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Farmer's Market Commits to Zero Waste |
One of the recycling wardens, Neil Nicholson demonstrates the appropriate use of the compost bin at the Ithaca Farmers' Market. (c) Marty Luster |
by Steve Gabriel
The Ithaca Farmer's Market has long been known to support the local farmer, vendor, and craftsperson by operating a 165 member cooperative which offers a variety of products four days a week in the Ithaca area. This year, members committed to a zero waste policy, offering everything served in biodegradable containers, which are then removed and composted by Cayuga Composting.
The initiative began when members of the market sustainability committee looked at the enormous trash expenses and realized the organization would have to drastically raise their trash charge to vendors. In addition, the sight of overflowing garbage pails after each market day was, "really embarrassing," according to Steve Sierigk, "People have this image of farmers market being ecological scene, and we wanted to live up to that." In preparation for the 2007 season the market's board of directors decided it was time to shift focus from garbage collection to garbage reduction.
The market had long been considering the switch to biodegradables but had been held back by the high cost and limited availability of compostable utensils, dishes, and cups. Recently prices have begun to stabilize as more producers have responded to increased demand all over the US for earth friendly products. Local distributors Regional Access and B&W Supply provided options and helped make the zero waste goal within reach. The shift has come at a cost,, some of which is passed onto the customer. Tompkins County Solid Waste is also supporting the project with grant funding. Overall, as demand continues to increase, prices will stabilize and, as vendor Peggy Aker notes, "It's a price you pay one place or another. This is kind of a small price to pay for our environment."
Contact: Ithaca Farmer's Market
Tel: 607 273 7109
Web: www.ithacamarket.com
The Ithaca Farmer's Market has long been known to support the local farmer, vendor, and craftsperson by operating a 165 member cooperative which offers a variety of products four days a week in the Ithaca area. This year, members committed to a zero waste policy, offering everything served in biodegradable containers, which are then removed and composted by Cayuga Composting.
The initiative began when members of the market sustainability committee looked at the enormous trash expenses and realized the organization would have to drastically raise their trash charge to vendors. In addition, the sight of overflowing garbage pails after each market day was, "really embarrassing," according to Steve Sierigk, "People have this image of farmers market being ecological scene, and we wanted to live up to that." In preparation for the 2007 season the market's board of directors decided it was time to shift focus from garbage collection to garbage reduction.
The market had long been considering the switch to biodegradables but had been held back by the high cost and limited availability of compostable utensils, dishes, and cups. Recently prices have begun to stabilize as more producers have responded to increased demand all over the US for earth friendly products. Local distributors Regional Access and B&W Supply provided options and helped make the zero waste goal within reach. The shift has come at a cost,, some of which is passed onto the customer. Tompkins County Solid Waste is also supporting the project with grant funding. Overall, as demand continues to increase, prices will stabilize and, as vendor Peggy Aker notes, "It's a price you pay one place or another. This is kind of a small price to pay for our environment."
Contact: Ithaca Farmer's Market
Tel: 607 273 7109
Web: www.ithacamarket.com
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