Sparking a Green Movement

Two weekends ago we launched our Camp Wellstone 2009 season right here at home with our annual Twin Cities training. We welcomed 137 participants over the course of the weekend, and with nearly overflowing tracks we introduced new and improved curriculum. To top it all of, we once again partnered with Eureka Recycling for our second Zero-Waste training.

At Wellstone Action, we're connected to the "green movement" in various capacities, from training environmental organizers to educating hundreds of thousands of youth how to lobby effectively on climate change; however, our repeat zero-waste camp gave us the physical and practical chance to test out our own environmental know-how. It was no coincidence then that while our Citizen Activist track worked on their "Green Housing Resolution" campaign scenario all weekend; all participants and facilitators at the camp were resolving to create a bit less waste.

A zero-waste event, through careful planning and the participation of everyone involved aims to generate as little waste as possible. With the help of Eureka Recycling we greatly reduced our environmental impact over the course of three days.

With one zero-waste training in the record book, I set a few goals going into this camp:

To generate fewer than 8 lbs of trash like the previous year. I aimed for 6 lbs this time.

To purchase as little as possible and reuse flipcharts, poster board, pens, etc. left over from previous trainings. Okay, so in the end I purchased a few extra packets of nametags (the compostable kind, though) as well additional batteries for cameras (rechargeable, of course!).

Focus more on education this year. We did so by welcoming Miriam Holsinger, Eureka's Waste Reduction Manager, to train our staff and weekend volunteers on "what goes where" meaning what can be composted or recycled and what must be thrown out. We were also pleased to welcome Dianna Kennedy to Camp on Friday who taught us that waste reduction can be easy--and can be done.

Common Roots Café catered our event bringing in meals prepared with local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. Because of their partnership with Eureka, composting our food waste was easy! Eating off reusable plates with corn-based utensils became the norm.

With a few reminders each day and posters showing our daily waste, recycling, and compost totals, the excitement began to build after only the first day. We all wanted to beat the 6 lb goal! It would not have been such a success without our careful planning and great work of our partners as well as the participation of everyone involved-many campers brought reusable mugs and water bottles. Not only did we have about 20 more participants and staff this year than last, we also hosted an alumni reception for 200 people--educating a whole new crowd on our goal.

On Sunday afternoon all the trash was collected (and even once rescued from the janitor!), the weight total was in: 5 lbs and 11 oz. We all did it!

We're making efforts to continue this pattern across the country. Later this month we hit the road to Denver, CO, and will partner with a premier zero-waste caterer. And we're certain that trash really can become a thing of the past. We're doing our part. How are you contributing to the green movement? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Date    Compost            Recycled Paper    Recycled Bottles/cans    Trash
23-Jan   16.4             4.11                    3.2                              8 oz
24-Jan   40.14                0.6                     18.8                            10 oz
25-Jan   36.9                  6.7                    5.6                              4.9
TOTAL 93lbs, 11oz.    11lbs, 8oz.      27lbs                        5 lbs 11 oz

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goods from corn

Submitted by Virginia Hill (not verified) on February 10, 2009 - 11:04am.

For my education, shouldn't we be growing corn for consumption, not for paper plates and cups, etc?

Great job, even with the unnamed challenges

Submitted by Mark Jenkins (not verified) on February 10, 2009 - 1:50pm.

Jen, You neglected to mention the devil hiding in the details: the vending machines. I observed that much of the waste came from the coffee cups and snack wrappers. I'd venture a guess that they accounted for 50% (or more) of the actual trash you collected. In my mind, you did even better than the statistics show. Even with unforseen varriables, you achieved a noble and noteworthy goal.

wowsers!!

Submitted by Adriana Barboza (not verified) on February 10, 2009 - 6:32pm.

This is awesome!! I am very happy that this is being done. Keep up the good work and continue to walk the talk. :)

Wonderful effort

Submitted by Joe Foss (not verified) on February 10, 2009 - 8:58pm.

I'd like to thank Jen and Wellstone Action for making this event quite green, particularly with the food and waste reduction efforts. Environmental care is a justice issue, and it is important to reflect what we advocate. It is a tricky question about whether to use corn-based utensils. It would be best if we would use reusable utensils that could be washed, but that might not be possible in rented space for a group of that size. People could bring their own, as I did. It is true growing corn has its own impacts and that growing corn should mostly be used for food. But at least corn is compostable and will turn back into soil, so it's a partial solution. We still need continual education that there is a difference between office paper that can be recycled into new paper and soiled paper that needs to be composted. And can people use reusable coffee cups instead of bringing in styrofoam ones? Styrofoam is not compostable. That would help. The most important point is everyone working together for progressive and environmental change.

Corn and compost!

Submitted by Jen Haut (not verified) on February 11, 2009 - 3:07pm.

It’s all about thinking higher on the waste hierarchy—we want to reuse as much as possible before composting or recycling. Hailing from Iowa, I grew up around a lot of corn. I won’t pretend to be an expert here, but the fact of the matter is that unfortunately, much of that corn from the start is not grown for human consumption. Because corn is cheap and vast, it has become economically viable in creating a plastic alternative. Corn-based products or nature works plastics, known as PLA—or polylactic acid—is produced using far less energy and omitting fewer greenhouse gases than plastic. However, these PLAs also can only be broken down in a controlled composting environment, of which there are some 113 across the country. Joe’s idea fits the hierarchy—anytime we can wash and reuse, the better off--when possible, of course. I believe the green movement will continue to move at a rapid pace; being green is even trendy! Just as our corn-based products continue to develop so too will composting facilities. But we’ve all got to do our part in the meantime.

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Jen Haut-Prokop
As Wellstone Action's Director of Camp Wellstone and Advanced Campaign Management School, Jen Haut-Prokop puts to use her organizing skills to make these programs run. While at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, she worked as a peace and justice student organizer, notably creating publications to educate the campus community on issues of environmentalism, fair trade, and political advocacy.
Involved in:
Advanced Campaign Management School
Camp Wellstone