ReThink Waste Fair Is Great Fun and a Reminder to: Refuse. Reuse. Reduce. Repair. Recycle. Rot.

Saturday’s ReThink Waste Fair, organized by Waste Free Greenwich, drew a crowd to parish hall at Christ Church for a day of hands-on activities, shopping for low waste products, raffles, and information from community partners. Highlights included a cooking demo using scraps with Chef Juan Benitez and information on food scrap recycling, composting, oyster shell recycling, and much more.

During ReThink Waste Fair, people had the opportunity drop off unwanted items – including batteries, cell phones, eyeglasses and make up packaging – at the recycling and donation drive and know they would be diverted from the waste stream to local nonprofits and businesses.

Julie DesChamps, founder of local non profit, Waste Free Greenwich, said the effort to educate and inspire was especially important right now because Connecticut’s waste management system was at a critical point due to shrinking disposal capacity. In fact, she said 42% of Greenwich’s waste is sent out-of-state.

DesChamps reminded everyone of the six R’s: Refuse. Reuse. Reduce. Repair. Recycle. Rot.

Janet Stone Mcguigan from the town’s sustainability committee introduced Myra Klockenbrink who explained that this year’s awards were even bigger than previous years, given they were cut from  a 60-year old red cedar tree.

“No, the tree was not cut down for these awards,” Klockenbrink said. “But we must honor this tree and the work it does, not only for the environment, but to inspire us to do better, try harder, and lighten our load on this precious Earth.”

Gary Silberberg shared examples of balloons he had collected. He said there is a bill in Hartford is SB 1154 that says, “No person shall sell, offer for sale, import or distribute in this state any helium or other lighter-than-air gas balloon that is not biodegradable.”

While the bill deals with the balloons themselves, Silberberg said it did not address the ribbons, which pose problems. Further, he said there are balloons filled with air, not helium, that are not “lighter than air,” yet still cause problems.

Ultimately, Silberberg said he would like to see a ban on the sale and outdoor display of gas filled balloons, not just helium filled balloons.

Of course, here in Greenwich, it wasn’t long ago that a mylar balloon drifted into power lines, causing an explosion and knocking out power to downtown residents.

Silberberg noted that some states have banned the release of balloons. They dangerous to wildlife and contribute to environmental pollution.

At the upcoming Live Like Luke beach cleanup at Tod’s Point (Saturday, April 26, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm), all non-biodegradable debris will be tallied and reported to Save the Sound for submission to the Ocean Conservancy, which coordinates results from organizations throughout the world to analyze types and levels of the pollution in the earth’s waters.

This year, local artists Michael Manning and Ben Quesnel will be on hand to use materials collected during the cleanup for an installation art project—transforming debris into a powerful statement on sustainability and environmental awareness.

Can’t wait to see what they come up with!

Preregister at www.greenwichgreenandclean.org/beach-cleanup-live-like-luke or join find the beach at the signup tables in the first parking lot at Tod’s Point.

A colorful exhibit at the fair was Obi Obi Japan, a Japanese craft group based in Greenwich who upcycle donated kimonos and obi belts. An obi is the wide belt that is worn around a kimono, which is the traditional clothing work for occasions including wedding ceremonies, funerals, and graduation ceremonies. 

The kimono fabric is used to make and sell home decor items, purses, eyeglass cases, and even earrings, for a unique and elegant touch. All profits go to non-profits.

At noon First Selectman read an Earth Day Proclamation noting that national Earth Day was established in 1970 and is celebrated each year on the 22nd of April to increase awareness of how fragile the environment is and how each individual can make a difference. This year marks the 55^th Earth Day with the theme “Our Power, Our Planet.”

“Our Town leadership and residents have committed to lead by example to combat climate change and advocate for actions and policies that support environmental protection and climate resilience in Greenwich,” Camillo said, adding, “Education about our environment will lead to awareness, knowledge, and action.”

After the proclamation, the Greenwich Sustainability Committee presented Sustainability Awards to:

Dan Brubaker, Director of Conservation and Outreach, Greenwich Land Trust

Stephanie Cowie and Alan Gunzburg, Co-Chairs, Greenwich Board of Selectmen’s ADA Advisory and Advocacy Committee for People with Disabilities

Cynthia Ehlinger, Vice President of the Connecticut Ornithological Association and Community Volunteer

Serena Finkelstein, Founder of SWOP (Share With Other People)

Anne Semmes, Greenwich Sentinel Environmental Reporter

Leslie Yager, Greenwich Free Press Founder and Editor

See also:

Greenwich Green & Clean Spring Beach Cleanup along with Live Like Luke: April 26