Durham Fair Composting Project Grows for 2014-2015

The Durham-Middlefield Clean Energy & Sustainability Task Force will be implementing the second round of the Durham Fair Composting Project at the end of September. The task force piloted the composting program last year with 23 non-profit food vendors and collected 1.67 tons of compostable waste. The compostables weighed more than two full grown Holstein or three Jersey cows!

This year the task force has received confirmation from 41 vendors who will be participating in the composting project. The group hopes to divert five tons of compostable waste from the trash. Compostable waste is decomposed and used to generate soil, a valuable resource! The project helps reduce the fair’s carbon footprint and helps reduce tipping fees by keeping food waste out of the garbage.

The D-MCE&STF is grateful for the continued support of the Coginchaug Valley Education Foundation (CVEF), the Durham Fair Association, Home Depot (Middletown), and HQ Dumpsters & Recycling LLC of Southington. CVEF is funding the purchase of compostable bags. HQ Dumpsters & Recycling is donating the use of a low profile dumpster, rolling bins for collecting compostables, and they are hauling the compost to the composting facility at no charge. Home Depot donated additional buckets for collecting compostables. The Durham Fair association has provided the use of a tractor and trailer, as well as helped develop an appropriate collection area. This project would not be possible without the support of these generous organizations!

Multiple community organizations are chipping in to make the Durham Fair Composting project a success. Members of C.A.T. (Coginchaug Area Transition), Coginchaug Regional High School’s environmental club ECO, along with members of Boy Scout Troop 27 will be helping the task force with collecting the compostables. The project is a great example of multigenerational cooperation for the environment. Participating vendors will have special signs posted in their booths to note their participation in the project. The task force looking forward to a great fair!