DISCOVER RECYCLING FAIR NEXT WEEK

The City’s Department of Environmental Services (ENV) presents the 4^th Annual Discover Recycling Fair, Sept. 25-27, 2008, at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena.  The event is free and open to the public.

            The fair, the largest and most comprehensive educational recycling event in the state, runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. both Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

“I’m excited that this fair will educate and encourage people in Honolulu to become more self-sufficient, sustainable, environmentally friendly and in harmony with the goals of our 21^st Century Ahupua‘a,” Mayor Mufi Hannemann said.  “The fair comes in conjunction as the City includes 39,000 more homes in its expansion of island-wide recycling.”

The City is showcasing its new curbside recycling program and new community recycling bins, two programs currently in expansion across Oahu.

The center stage program includes the Trash2Fashion Show and Parade along with performances by the Opala Players, the Sustainables and Youth Speaks Hawaii.

Exhibitors fill the arena with recycled products, recycling services, government programs and services, recycling education resources, recycled art center and resources for designing recycling programs for businesses, condos and schools.

            Projections estimate 5,000 students and teachers from more than 45 schools through the turnstiles the first two days as part of school-related field trips. 

Keiki engage in learning activities about recycling through the Opala IQ Book, touring the fair discovering the answers to the Opala IQ Questions, and earning prizes made from recycled materials.

            “The fair has grown into one of the most talked about recycling events of the year,” Dr. Eric Takamura, director of ENV, said.  “The response has been tremendous and is essential to the mayor’s island-wide recycling efforts.”

Last year, approximately 8,000 people, including more than 40 schools on field trips, attended the three-day event.

For General Information

Refuse Division, 768-3200

For Media Inquiries:
Suzanne Jones, 768-3420
Markus Owens, 768-3454