DTE Energy and Waste Management Help Grow the Festival Green!
The 2012 National Cherry Festival will feature two
environmentally-focused initiatives – a comprehensive recycling program and a day-long event, DTE Energy Green Day, that will show Festival-goers ways they can help make the world a greener place.
In partnership with DTE Energy and Waste Management, the National Cherry Festival plans to continue expansion of the recycling program it launched in 2007.
“Environmental stewardship is a priority to DTE Energy. We know that recycling can significantly reduce waste and improve the environment. That's why we're very proud to again sponsor the Festival’s recycling program,” said Sandra Ennis, DTE Energy vice president of corporate communications. “The program has been a great success since the beginning, and this year – with the continued enthusiasm and support of volunteers and Festival-goers – we expect to improve on that success as the program expands into new areas of the Festival."
Recycling stations will be conveniently located throughout the Festival grounds accepting paper, plastic, steel cans and compostable materials. All Festival food and beverage vendors will participate in the program, providing customers with compostable cups and “greenware” instead of plastic cups, forks, knives and spoons. The National Cherry Festival’s ‘Green’ initiative has been a premier model for other festivals and special events interested in growing their own ‘Green’ programs, both nationally and regionally.
The amount of material recycled at the Cherry Festival has increased each of the past three years.
- In 2007, the festival produced 41.78 tons of waste, with 15 percent of that tonnage recycled.
- In 2008, the recycling rate increased three percent to 18 percent of 50.97 total tons.
- In 2009 however, the festival’s recyclable and compostable rate shot up to 46 percent of 58.57 total tons.
“The National Cherry Festival is a tremendous example of how outdoor festivals can make a commitment to increase recycling,” said Waste Management spokesperson Laurel Durkin. “We’ve set a recycling record each of the past three years, and we are hoping to set another one in 2010 with the help of festival goers.”
Waste Management has been the festival’s solid waste and recycling provider for more than a decade. Since 2007, the company has tracked the amount of solid waste disposed of during the festival and amount of material recycled through the event.
“The National Cherry Festival leadership, vendors and festival partners all have had a role in ‘greening’ this tremendous event,” Durkin said. “But it’s up to the individual to make the responsible choice when disposing of their waste during festival.”
