Politics & Government

County Fair Beats its own Recycling Records

90 percent of waste composted.

The Marin County Fair, dubbed "the greenest county fair on earth," shattered its own records this year, recycling and composting 90 percent of all waste collected. That's up 16 percent from 2009.   

"What we've proven this year and in years past is that we don't have to choose between honoring the traditions of our past and protecting our children's future — we can do both by making our fair clean and green, but also lots of fun," said Jim Farley, director of cultural and visitor services for the county. "What other county fair can say they recycle nearly all of their waste, have a solar-powered carousel and stage concerts powered by biofuels?" 

More than 115,000 guests attended and 35 food and beverage concessioners took part in this year's fair. Total compostable materials collected weighed 38.4 tons. 

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"When you're enjoying a big bag of popcorn or other fair treat, most people don't think about the waste that can be left behind — we do," said Patty Garbarino, president of Marin Sanitary Service in San Rafael.   

This year's recycling record was made possible by a multi-year partnership among Marin County Fair, Marin Sanitary Service, Conservation Corps North Bay and Revolutionary Green. Conservation Corps North Bay staff and members provided recycling education to guests at "eco" waste-stations, collected and sorted 4,369 pounds of recycling and collected 5.64 tons of compost throughout the event.  

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"It is so rewarding to be part of an event this big that is setting an example and being successful at reducing waste.  If a county fair with 100,000-plus people can do this, then we can all do it in our daily lives," said Jennie Pardi, community recycling program coordinator for Conservation Corps North Bay.  "This is such an important step in conserving our valuable natural resources." 

Marin Sanitary sorted through 21 debris boxes at the Marin Resource and Recovery Center and composted 30 tons of food scraps, compostable food service items, paper towels and agricultural waste in its "biocell," which prevents the release of harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Marin Sanitary will return the finished compost to the fairgrounds as a beneficial soil amendment for landscaping and planter beds.   

"Personally, I enjoy watching things come full circle — from the fair to the garden,"  said Garbarino. "We return the compost each year to be used as an organic soil amendment.  It's a family tradition and motto of ours that nothing should be made that can't be recycled or reused." 

The 2009 fair compost was used in the 2010 Marin Master Gardeners' "Globalicious" garden tent.   

Revolutionary Green provided onsite support and helped develop the fair's comprehensive waste reduction program, finding innovative ways to help the fair achieve the status of the "greenest county fair on earth." 

"Ninety percent feels great," said Teresa Bradley of Revolutionary Green. "But, I'm never satisfied and next year we'll work even harder until we reach a 100 percent recycling rate." 

The five-day Marin County Fair is held annually over the Fourth of July at the county civic center fairgrounds in San Rafael.


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