GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) - A Lincoln-based nonprofit dedicated to recycling and composting has recognized the Nebraska State Fair for its efforts to keep waste out of the Grand Island landfill.
WasteCap Nebraska has bestowed a GoZero zero-waste designation on the State Fair for its work recycling and composting during the 2016 event, the Grand Island Independent reported (https://bit.ly/2jmKJXJ ).
The fair saw about 1,047 tons of materials recycled or composted during the 10-day fair in August and September, State Fair facilities director Jaime Parr said Friday.
“This creates a 93 percent diversion rate, which tops the 90 percent needed to be considered a zero-waste business,” she said.
It’s the fair’s third zero-waste designation since 2014.
The recycled materials included 1.6 tons of plastic, 2.5 tons of cardboard and nearly five tons of items that comingle plastic, cardboard and aluminum. The fair also recycled 900 gallons of cooking oil into biodiesel and composted 1,033 tons of animal waste and bedding.
Last year, the fair launched its Sustainability Pavilion, which carried environmentally friendly messages about recycling, water conservation and use, composting and other sustainability projects, Parr said.
“The Sustainability Pavilion also features live stage demonstrations and presentations, make-and-take activities,” she said. “There’s even an LED versus incandescent bulb wall, a pedal power desk and more.”
Parr said the fair is taking pavilion booth reservations for 2017, and hopes to showcase even more environmental efforts.
The Nebraska State Fair this year will run from Aug. 25 through Sept. 4 in Grand Island.
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Information from: The Grand Island Independent, https://www.theindependent.com
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