You’ve Got to be Seen Green!

1. You’ve Got to be Seen Green! Michael E. Berry, CFEE President and CEO Kentucky Derby Festival, Inc. July 17, 2008

2. History • Article in Courier Journal Newspaper • Led to internal staff meetings called “Light Bulb Labs” • Overall program developed to “Go Green”.

3. Recycling • Promoting self recycling • Containers • Cardboard boxes with lids • Pros • Cheap • May be recycled themselves • Cons • Lack of tolerance to weather = rain and wind especially • Visually does not always separate from other garbage containers therefore having a higher contamination factor • Special made recycling containers • Pros • Visually they not an obvious standard garbage container • Withstand weather • Lower contamination factor • Cons • Expensive • Hard to store

4. Recycling • Contamination • Mixing of food or liquids with recyclable items prevents recyclable items from being recycled • Plastics, Glass and Aluminum have low levels of contamination due to the high levels of heat used in the recycling process • Paper Products have high levels of contamination. Paper products are simply washed and turned back into pulp to recycle therefore any food, liquid, grease etc…on paper or cardboard mixed with recycled items must be removed or papers cannot be recycled. • Volunteer support (Green Teams) • Volunteer Teams used to collect recyclables before, during and after your events • Recycling competition • Recycled items may be sold for money, therefore you may find competition within the general public to collect these items if you are in an open venue • Recycled paper and soy based inks used for printing

5. Green Energy • What is it and how can I get it? • Green Energy is wind power or hydroelectric power, versus using the standard method of burning coal and polluting the environment • You can get it by contacting your local energy provider – it is sold by purchasing energy credits that help to pay wind and hydroelectric providers so they can continue to expand their production. • In most areas you must volunteer for these programs. Wind and Hydroelectric power currently costs more to produce, but these providers must sell it at the current coal rates. They cannot grow their efforts and therefore drive prices down until we volunteer to pay them the added cost. • What’s the benefit to the environment? • Using “Green” energy dramatically offsets your carbon footprint on the environment. Carbon is what breaks down the atmosphere causing global warming. • The average household uses 900 kWh electricity per month. It will approximately cost you an additional $15 per month to purchase green energy, but using this much green energy will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1800 lbs per month, equivalent to not driving a car 1929 miles or planting 354 trees. • Reducing carbon footprint energy usage within a stationary event/off location event

6. Concessions • Biodegradable cups, plates, etc…..what is this and how does it help? • Biodegradable products are made from corn oil. They will decompose within approximately 80 -120 days after being disposed of. • Biodegradable v. Recycling –it’s all in the contamination factor • Biodegradable Pros • You do not have to worry about contamination as these will break down in a landfill or composting facility • Biodegradable Cons • Cost • Other ways to recycle with concessions: -oils -water refill stations (Sell bottles as part of your merchandise line)

7. Merchandise • Biodegradable Green Pins • What are they? • Made from Corn Oil • How long do they last? • No definite time, but will decompose faster if you leave outside. • How much do they cost? • Nearly double the price of a pin made with recycled plastic. • Different than recycled plastic pins • Organic shirts and other products – what is organic? • Other items • Refillable water bottles • Recyclable pads of paper • Seeds/trees to be planted

9. Education/PR • Creating a Promotional look • Design an icon to use in your green promotions • Make sure your icon has a “Green” look to be easily recognized as representing your green efforts • Use this on all items that relate to the “Green” efforts. Also include a brief mention of “Green” efforts along with icon • Use on all print pieces that are printed on recycled papers or use soy inks • On event programs to promote recycling efforts (Ex. “This event features recycling bins for your use” or “This event uses biodegradable paper products”) • Use on Shirts for volunteers who are helping to recycle at events

10. Education/PR • Working with your local governmental agencies • Most cities are currently implementing “Green” efforts as well. Work with them to collaborate on efforts. Your local government may have recycling bins to loan you and may even work to pick up recycling for you. • Work with other local organizations – Everyone is looking for green media so they will be willing to help. • Selling the media • Create a fun promotion to sell to the media • Involve students and area agencies • Possibly have students painting a recycling bin for use at your event. Everyone wants to see a feel good story, and this helps to educate children about recycling as well as getting you a good hook for the media.

12. Education/PR • Promoting the effort through your events • Promote in your media efforts ways to “Go Green” at your events • Carpool to events • Offer guarded bike parking or Valet Bike parking at your events • Promote Recycling • Set up a display area at your event to educate the public on ways to “Go Green” at home. Include fun area for kids and simple ideas for families: • Recycle!!! It’s Easy! • Unplug small appliances when not in use. • Change light bulbs to the new Compact Fluorescent bulbs. • Run dishwasher only when full. • Turn water heater temperature down to120 degrees. • Save $ and prolong life of tank • Make sure furnace filters are clean to reduce energy use. • Turn thermostat down for 1 degree in winter, up 1 degree in summer. Save 3 percent on energy bill. Open blinds on cold days and close when sunsets. Reverse the process during hot weather. • Refill your water bottle, banish paper plates and other disposable tableware…save lots and lots of trash! • Paper or plastic bags? Neither. Use a reusable tote bag. • Purchase Green Energy (average household cost $15 per mo.)

13. Use recycling bins at Festival events • Ride your bike to Thunder and Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville • Car pool to Derby Festival events • Purchase Derby Festival Go Green Biodegradable Pin • Join the Derby Festival and purchase Green Energy for your home or office visit www.eon-us.com

14. Recycling at Events • Thunder • Parade • Marathon • Fest-a-Ville • Chow Wagon • WineFest • Run for the Rose’

15. Costs Associated with Going Green • Cost of going green: Approximately $50,000 • Organic T-shirts cost: 100% more • Recycled Paper cost: 10% more • Biodegradable Pins cost: 150% more • Energy credit cost approx $2500 a year

16. Questions?

17. Contact Information Michael E. Berry Kentucky Derby Festival 1001 S. Third Street Louisville, KY 40203 502-584-6383 mberry@kdf.org See you in Boise!