Check me out at the Triumphant Love Lutheran Church Care of Creation Fair from April 5! This is such a fun earth event and their photographer always does an amazing job. Thanks for having me again!
This was my second year to table at the event. I’m labeled as Zero Waste. They set me up next to Austin Resource Recovery which is basically my boss! ARR runs the volunteer program of Zero Waste Block Leaders. The Fair was fun; we were also in a row with Austin Water. It was great to chat with ARR and we could bounce ideas off each other and I could send people over to chat with them about specific services or questions I couldn’t answer. I share on reduce, reuse, repair and special recycling as well as sharing my What Do I Do With? example bin of items and books I recommend on zero waste and the earth. My books are always a particular interest with this group.
Questions and Topics I got asked:
- Where can tools be donated? – Austin Habitat for Humanity Restore
- This particular inquiry came up a few times both in doing a garage clean out and after the death of a spouse
- Most cities have a AHH Restore. It’s like a Home Depot and Goodwill combined, both with new and used items. They’re super fun and have a ton of great stuff so check yours out.
- Batteries – I always get a ton of questions on how to recycle batteries which you can do at any Austin Public Library location or Batteries Plus.
- Vape pens – apparently these have a lithium ion battery and one particular visitor said they are a lot of litter in Austin hiking spaces. I’ve found a few in the Mueller run-off ponds.
- Lids on bottles also came up – if it’s the same material (plastic on plastic) keep the lid on and drop it in the recycling cart. If it’s different (metal on glass) separate and recycle in the cart. Always make sure containers are dry and clean.
- Austin Shoe Hospital – we’d discuss what all they can repair and where some of the locations are
- Some visitors were asking about the new bulk on-call pickup program.
Wear a reusable nametag. This is a small hard plastic one with a magnet so it works for so many events and things. People really like to know you name and you will seem more approachable. It’s also helpful in creating connections.