How to Host a Green Event: MPLS’ Basilica Block Party
This past weekend I, like 25,000 other people, attended the 15th annual Basilica Block Party. The block party is an annual two day concert/festival which benefits the historic Basilica of St. Mary in downtown Minneapolis.
If you’ve ever been to a music festival you’ve noticed there is a massive amount of waste produced from all the attendees. At Weezer, I was standing on a mountain of empty beer and soda bottles. This is why I was shocked when I read in the event’s program that over 50% of all the materials at the block party are recycled. This is much higher than the rate for the rest of Minnesota!
One reason was they are able to recycle so much is that there was a large recycling container for beverages next to EVERY garbage. A lot comes down to the simple fact that people won’t recycle unless its easy. The basilica also had volunteers whose sole job it was to make sure people were recycling correctly, and to pick up beverage litter and recycle it.
Events like this, which are well planned and make an intentional attempt to be green are a great start. We will do even better when we pass the Minnesota Recycling Refund Act! In states with similar laws, the recycling rate for beverage containers has reached 95%. In addition, every recycling container at the Basilica Block Party could have been turned in by the basilica to a redemption center, raising even more money for a worthy cause.
We all know a 100% recycling rate is whats best for Minnesota’s future. We know that recycling refunds work, let’s pass MRRA and get as close to this goal as possible!
