The lengths the Green Team will go
Dumpster diving for the planet
A smiling face popping out of a dumpster at the Good Food Forum + Expo may have been an unexpected sight to most.
But Senior Sustainability Program Manager Nick Shivka's dumpster diving was a heroic example of the lengths Local First Arizona goes to ensure our events are as sustainable as possible!
Local First Sustainability Program Manager Alicia Peck answers questions about proper waste diversion at the 2023 Good Food Forum + Expo.
If you've been to one of our signature events, you've probably seen it: Volunteers and staff positioned beside waste bins helping attendees to correctly sort their plates, cups and food scraps into compost, recycling and landfill. The Green Team is invaluable to Local First reaching its "Toward Zero Waste" goals, a philosophy of reducing the impact of trash on our planet.
With the Green Team's help, we regularly divert half or more of the waste generated at our festivals and conferences away from the landfill.
That's why Nick, channeling his inner Oscar the Grouch, was knee-deep in trash despite 114-degree heat at the Good Food Forum + Expo, rescuing bags of recyclables that had accidentally been thrown away.
"Nick gallantly dove into the dumpster to rescue the recyclables from a fate of prolonged decay, saving the integrity and heart of our Toward Zero Waste efforts," said Green Team Coordinator Tailer Shadron.
A diversion rate of 61%
The Good Food Forum + Expo is one of the trickiest events for managing waste, given how many containers, utensils and food samples the 200+ local food vendors distribute as they share their products with potential buyers.
But our wonderful vendors even pitched in. Dustin Clapp, owner of the private caterer Nomadish Radish, was so energized by the cause, he began keeping an eye on the waste bins and teaching other attendees how to sort. Thanks, Dustin!
Though dumpster diving is beyond the expectations of any Green Team member, thanks to Nick's dedication, the event collected 70 pounds of recycling, 56 pounds of compost and only 81 pounds of trash, for a total diversion rate of 61%.
"I’d do it again. " he said.
If you would like to help the Green Team at future events — and no, you won't have to climb in a dumpster! — sign up at our Local First Arizona volunteer page.
