Not-for-profit organization Plastic-Free YYC is hosting Alberta’s first-ever Zero Waste Festival with the aim of creating awareness about the growing issue of plastic pollution globally.
The free, family-friendly event is happening in East Village-Crossroads from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 20th. The event is billed as an educational and interactive community-building event. It will also include attractions such as expert speakers, live music and businesses that support waste reduction.
Guests can take part in activities such as interactive learning stations and a game of giant Jenga. Some of the participants that are expected to be there include The Grinning Goat, Collective Conscience, The Bear Minimum, and Thrifty Princess.
Some of the live music will include Lisa Anderson with the grand opening at 11:00 AM. Other musicians and bands include Shea Iles, God Split the Milk, Erin Grace, Adelina Castle, and Jordan Clermont and Eugene Saunders.
The event will be opening up with Plastic-Free YYC leaders sharing lessons about how Calgarians can live a more plastic-free life.
Also speaking at the event are Mya Chau and Willa Vipond, two young women who are leading the younger generation towards a plastic-free, zero-waste world.
Next up will be words of wisdom by Jill Hawker, the brains behind Calgary’s original zero-waste refillery, The Apothecary. She will be teaching the audience how to navigate towards living more waste-free.
There will also be a panel discussion on sustainable clothing and smart shopping. Some of the speakers and panelists include Thomas Mo of Fashion Revolution, Jen Jensen, owner and chief operator of Thrifty Princess consignment boutique on Edmonton Trail, Leela Jacobs, founder of Leela Jacobs Collective, and Alena Tran, a Calgary-based sustainable style blogger ethics advocate and co-owner of an online vintage store, Truce Clothing, with her sister. Also at the event will be the local influencer, Tidy guy.
Helen Youn is a professional organizer specializing in the KonMari Method. At 4:00 p.m., she will be talking about living mindfully and joyfully with KonMari.
“The festival will be a celebration of businesses and local organizations who are leaders in this space and offer innovative solutions, services, and products to solve the plastic waste crisis” says Isabelle Couture, Co-Founder of Plastic-Free YYC.
“This event will also be an important fundraiser to make sure Plastic-Free YYC can continue its operations for the year to come and support its efforts to reduce plastic waste
in our community.”