By: Catrina Leone
Here in Cleveland, one of our main goals is to have a safe city, but also a sustainable city! The Earth Day Coalition for EarthFest 2014 was held at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. In partnership with Mayor Frank Jackson’s Sustainable Cleveland 2019 initiative, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District and ZeroWasteNEO, this year’s EarthFest celebrated the “Year of Zero Waste.”
EarthFest featured 270 exhibits in 9 sustainability exhibit areas which include: Zero Waste, Advanced and Renewable Energy, Environmental Science, Local and sustainable Food, Clean Transportation, Health and Fitness, Community amusement park rides, music on 4 stages, urban farm animals and much more. There was fun for the whole family. Families could enjoy all day entertainment with eco-activities, Valley Exotics Zoo, Jungle Bob with his animal friends, the NASA “village” and more. Scott Sanders, the Earth Day Coalition Director stated, “We are very excited to be presenting our largest every community collaboration of exhibits, seminars and family entertainment at our 25th Anniversary EarthFest. The weather cooperated that day, which helped lead to a great turn-out!
EarthFest 2014 had a goal of diverting 90% waste through, reduction, recycling, and composting. Earth Day Coalition also partnered with Kimble Recycling and Disposal to manage the recyclables and Future Organics to haul all compost to Barnes Nursery. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District was also involved in this event and hosted a pharmaceutical collection. The goal was to protect local waterways as wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove pharmaceuticals and help decrease prescription drug use.
*Besides having many activities to be involved with, EarthFest 2014 also had many great features!
-You could learn about the environment and clean-air benefits while experiencing a fun ride. Ohio’s first biodiesel amusement rides were featured here.
– Guests got the chance to meet Dick Goddard and adopt an animal in need. Families also had the opportunity to get up close with animal rescues, as well as petting zoos.
-There was amazing music, with bands from right here in Northeast Ohio playing all day and night. Some of those bands include: Backstage Politics, Cody Miller Band, Green Sunrise, Jay Floyd, Second Hand Dogs, Velvet Voyage and many more.
Some tips for you and your family to Go Zero are:
-choose products with the last amount of packaging
-dispose of hazard waste responsibly
-buy in bulk to save money and reduce unnecessary packaging materials
-reduce use of plastic wrap by purchasing or making reusable dish covers
-donate clothes or other household items to your local thrift store or other charitable organizations.
The Sustainable Cleveland 2019 is a great initiative introduced by Mayor Frank Jackson to help keep Cleveland the beautiful city it is!
*For more information on this event, as well as more tips, be sure to check out their website at www.earthdaycoalition.org
*If you are looking for more information on The Sustainable Cleveland Plan, visit their website at http://www.sustainablecleveland.org/
Stay tuned to TV20 to catch coverage on this and many more events happening in our area.
**Pictures provided by Ruggero Fatica**
