Over the past two years, Teton Valley Foundation has made huge strides in reducing event waste at the popular summer music series, Music on Main, serving as a role model in on region on how to run fantastic community events with limited environmental impact and little waste. Last summer, TVF director, LB Sanchez, introduced the stainless steel Beer Cup Rental program – with a $10 deposit, you can either borrow the beer cup for the night or even the whole summer and get your money back when you return it – or if you love your cup, you can keep it forever for the $10. This effort was made possible through a collaboration with Liquid Hardware (the local business who manufacturers great reusable stainless steel vessels), Spoons Bistro (who offered weekly sanitizing service for the cups), and RAD Curbside who helped sponsor the program in an effort to reduce single use plastic waste.
In 2018, this pilot program at Music on Main was so wildly popular, with far more people than they expected opting in to the program – and many people feeling a bit ashamed when they used disposable plastic cups. Many patrons even claim the beer tastes way better in a stainless steel cup! The exciting news is that this year, TVF is eliminating ALL PLASTIC CUPS from Music on Main!! Folks can borrow the stainless steel cups (and new wine goblets) at no cost for the evening beyond putting down the refundable $10 deposit – and enjoy their beverages without creating unnecessary waste! We are soooooo excited about this initiative and the commitment TVF has shown towards environmental stewardship.
Just like last year, Teton Valley Community Recycling will be supporting the Music on Main efforts to reduce waste. Look for our Hydration Station by the picnic pavilion to refill your water bottles or get a sip from the drinking fountain.
On June 27, Music on Main will be having their annual “Recycling Night” featuring TVCR and the Subaru Leave No Trace team – and yeah, I think there is some music too…Canyon Kids and Turkuaz. Since food vendors are still offering disposable plates and dishes at Music on Main this year, TVCR wants to encourage attendees to change their consumption habits at events. You’ll already be bringing or renting your cup, so throw in a dish or plate from home and the food vendors will happily serve your pizza, pad thai, or momos on your reusable plate – and there is NO WASTE!!
TVCR Volunteers will be giving out raffle tickets to anyone bringing reusable dishes and containers to the event – with a bonus of 2 tickets for folks who buy food from vendors but use a dish from home. We want to promote this cultural shift. Trust us, it is easier than you think. Just toss your dishes in with your lawn chair or picnic blanket and you are ready to go. We will also be giving out raffle tickets to people who bring their own refillable water bottle, use the TVCR water refill station, and who use the stainless steel beer and wine cup rental program. We want to encourage Choosing to Reuse to becoming a regular habit everywhere you go!
RAFFLE PRIZES INCLUDE: (Check back for updated list as we are adding more low-waste prizes weekly)
– Kate’s Real Food Tram Bars
– Sushi set
– Tote bags
– Thermoses
– Cloth napkin sets
– Reusable lunch boxes and cooler bags
– Bamboo cutting boards
– Bamboo utensils
– Books
– Wooden Kids toys
– Gift Certificates from local restaurants and shops
– and much more!!
COME VISIT THE TVCR BOOTH AT THE JUNE 27 MUSIC ON MAIN RECYCLING NIGHT – and please… CHOOSE TO REUSE!!
