Apple Festival focusing on recycling and reducing waste

        The Oak Harbor Apple Festival, which will be held Oct. 14-15 in downtown Oak Harbor, is partnering with Zero Waste Event Productions (ZWEP) to implement a recycling/composting program for the 2023 festival.
        According to their website, Zero Waste Event Productions, “is the leading recycling, composting and waste management provider for indoor and outdoor live music events, sporting events, community gatherings and conferences.”
        Thanks to a Recycling and Litter Prevention Grant from the Ohio EPA Recycle Ohio Grant Program, the Apple Festival was able to hire ZWEP to be onsite for the entire weekend. Workers will have two compartment bins placed around the festival for recycling and landfill. They will then sort the items on a conveyer, bagging up the materials. The
goal is to divert as much waste as possible from the landfill.
        Once the event is over, all recyclables will be taken to a recycling facility in Oberlin, Ohio. Lake Disposal of Port Clinton is donating their services and will be transporting the recyclables and Republic Services will be donating the cost to accept the materials.
        Lake Disposal is also donating the dumpsters for the event and the cost to dispose of any trash. Zero Waste will transport the compost to a compost facility near their headquarters.
        Apple Festival organizers are asking the community to help do their part by utilizing the bins provided and separating their “trash.” Zero Waste is also looking for volunteers who want to help with the sorting at the festival.
        To help or for more information, call 419-898-0479 or email chamber@oakharborohio.net. For a complete schedule of Apple Festival activities and events, visit oakharborapplefestival.com.