Winn Cowman, Waste Diversion Director | May 27, 2021
Summer is almost here and we’re all excited to get out and see each other once again. After a challenging year of social distancing, the special events we look forward to each summer are returning to the Yampa Valley. As we plan for the return of events, YVSC is excited to be offering zero waste services for the community. From helping to select recyclable and compostable tableware for your
waste-free event to materials sorting during the event, YVSC is here to help.
In partnership with the City of Steamboat Springs, YVSC is providing zero waste stations at the Farmers Market, which kicks off on June 5th. The waste stations will be outfitted with recycling as well as composting. Trash will also be collected and measurements will be recorded to determine the amount of waste diverted during these events. The data collected will be useful as our community plans ahead for higher landfill diversion targets, such as the one set by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) of 28% by 2021 and the Routt County Draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) goal of 46% percent of waste diverted by 2030. So far we have fallen short of the State’s goal, with only 15.9% of waste diverted in 2019, down from 17.2% in 2018. With work still to be done to meet state and local goals, zero waste events will be a much needed tool to get us moving in the right direction.
YVSC is looking for volunteers to help with zero waste events this summer. Get involved with YVSC and help us reduce waste at our local Farmers Market. Volunteers are needed to work 2.5 hour shifts at the waste stations at the Farmers Market. The first shift will be from 9:00-11:30 a.m. and the second shift is from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays throughout the summer. If you’re interested in helping with this effort and volunteering with YVSC, please sign up here. To learn more about YVSC’s zero waste services, contact Winn Cowman at winn.cowman@yvsc.org.
We look forward to seeing you out and about this summer and appreciate your support of community-wide efforts to reduce our waste and reach our climate action goals!
