Recycle:  Check out the rules for recyclable material posted by the township.
    The best thing to do is take all your recyclables home to recycle there.

By following these simple tips we can make the site and the township a better place, and by following these at all times, it helps us all to become more aware of the simple things we can do to reduce our impact in our day-to-day lives.

“If you bring it to the festival, you need to take it home. Pack it in. Pack it out.”

Henning

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