2020: It was not ALL bad news!
In 2020, almost all of Sustainable Saratoga’s events were cancelled due to Covid-19. This included several of our popular annual activities: Backyard Composting workshops, urban tree planting, and Repair Cafes. Since this was happening across our region and across the country, it is not in and of itself newsworthy. Because cancellations had become almost universal, the more interesting aspect of this story is the way we were able to reshape one of our largest community events.
We soon realized that this particular event was practically designed to be Covid-safe from its very beginning four years ago. Saratoga Recycles Day accepts drop-off of items that people no longer want, with the purpose of diverting those items from the landfill. Hundreds of area residents line up in cars to get rid of a wide variety of materials, from electronics and scrap metal to clothing and eyeglasses, among other categories. Tons of items are kept out of landfills by being reused by community service partners or being responsibly recycled at the end of their useful life. At the event in 2020 the following were donated to local charitable organizations: 900 pairs of eyeglasses; 12, 498 pounds of textiles; more than 100 bicycles; and 3 carloads of craft supplies. About 50,000 pounds of electronics were recycled.
It took the smallest of tweaks to have all drivers stay in their cars while volunteers emptied their unwanted items. Participants and event volunteers alike wore face masks. Judging by the number of cars (more than 625), it appeared that many people had been spending a good deal of time during lock- down cleaning out attics and basements. Their gratitude for having this event was shared in their comments – and demonstrated by their patience waiting in a long line to have their cars emptied.
Imagine how exciting it was to be able to hold this event - and keep it safe - in light of all our other cancellations. Our own gratitude matched that of the recyclers, and the event became a reminder of possibilities existing even in the worst of times.
Submitted by Margie Shepard
Co-chairperson, Zero Waste Committee of Sustainable Saratoga
518 450 7386
mshepard.shepard@gmail.com
