Waste Free Festivals

Just received via email…

Hello Everyone, We have an opportunity to make history in London, by insisting on change. Please attend a very important public participation meeting held by the City of London, and invite others to join you. (See information below). As a festival city, we can be the first to set the highest possible standards, and inspire cities across Canada to do things differently. Policies and Procedures That Must Change Ban the use of styrofoam, plastic and paper – one time use throw away products at Special Events run on city owned property. Expect Special Events Organizers and Food Vendors to use biodegradable products and/OR reusable (dishes/mugs, plates,cutlery) products. Ban the sale of water bottles and install water fountains. Expect all Special Events Organizers to compost, when the city implements a city-wide composting program. Progressive cities, festivals, educational institutes, businesses, church organizations, and individuals are reacting to the creation of unnecessary, avoidable waste by moving in a new and responsible direction. Hillside Festival in Guelph, Covent Garden Market (Hasbeans, Piping Hot, Little Red Roaster), Ozone Organics in London, Tea Room – Kingston University, SanFransico, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, and New York have all raised the bar. Styrofoam and plastic waste is a detriment to our health and environment now and for generations to come. Developing new city policies and procedures will make the transition to environmentally friendly products easier to implement and accept. When the laws banning smoking in public areas were implemented, there was but a short-lived negative outburst. It was the right thing to do, as is banning one-time use disposable plastic and styrofoam products at Special Events on City property. Teresa Rutten Project Team Member Waste Free Festivals 519-432-9528 Public Participation Meeting The Corporation of the City of London would like to invite you (or designate) to review and provide input Wednesday, October 24, 2007 7:00 p.m. Civic Garden Complex 625 Springbank Drive For further information please call Krista Kearns 661-2500 x2379