We strive for Zero Trash at public special events downtown. We set up and staff Zero Trash Stations during such events at which food is served, including Memorial Day and especially Founders Weekend. We also separate food waste for composting during the UCC's community dinners. Other communities could minimize trash at their special events. We’re eager to share what we’ve learned and even to loan out our bins and signs. Anyone who’s interested should contact Peter Hofman ([email protected]) or Valerie Bluhm ([email protected]).

Founders Weekend 2025: our most successful effort yet

Founders Weekend 2025 was our most successful zero-waste efforts to date. Volunteers staffing our stations appreciated the many positive comments, several noting our efforts to minimize trash were unusual, if not unique, in Berkshire County, and their wish that other communities would copy us. Here's a recap documented in a letter to the editor of the Berkshire Eagle.  Our collaboration with the Tri-Town Health Department in the regulation of plastic bags and polystyrene drink and food containers has been essential to our zero-waste efforts. To get an idea of how to minimize waste during special events, here's a one page explanation.  

Our steady progress over the years in reducing the amount of trash generated during Founders Weekend has been beneficial. However, the level of effort required is (1) probably not sustainable, and (2) might not represent the most effective use of our time and that of the many volunteers who help out.

Committee members are re-envisioning this huge effort. We will continue to promote waste reduction and to set up and staff zero-waste stations. But we will place more emphasis on education and communications. Through our repeated presence during Founders Weekend, many attendees have learned what's compostable or recyclable, and what's trash. We engage in conversations with interested folks to talk about why we ake the zero-waste effort and what they can do. We plan to do more of that in the future. Stay tuned as we roll out our new twist for Founders Weekend, and perhaps other events in town. Regardless of the changes we mak, we will continue to rely on the generosity of Meadow Farm and Casella as well as the Lee Chamber of Commerce and the Tri-Town Health Department, for which we are eternally grateful.