Sun-filled Earth Day Fair draws a lot of environmental activists
Schools and Ridwell join forces for a recycling campaign
People soaked up the sun and discussed environmental issues at the Congregational Church on Mercer Island’s “Invest in Our Planet” Earth Day Fair on April 22.
The church’s second annual free event, which took place from 4-7 p.m. in the parking lot at 4545 Island Crest Way, featured a host of environmental organizations and advocates who connected with attendees and focused their conversations on saving energy, restoring nature and building a healthy planet for all.
Nine booths occupied one section of the lot. They featured Scout Troop 678 talking about PSE Green Energy options, Ross Freeman, Mercer Island sustainability program analysis; the League of Women Voters sponsored Mercer Island Climate Action Now group (MI CAN); Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light; Cedar Grove composting company.
Karen Dawson, Cedar Grove’s director of public relations, stated that Cedar Grove is a third-generation company with Mercer Island ties and has two facilities in Everett, Maple Valley, where they process organic waste to make compost.
While taking a quick break from educating attendees about compost, Dawson added that: “Avoiding food waste and your yard waste when it goes into a landfill creates methane gas, the most harmful ozone layer depleting gas, and so when we can divert from the landfill and compost it, it’s really good for the environment.”
Maddie Smith, the Earth Ministry booth’s operations manager for the Seattle-area, stated that she works with local congregations in order to help them get into the green realm and organize faith communities for climate advocacy and environmental justice.
As Smith glanced around the fair, she said events like these are important relationship-builders.
“It’s good to meet people because that’s how you create change in your neighborhood and coming together to advocate,” she said.
Members of the Mercer Island High School High School Green Team, from left to right: Alex Weil (copresident), Lainie WIon, Harry Weil, and Alexander Aylen. Ridwell’s Erin Metzger stands in the middle. Courtesy photo
SCHOOL RECYCLING CAMPAIGN
Let the recycling begin.
Ridwell Recycling Company dropped off bins at the front doors of six Mercer Island Schools District buildings last Friday. Plastic film collection was free for all.
Nancy Weil, a longtime parent volunteer and facilitator of the school district Green Team, joined forces with Ridwell to collaborate with the district administration, Green Team students, teachers, and PTAs at all schools to promote the campaign.
Weil stated that Ridwell founder Ryan Metzger and his wife Erin Metzger and Tony Kuhn (school district director of maintenance & operations) played key roles in bringing about the campaign’s success.
According to Ridwell and the campaign page on the district’s website, plastic film can’t be placed in recycling bins and must be collected and recycled by a separate facility. There are many types of film available: stretch film, pallet wrap, dry cleaning bags and air pillows. You can also use plastic shipping envelopes.
Weil, who has run the district’s Green Team for more than a decade, said, “My whole goal was to educate students. All I want is kids to know this so that they go out into the world and spread the reason we should be doing things differently.”
Weil’s Green Team journey began 12 years ago when she introduced the King County Green Schools program to the district at one of her child’s elementary schools. Each district school is now certified by the county program. Alex, her daughter is co-president of high school team. Harry is a member.
Visit this page for more information about the campaign and recyclable items. https://tinyurl.com/39523nzb.
