A “Zero Waste” ApproachA “Zero Waste” Approachat the Del Mar at the Del Mar FairgroundsFairgrounds

Nancy Strauss Nancy Strauss

Resource Conservation CoordinatorResource Conservation Coordinator

Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA, USADel Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA, USA

E-mail – E-mail – nstrauss@sdfair.com

858-792-4298858-792-4298

Program IdeasProgram Ideas

IntroductionIntroduction

Zero Waste as a GoalZero Waste as a Goal

Fairgrounds Recycling Program Fairgrounds Recycling Program OverviewOverview

Other resource conservation Other resource conservation programsprograms

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Fairgrounds Recycling Fairgrounds Recycling ProgramProgram

Began in 1985 with office paper recycling Began in 1985 with office paper recycling & now recycles, participates in the local & now recycles, participates in the local alternative daily cover program or sends alternative daily cover program or sends to compost over 21,400 tons of material to compost over 21,400 tons of material representing 92% of our solid waste.representing 92% of our solid waste.

With support of the Board of Directors, With support of the Board of Directors, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Premier Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Premier Foods, Management, Recycling Staff, Foods, Management, Recycling Staff, and others, the recycling program grew and others, the recycling program grew in leaps and boundsin leaps and bounds

The Fairgrounds adopted a goal of “Zero The Fairgrounds adopted a goal of “Zero Waste or Darn Close”Waste or Darn Close”

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$150,000$150,000

in Container in Container GrantsGrants

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Materials Recycled, Re-Materials Recycled, Re-used, Composted or used used, Composted or used

in the local Alternative in the local Alternative Daily Cover Program:Daily Cover Program:

Aluminum, Appliances, Antifreeze, Asphalt, Batteries, Aluminum, Appliances, Antifreeze, Asphalt, Batteries,

Cardboard, Carpet, Carpet Padding, Ceiling Tiles, Clothing,Cardboard, Carpet, Carpet Padding, Ceiling Tiles, Clothing,

Compost, Concrete, Dirt, Drywall, Electronics, FluorescentCompost, Concrete, Dirt, Drywall, Electronics, Fluorescent

Lamps, Food Scraps, Glass, Greens, Mixed Paper, Lamps, Food Scraps, Glass, Greens, Mixed Paper,

Newsprint, Oil, Paint, Plastics, Metals, Rail Road Ties, Newsprint, Oil, Paint, Plastics, Metals, Rail Road Ties,

Shavings, Straw, Telephone poles, Wire, and WoodShavings, Straw, Telephone poles, Wire, and Wood

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Straw removal during the Straw removal during the racesraces

Put Photo Here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Put Photo Here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Financial Benefit of Financial Benefit of RecyclingRecycling

In 2009, the combined In 2009, the combined Financial Benefit saved Financial Benefit saved over $1.1 million.over $1.1 million.

Financial Benefit = Financial Benefit = Revenue earned + landfill Revenue earned + landfill diversion savings – tipping diversion savings – tipping feesfees

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VermiTech Worm BinVermiTech Worm Bin

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Vermicomposting Vermicomposting PartnershipPartnership

with Solana Centerwith Solana Center

One of our hungry little One of our hungry little critterscritters

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Our Other Resource Our Other Resource Conservation ProgramsConservation Programs

The Fairgrounds saves $45,000 The Fairgrounds saves $45,000 annually on our sewer bill by keeping annually on our sewer bill by keeping food out of the kitchen drainsfood out of the kitchen drains

The Fairgrounds has developed an The Fairgrounds has developed an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Environmentally Preferable Purchasing and Practices Policyand Practices Policy

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Continued…Continued…Other Conservation EffortsOther Conservation Efforts

The Fairgrounds uses 75 acre feet of The Fairgrounds uses 75 acre feet of reclaimed water annually for landscape reclaimed water annually for landscape purposes, including the grass race trackpurposes, including the grass race track

Staff created The Annual Enviro Fair for Staff created The Annual Enviro Fair for public education now held during the Annual public education now held during the Annual San Diego County Fair one day, June 19th.San Diego County Fair one day, June 19th.

Formed a “Green Team” to oversee Source Formed a “Green Team” to oversee Source Reduction, Energy Conservation, Recycling Reduction, Energy Conservation, Recycling and buying recycled content products in and buying recycled content products in each department.each department.

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Poly TrackPoly Track

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SolarSolar ArrayArray

Installed 1 Installed 1 megawatt of solar megawatt of solar energy on the energy on the roof tops of 11 roof tops of 11 horse barnshorse barns

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CreditsCredits

Del Mar Fairgrounds Board of DirectorsDel Mar Fairgrounds Board of Directors Tim Fennell – CEO – for his support and Tim Fennell – CEO – for his support and

leadershipleadership Ric Anthony – Ric Anthony & Assoc. – Ric Anthony – Ric Anthony & Assoc. –

numerous projects and mentoringnumerous projects and mentoring Larry Baumann – Solar ProjectLarry Baumann – Solar Project Dave Wilbur – Recycling ManagerDave Wilbur – Recycling Manager Fairgrounds Management, Staff & Fairgrounds Management, Staff &

Recycling Crew Recycling Crew Fairtime and year-round contractors, Del Fairtime and year-round contractors, Del

Mar Thoroughbred Club, Premier Food Mar Thoroughbred Club, Premier Food Service and other contractors and other Service and other contractors and other participantsparticipants