Do you know where to go to recycle your old mobile phone or how to make sure your carpeting doesn’t end up in a landfill?

Photos

Photo 1 of 1

Loading...

TV host and author Sara Snow checks on the compost bins in her backyard. She’ll be a speaker at the first Green Fest Indy in March. PHOTO: Frank Espich / The Star

Living a greener lifestyle can take some work, but Green Fest Indy 2010 is trying to make it easier. Indiana’s first-ever green expo has a mission to inform, educate and connect green businesses and organizations with each other and the public.

About 300 vendors will make an appearance March 26 through 28 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds’ Toyota Expo Hall.

“What we are trying to do with Green Fest Indy 2010 is to take the whole idea of green and eco-friendly mainstream — to make it easy for the regular Joe on the street to think about the things that they can do, not just to save the planet, but to save money,” said Tina Jesson, event director.

The expo also will feature community-based nonprofits, workshops, an interactive game area for kids and a fashion show of recycled garments made by local design students. Speakers will include celebrities such as Sara Snow, host of TV’s “Get Fresh with Sara Snow” and a Butler University graduate.

“It’s going to be a place for the whole family to get involved,” said Jesson, who expects the event to draw 10,000 to 30,000 attendees. “There’s something for everyone and every age group. We want to make it easier for all people to be a little greener every day. It’s the little things we do that are going to add up and make a big difference.”

The green zones
Expo exhibits will be divided into zones: Reduce It, Recycle It, Reuse It, Renewable, Health, Learning — which includes community projects and nonprofit organizations — and Green Jobs, a place for companies and jobseekers to connect.

“We’ve put these zones together to try to help the public find their way around,” Jesson said. “There will be a good mix of different companies.”

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis has signed on to promote ReStore, which raises money by selling donated home-improvement items.

“Our Indy store is relatively new,” said Tom Graves, ReStore manager. “We wanted to be associated with Green Fest Indy because it’s a way for donors and other people to find out about us.”

He noted that Indiana’s green movement is gaining traction, but the green community still is fragmented and unorganized.

“Green Fest is starting out well-organized and is willing to network with all people related to the green movement,” Graves said. “I see this show becoming a catalyst where everyone involved with the green movement comes together and finds out about one another. That’s what’s been missing in the past.”

Get involved
The Indiana Green Business Awards will debut at an awards ceremony and gala dinner March 25. Nominations are being accepted for businesses that are striving to implement green practices.

Volunteer opportunities are available now through the end of the event. For more information and to nominate your business, visit www.greenfestindy.com or call (317) 641-1919.

“We just want people to think about how to go a little bit greener every day,” Jesson said. “It doesn’t have to be a massive mountain to climb.”

—By Shari Held For Custom Publications

Get green updates on Twitter. Follow us @greenindycom.