Please join me in celebrating the new Waste Wise Launch at the SF Ferry Plaza Farmers Market this Saturday, April 26.

I have worked with CUESA (the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture), the nonprofit that operates the market, for the last four months in developing their new waste wise initiative, which was unveiled on Earth Day this week. The celebrations will continue this Saturday and include a reusable bag give away, a reusable bag parade, a screening of The Story of Stuff and a slide show of recycled art produced by the Norcal Artist in Residence program, a great educational display describing what happens when food scraps get composted versus landfilled along with great tips for shoppers to reduce waste both at the market and at home.

The best part, though, are the new Waste Wise Stations, which include a three bin system to collect composting and recycling at the market, with clear signage to indicate what materials go where. Up until Tuesday, all the materials discarded at the market went straight to the landfill. With the ability to collect compost and recycling instead, the market will be able to divert approximately 78 tons from the landfill per year, over 90% of what gets discarded at the market.

During the initial launch on Earth Day, I felt as though I was in heaven. My day started with the training of the Waste Wise volunteers, which is one of my favorite things to do, and continued with questions and answers about recycling and composting throughout the day. It is incredibly fulfilling to share my passion for recycling and composting with others. Plus, I got to dress up in a boa made from reclaimed plastic bags, and parade through the market singing Happy Earth Day (like happy birthday day)! I even got my picture in the SF Examiner, along with Jessica McCracken from the Trash Mash-Up group, who supplied the plastic boas for the parade participants. Thanks, Jessie!

It has been a true pleasure working with the CUESA team in developing the educational materials, signage and the elements for the launch. They were the first client I have worked with that was not only interested in marketing themselves as green, but were truly interested and willing to walk the talk too, going well above and beyond to do so. Their focus on the educational component of the waste wise initiative makes all the difference. Thank you, CUESA, for being a shining star and example of what one, dedicated organization can do in the area of waste prevention and reduction.

Although my work with them is almost done, I will forever be a frequent shopper at theirs and other local farmers’ markets. My last task will be to compile the steps that were taken on the path to becoming a waste wise farmers’ market, so they can share their experiences, the challenges and the successes, so that other farmers’ markets can follow in their steps. For more information, please visit the CUESA Waste Wise website at http://www.cuesa.org/events/waste_wise/index.php.