How We're Greening Charlotte Clean and Green
Yes, it's all about practicing what we preach! The goal of Charlotte Clean and Green is to help educate individuals, families and kids about making choices that are healthier and more sustainable for our planet. We also believe those choices apply to how we put on this festival. To that end, we are committed to being a zero‐waste event.
Our Festival Greening Efforts
Recycling
Everything that can be recycled at the event will be recycled. Recycling stations will be set up throughout the festival to encourage attendees to recycle all appropriate material. Volunteers will be strategically positioned throughout the event to help direct attendees to these stations.
Food Service and Composting
Charlotte Clean and Green will be using only compostable food service ware. All food waste and service ware will be collected to compost at the Earth Farms compost facility in Stanley, NC. During the festival, please support our efforts by following waste disposal instructions that will be prominently displayed.
Bottled water will not be distributed by Charlotte Clean and Green or by the exhibitors or vendors. Complimentary water will be provided by Diamond Springs Carolinas served in compostable cups.
In addition, this year all paper products, including handouts, will be composted by Earth Farms. Please place these items in the composting bins during the festival.
Kids Area
Materials used in the craft area are sustainable or made of a material that is being reused or repurposed.
Exhibitors and Vendors
All exhibitors and vendors are screened for their commitment to sustainable business practices.
We also request that they not distribute styrofoam, plastic, balloons or any non‐recyclable material and consider creative, alternative ways to distribute information about their products and services such as by directing people to their website.
Classes
We are asking presenters to limit handouts and distribution of material and to instead direct participants to learn more through their website and other online avenues.
Marketing
Promotion of Charlotte Clean and Green is focused primarily on web-based efforts and grass roots outreach.
Any printing of material and signage for the event will be using eco‐friendly processes and paper.
Power / Electricity and Carbon Offsets
The main power sources for the event will be units provided by PowerWagon (www.thepowerwagon.com). Their units are "gasless, environmentally‐friendly, renewable power generation systems on wheels."
Charlotte Clean and Green will offset emissions from any additional electricity used at the event by purchasing carbon offset credits from NC Green Power.
What You Can Do
- Ride your bike, carpool or take public transportation to our event
- Use recycling and composting bins at the event
- Bring your own reusable water bottle to the event
- Spread the message!
Don't be a drip – fix that leak! Leaky faucets can waste thousands of gallons of water each year, like money down the drain. Repair or replace old or damaged fixtures. If you're not sure you have a leak, check the water meter before and after a two–hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak.