Where Orange is the New Green!
The North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival strives to keep our footprint soft, while modeling environmentally sound practices (and having fun while doing it!). Festival environmental values and practices include:
Trash Free
10,000 people and only 3 bags of trash! At our recycling stations you will separate compostables, recyclables, and the only trash you’ll find is near the porta-potties. Food vendors all use compostable plates and utensils and we hope you’ll skip the need to bring in that foam coffee cup as they can’t go in the compost or be recycled. We are fortunate to have a great local business, Clearview Compost, who helps transform the festival compostables into fertile soil for local gardens. And why not bring your own canvas shopping bag for all the great local stuff you’ll find!
Green Transportation
We offer a free shuttle provided by Community Transit, and encourage carpools of 3 or more (or those needing accessible parking of course) for on-site parking.
Renewable Energy and Education
We have an amazing line-up of energy conservation and renewable energy workshops throughout the weekend for you to enjoy and learn from. Since 2001 we have used solar energy to generate green electricity for two music and entertainment stages. You can learn more about renewable energy, land conservation, and organic farming during the Festival from the many community organizations hosting booths at the festival.
Local Forest Products
We have built tables and performance stages using locally harvested wood, reducing fuel used to transport lumber to the area and supporting our local foresters, loggers, and sawmills. Make sure to visit the portable sawmills, timber framing, and other woodworking booths at the festival to learn more about our local forest resources.
Water
Our “water for the people” policy, provide free potable water rather than selling bottled water. Bottled water costs thousands of times more than tap water, and producing and shipping plastic water bottles (90% of which end up in the garbage) requires millions of barrels of oil. Bottled water also depletes aquifers that farms and communities around the world rely on. Bring your bottle to refill, or buy a re-usable water bottle adorned with the festival logo.
Food and Agriculture
We encourage all our food vendors to use as many locally produced, farm raised products as possible in the delicious dishes they prepare. We also have demonstration gardens and workshops on site to help people learn to grow food.
Learn More
- Takebackthetap.org provides great information about the issues with bottled water.
- Homepower.com is a great journal and on-line resource on all forms of renewable energy and fuels.
- Mansfieldpaper.com in Springfield MA supplies compostable products in bulk quantities.
- Nesea.org for information about the National Green Buildings Open House Tour held annually on the first Saturday of October – log on to find out how you can visit solar and energy efficient buildings near you.
