CURRENT INITIATIVES, FALL 2010/WINTER 2011
Zero Waste Rutland: Working to transition all Downtown Rutland events to zero waste. Currently, we are targeting Friday Night Live (FNL) where volunteers engage event attendees on how to properly dispose of their trash. Also working with food vendors to encourage them to use only recyclable/compostable products. Partners: Downtown Rutland Partnership (DRP), Rutland County Solid Waste (RCSWD), Casella Waste Management, Foley Distributing, Rutland High School Environmentally Active & Conscious Club (RHS/EAC)
Rutland Area Colleges: Connected, Naturally: Expanding relationships between the area’s four local colleges and the Rutland community, and enhancing and promoting cultural and career opportunities available for students. Partners: College of St. Joseph, Castleton State College, Green Mountain College, Community College of Vermont, DRP, Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce (RRCC)
Idle Free Rutland: Educational campaign to encourage citizens to reduce idling their vehicles. Also, working with municipal department heads, local schools, and health institutions to create idle-free zones. Ultimately, working toward a citywide no-idling ordinance. Partners: Rutland Regional Medical Center, Rutland Public Schools, City of Rutland
School Gardens: Promoting nutrition, healthy eating and well-being, and local food in our schools through planting and maintaining a garden on school grounds accessible to students of all ages. Partners: Rutland Public Schools, Rutland Area Farm & Food Link (RAFFL), Boardman Hill Farm
Bag the Bags: Ongoing educational campaign designed to discourage people from using plastic and other disposable bags with the ultimate goal of implementing a city-wide ban. Partners: DRP, City of Rutland, RHS/EAC
GoGoVerde.com: A website where members of the Rutland community can promote local events or activates, or buy, sell, trade, or give away materials.
SEASONAL INITIATIVES
Trash 2 Art: A community-wide contest and exhibition of art made entirely from trash. Partners: RCSWD, DRP, Chaffee Art Center, Hands On Minds On Children’s Art Studio, Rutland Creative Economy, Rutland Public Schools
Thanksgiving Localvore Challenge: An annual event, which challenges participants to source their Thanksgiving Meal from within 100 miles of where they live. Localvore Exchange blog: rutlandlocalvore.wordpress.com Partners: RAFFL, Rutland Winter Farmers’ Market
