The Chester Fair has initiated a program to aggressively pursue Zero Waste with a goal of 95% trash recovery by 2024. Food vendors have had 100% of their tableware items assessed for compatibility with commercial composting methods while 85% of those items have been converted to compostable tableware that can be included with the disposal of all food scraps.

Their focus will be upon food scrap gathering, improved recycling methods, the installation of water dispensers along with the elimination of single use, plastic water bottles and general trash reduction by placing multi-bin, Sorting Stations across the fairgrounds. Each Sorting Station will be staffed by over 50 volunteers, while Blue Earth Compost of Hartford will manage the final collection of all food scraps and compostable items.

The Chester Fair is excited to have its Zero Waste program be the first in place by any traditional country fair in New England, and is proud to join only a handful of country fairs across the US that provides this type of service to its fairgoers and community.

We’re so proud of the achievements event organizer Kim Price has made, along with the help of many volunteers here in the lower Connecticut River Valley. Please take a minute to check out this Chester Fair Zero Waste Guidebook compiled by Sustainable Essex members Karen and Julian Evans.