Recycling effort nets half ton of fair trash

Officials viewed a recycling program at the Missouri State Fair a success, despite the fact it kept a tiny fraction of trash the fair typically collects from the landfill.

Workers from Johnson County Sheltered Workshop collected 1,000 pounds (a half ton) of recyclables during the 11 days of the fair, said program organizer Cynthia Mitchell, resource development adviser for the Midwest Assistance Program. The fair generated 263 tons of trash at the 2007 fair.

“I thought it went very well; there could have been more (recyclables collected),” Mitchell said.

Some 90 percent of the items put inside the recycle bin were recyclable while the other 10 percent was trash, such as corn dog sticks and Styrofoam, Mitchell said. Of the recyclables collected, 80 percent were plastic and 10 percent aluminum cans.

“To be able to divert any of it from the trash was the goal,” Mitchell said.

Fairgoers may have noticed an obstacle to recycling. The holes in the recycling bins were too small for most plastic cups, which resulted in the holes becoming clogged. People either had to crush their cups or lift the lid to put them in the recycling bin.

“That was one lesson learned,” Mitchell said.

The 61 bins could be modified for next year to make the holes larger, Mitchell said. She said she hopes to expand the recycling program at the fair next year. Mitchell said it would be ideal to have a recycling bin next to each trash can on the grounds.

“Anyone interested in funding bins can contact me,” she said.

Fair Director Marion Lucas said at a news conference immediately after the fair that the recycling program “was somewhat successful, but not what it needed to be.”

“I think anytime we can do something to help our environment, it’s worthwhile,” he said.

Lucas said he did notice that fairgoers seemed to throw less trash on the ground this year.
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