Sustainable Fairfax

Bringing people together to support a vital environment and thriving community

Maya Butterfield

August In Review

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We hosted two lovely events in August that focused on landfill reduction, allowed the community to learn and share knowledge, and brought people together to focus on creating a more sustainable civilization.

8/16 – Backyard Composting Workshop with Joan Irwin, Master Gardener: Did you know that Compostable organics make up 30% of California’s overall waste stream, contributing over 12 million tons annually to our state’s landfills, and producing significant quantities of methane? Workshop participants found out how they, personally, could help to do their part to mitigate greenhouse gas emission through backyard composting. Find out more about the benefits of composting here.

8/23 – Community Council: On a gorgeous summer day in August 8 people came inside to sit in council together to tackle the difficult question of how to create less waste and live more lightly in a single use society. We reflected on how we came to understand the problems of waste and over-consumption and how this knowledge has impacted our lives.

How, we all asked, did we get into this cycle, and how do we extricate ourselves, or at least lessen our impact on the planet we love and free ourselves from the influences of excess? Reconnecting to the natural world, that in our backyards and the remaining wilderness around us, and more intimately, by reconnecting with the nature we carry within us as mortal beings, were suggested as gateways to a deeper consciousness about this issue. We also acknowledged the difficulties of being conscious consumers and attending to the day to day tasks of proper disposal of waste while we lead busy lives.

We look forward to the wisdom and plans for action that will emerge from our monthly councils. Again, many thanks to Teya Valentina Chavez for co-facilitating and sharing her lovely Sol Studios for this event, and to Rachel McKay for facilitation and vision.

Bicycle Decorating Contest for $100 Good Earth Gift Package

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This year, we’re having a Best Decorated Bicycle contest during Streets for People. Get inspired, get crafty, get on out to the streets! There are three categories of competition:
CATEGORY 1: CARGO BIKE

CATEGORY 2: CRUISER BIKE

CATEGORY 3: KID’S BIKE

The rules are simple:
1. Bring your decorated bicycle to the parking lot by the former Lydia’s/Fairfax Diner building at Streets for People – August 31, 2014 between 11:00am – 2:00pm.

2. Lock up your bike at the rack so the community and judges can see your work.

3. Come back at 2:30 for the judging!

THE WINNER IN EACH CATEGORY RECEIVES THE GOOD EARTH NATURAL FOODS GIFT PACKAGE VALUED AT $100:

Free Sharps and Medical Waste Disposal

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The County of Marin is sponsoring free disposal of sharps and medical waste at many locations. Safe disposal of medical waste reduces harmful chemicals in our water systems and soil, reduces the risk of accidental use, especially by children, and is a great way to keep your medicine cabinet safe and clutter-free.

For the most current guidelines and list of locations, click below, and then click on the arrow that says “Free Sharps and Medical Waste Drop-off Locations.”

[box border=”full”]http://www.marincounty.org/depts/cd/divisions/environmental-health-services/medical-waste[/box]

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) – A Step on the Path to Zero Waste

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ZeroWaste What is Extended Producer Responsibility?

The move towards zero waste is not just about responsible waste management, it’s also about sustainable consumer practices and sustainable retailer and manufacturing processes. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requires manufacturers to minimize the environmental impact of their products at each stage of the product’s lifecycle.

This includes taking responsibility for the product’s end-of-life by creating take-back programs for the reuse and recycling of their products (Producer Takeback).

When manufacturers take responsibility for the life cycle of their own products they:

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  • Use environmentally safer materials in the production process
  • Consume fewer materials in the production process
  • Design the product to last longer and be more useful
  • Create safer recycling systems
  • Are motivated to keep waste costs down
  • No longer pass the cost of disposal to the government and the taxpayer

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What Can I Do To Demand Extended Producer Responsibility?

Speak with Your $$

Don’t buy products from producers or resellers that have non-recyclable or excessive packaging. Buy in bulk when possible to reduce single-use packaging waste and show manufacturers what’s important to their consumers.

Write a Letter!

Let companies know that EPR is important to you. If you have to purchase an over-packaged product, send a letter to the manufacturer and let them know you don’t appreciate wasteful packaging practices. Most consumer labels include a corporate address.

Support EPR Legislation

Let your government know that you support EPR and will support pro-EPR legislation. The California Product Stewardship Council is a great resource for information on legislative activity around Extended Producer Responsibility. “Like” them on Facebook and follow their website for the latest information.

Take Advantage of Take-Back Programs

Patronize companies that offer voluntary take-back programs for the products they sell, such as Home Depot’s fluorescent bulb recycling program. To find recycling locations near you, visit the Earth911 website.

Ask for More Take-Back Programs

When you buy a product, don’t be afraid to ask the retailer to take-it-back at the end-of-life. If enough consumers request take-back programs, retailers and manufacturers will get the message and find ways to work together to make this happen. It really works!

Zero Waste Marin also has a great list of recycling resources and take-back programs! http://zerowastemarin.org/zero-waste-101/recycling-guide/