I pitched the idea of an Earth Day celebration to other members of the group in the fall 2012. Hilliard Environmental Sustainability Commission.
To my delight and surprise, I was allowed to plan the event. Hilliard Earth Day CelebrationIn 2013, it was established.
It was a small event with a tree-planting ceremony and litter cleanup on Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park grounds. There was also a rain barrel class run by local Girl Scout troop and games. A display of electric vehicles, which were charging on mobile solar panels, and a wind turbine parked outside Hilliard Community Center.
However, recycling collections were not available in the first year.
In 2014, electronics was the first event to recycle. Thanks to the community’s support, the number and variety of activities increased tenfold by 2019. This included four recycling collection and a tiny home that people could walk through.
The Hilliard Earth Day CelebrationDue to the changing circumstances, the event has been reduced to mainly recycling collections. However, many people look forward and save items for these events throughout the year.
The celebration will be held from 10 a.m. until noon on April 23rd. The following collections will be available:
You can only have three banker boxes per household.
Electronics can be recycled, but there are fees and not all items will be accepted.
The Habitat for Humanity ReStores.
Polystyreneor Styrofoam
Except for the polystyrene which will be accepted at Hilliard Municipal Building, 3800 Veterans Memorial Drive in Municipal Park, the collection will take place at Hilliard Community Center. The city’s densifying machine compresses the foam into dense bricks which are then used to make new products. The polystyrene will be collected at the same place.
All collections are available to the community of central Ohio, not just Hilliard residents.
The celebration will include an in-person rain barrel lesson taught by the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation DistrictApril 23 at the Hilliard Community Center, between 1 and 2:30 p.m. Hilliard residents only are eligible to register. Participants who complete this workshop will receive a $50 refund on the purchase or rental of a rain barrel, compost container, or native trees, shrubs. Native perennials can be reimbursed up to $25 through the workshop. Community Backyards Program.
You can find more information about this and other Hilliard Earth Day Celebration activities on the Go Green Hilliard website. gogreenhilliard.com.
Kim Movshin is a member Hilliard Environmental Sustainability Commission.
