Zw A2 Street Art Fair Report 2009

Zero Waste Pilot Program 2009 / Year Two
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair - The Original
Expansion of enhanced recycling program to
include compost and vendor compliance.
Reflections, Summary
& Recommendations for 2010
A cooperative project between:
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair – The Original
The Ecology Center of Ann Arbor
Recycle Ann Arbor
The City of Ann Arbor
Author and Zero Waste Consultant to The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair - The Original
Valerie Jenner, Sustainability Auditor
Every Day Change Communications
Ann Arbor, MI
Photographer: Valerie Jenner unless stated.
IF YOU ARE NOT FOR ZERO WASTE, HOW MUCH WASTE ARE YOU FOR?
– ERIC LOMBARDI, MASTERMIND OF ECOCYCLE IN BOULDER COLORADO

The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair – The Original
Zero Waste Pilot – Year Two
Page 2 of 2
INTRODUCTION BY SHARY BROWN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.................................................................... 4
GLOSSARY ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6
THE EVENT ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair - The Original................................................................................................................. 8
Purpose of the Enhanced Zero Waste Pilot.............................................................................................................. 8
Goals ........................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Background To The Zero Waste Pilot....................................................................................................................... 9
EVENT BREAKDOWN...................................................................................................................................................... 10
The Townie Street Party........................................................................................................................................... 10
The Townie Street Party Summary.......................................................................................................................... 11
The Street Art Fair – The Original.......................................................................................................................... 12
The Street Art Fair 2009 Summary ......................................................................................................................... 13
VOLUNTEERS.................................................................................................................................................................. 14
Volunteer Information Sheet.................................................................................................................................... 15
Volunteer Placement Map........................................................................................................................................ 16
Volunteer Feedback.................................................................................................................................................. 18
SPECIAL OPERATIONS CREW ......................................................................................................................................... 19
VENDORS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 20
Vendor Feedback...................................................................................................................................................... 20
FOOD VENDOR CONTRACT ................................................................................................................................ 21
FOOD VENDOR ZERO WASTE CONTRACT ADDENDUM .............................................................................. 23
COMPOST PROGRAM ...................................................................................................................................................... 24
Tuthill Farms ............................................................................................................................................................ 24
2009 WASTE MANAGEMENT OBSERVATIONS .............................................................................................................. 25
Dumpster Fill Capacity............................................................................................................................................ 26
RECYCLING FILL RATES ................................................................................................................................................ 27
Results ....................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Front Of House......................................................................................................................................................... 29
Back Of House .......................................................................................................................................................... 29
Back Of House Bin Contents ................................................................................................................................... 30
GLITCHES AND SOLUTIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 31
CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................................................. 33
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2010 ............................................................................................................................. 34
Quick Facts And Recommendation Sheet ............................................................................................................... 34
DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................................................... 35
Leadership And Commitment................................................................................................................................... 35
Zero Waste Coordinator (ZWC).............................................................................................................................. 35
Composting ............................................................................................................................................................... 36
Front Of House Recycling Stations......................................................................................................................... 36
Volunteers ................................................................................................................................................................. 37
Community ................................................................................................................................................................ 38
Education .................................................................................................................................................................. 38
APPENDIX A.................................................................................................................................................................... 39
A REVIEW....................................................................................................................................................................... 39
Tenets of Zero Waste................................................................................................................................................ 39

Page 3 of 3
APPENDIX B.................................................................................................................................................................... 40
2007 Recycle Bin Station Placement Map .............................................................................................................. 40
2008 Bin Station Set-up Map................................................................................................................................... 41
2009 Townie Street Party Bin Placement ............................................................................................................... 42
2009 Ann Arbor Street Art Fair – The Original Recycling Bin Placement......................................................... 43
APPENDIX C.................................................................................................................................................................... 44
Using Near-Infrared Sorting To Recycle PLA Bottles........................................................................................... 44
APPENDIX D.................................................................................................................................................................... 45
The Difference Between Degradable And Biodegradable Plastics....................................................................... 45
Bioware Standards ................................................................................................................................................... 45
APPENDIX E.................................................................................................................................................................... 52
Independent Compostablity Validation Test........................................................................................................... 52

Page 4 of 4
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original
Zero Waste Initiative 2009
Introduction by Shary Brown, Executive Director
It is with great satisfaction that I write this introduction to the final report from the second phase
of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair’s Zero Waste Initiative. As executive director of the Ann Arbor
Street Art Fair for the past 11 years (with 10 years before that as the Art Fair Director of The
Guild’s Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair) it has been a challenging and exhilarating experience full
of change and opportunities. Yet, the focus of the Street Art Fair has been consistent over our 50
year history--it’s all about the quality and originality of the art and connecting the artists who
make the art with an appreciative audience and community. In addition to the Fair, five years
ago we launched The Townie Street Party, A Kick Off to the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, which has
grown from about 1500 attendees to a major celebration hosting over 12,000 locals in only 4.5
hours this year.
Our longevity is based on being a leader locally, state wide, and nationally bringing benefit to the
local economy as well as the cultural and business climate of Ann Arbor and environs. The Zero
Waste Initiative is a perfect example of the type of collaborative project that is sustainable, on
the leading edge, and is valued by the participants and our community and has contributed to the
enduring success of the Street Art Fair. Even in these tough economic times the Fair has
succeeded by being relevant and thoughtful in its mission and operations and it has been my
pleasure to be apart of it all.
The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is the Original of the four art fairs now comprising the Ann Arbor
Art Fairs, which take place for four days each July. These fairs collectively attract an audience
of one half a million and occupy nearly 30 blocks of downtown Ann Arbor.
The Street Art Fair started in 1960 on South University Avenue as a complement to Summer
Bargain Days organized by the area merchant associations. The Art Fair quickly became a major
event in the community and garnered national attention. Over the years additional fairs were
added in the other shopping districts (State Street and Main Street) and adjacent to the University
of Michigan’s central campus (State Street). With the Fairs drawing more than a 1000 artists and
large numbers of visitors, collaborative logistical planning became essential and the Mayor’s
Committee on Art Fairs was established as the coordinating body. So each fair not only plans
it’s own event it also works with the other fairs, the city and the university and a number of other
entities to ensure the events are run in a safe, thoughtful and efficient manner. Recycling at least
a portion of the waste generated by this large scale event has been undertaken by the fairs, with
varying levels of achievement, for nearly 20 years.
Following the successful relocation of the Street Art Fair from the South University area to
North University, Thayer and Washington in 2003, long range planning began for the 50th
anniversary. One of the three goals for the 50th
annual Ann Arbor Street Art Fair in 2009 was
pursuing sustainability, both financially and environmentally.

Page 5 of 5
A number of factors provided the basis of the Zero Waste Initiative’s achievements. First is
passion and commitment, particularly from the Initiative’s leaders, to carry the endeavor beyond
the inevitable barriers encountered. Next is finding the right partners and third is enlisting the
dedicated cast of characters to play each role. The final factor in our success was having a
reasonable operational plan, built in stages, and incorporating as much of the existing operational
structure as is possible.
The willingness of the Street Art Fair to undertake the Zero Waste Initiative as a pilot project for
local events wanting to use the system in their own event production brought support from the
Ecology Center, Recycle Ann Arbor, the City of Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor Area Community
Foundation. In the second year the Special Ops Crew, the people who implement the program
on site, hired from Dawn Farm and the Delonis Center primarily, and led by Dawn Farm
counselor, Charles Coleman, was awarded an employment grant from the Washtenaw County
ETCS program. The Initiative also received support from Toyota. So the project leveraged both
government and corporate support, covering the costs of operations in a difficult economy.
Along with the crew are the project managers and volunteers. Shary Brown, Executive Director
and Aaron Gold, Programs Manager developed the program with Valerie Jenner, first as a
volunteer from the Ecology Center and then as a consultant along with city staff, Tom
McMurtrie and Nancy Stone, Ecology Center leader, Mike Garfield, Melissa Uerling from
Recycle Ann Arbor. A host of volunteers from the Ecology Center, Sierra Club and the Street
Art Fair’s loyal volunteer group supplemented the work done at the Fair by the Special Ops
Crew. There are many more staff members and volunteers at each of these organizations who
made a significant contribution to the planning and implementation of the two year launch of the
Zero Waste Initiative and warrant our thanks as well.
Current trends in art also reflect the participating artists’ interest in reuse, repurposing and in
using their creative voice to urge a sustainable environment. The Fair has developed a number
of educational and interactive art programs focusing use of recycled and digital materials both
cutting costs and underscoring the Zero Waste Initiative. Our audience expected Ann Arbor’s
premiere event to have an innovative and forward thinking mode of operation and participated
without the massive volunteer effort we expected would be necessary. So with support from our
participants and attendees, the project has been an amazing and rewarding success.
We are pleased to contribute a sustainable methodology for event logistics to our community for
use by any event wishing to employ these standards in their operations and that this report,
coupled with the 2008 reports, will provide a blueprint for success.

Page 6 of 6
Glossary
Back of House Located in low traffic areas away from the main attractions.
Recycling and trash are consolidated for bulk pick-up into large
dumpsters. Accessible primarily by waste management crews.
Biodegradable
Plastics #6
Petroleum based products containing degradable additives may
take 10 instead of 1000 years to degrade in anaerobic (landfill)
environments. Many are not recommended for commercial
compost sites. Each product needs to be verified for
compostability and biodegradability levels. This labeling is
currently under review due to its lack of clarity on product end of
life.
Compost Items that break down into beneficial nutrients for healthy plants
and soil with microbial assistance in a short period of time.
100% Compost
Product Label
Manmade items that will degrade into fundamental nutrients with
microbial assistance, that can support healthy plant growth and
beneficial to soil.
Cradle to
Cradle
Cyclical motion of creation to recreation of consumer goods
through smart design, eliminating waste streams that remain
stagnant over time and cause harm, waste energy and money.
End of product life imitates nature and can be repurposed over
and over, bypassing the landfill or incineration.
Cradle to
Grave
Using natural resources to create products without consideration
of end of life. Usually ending up in the waste stream.
Dumpster Large 6 cubic yard bins designated for trash or large cardboard
collection. Other sizes are available but were not used in this
project.
Front of House Located in high traffic public areas of the festival or event. Waste
and recycling bins are smaller and in greater numbers than back
of house.
MRF Materials Recovery Facility (pronounced “Murf”). A large
recycling facility, where material is sorted for resale.
Recycling
Stations
Located in areas accessible to the public in high traffic areas.
Consisting of three to four bins to offer recycling options to art
fair participants.
Special
Operations
Crew
(Special Ops)
Special Operations crew were paid temporary staff that provided
assistance where needed around the fair, from set-up, to waste
management to tear down.

Page 7 of 7
Plastic
Recycle
Symbols
Before recycling, plastics are sorted according to their resin
identification code, a method of categorization of polymer
types, which was developed by the Society of the Plastics
Industry in 1988.1
(polyethylene terephthalate)
PET plastic is the most common for single-use bottled
beverages, because it is inexpensive, lightweight and easy to
recycle. It poses low risk of leaching breakdown products.
Recycling rates remain relatively low (around 20%), though
the material is in high demand by remanufacturers.
Bottle shape collected in A2 – expansion under review
(high density polyethylene)
HDPE is a versatile plastic with many uses, especially for
packaging. It carries low risk of leaching and is readily
recyclable into many goods.
Bottle shape collected in A2 – expansion under review
(polypropylene)
Polypropylene has a high melting point, and so is often
chosen for containers that must accept hot liquid. It is
gradually becoming more accepted by recyclers.
Not collected by the City of Ann Arbor but can be taken to
Whole Foods and Bgreen for recycling into Preserve plastics.
Under review in Ann Arbor
(polystyrene)
Polystyrene can be made into rigid or foam products -- in the
latter case it is popularly known as the trademark Styrofoam.
Evidence suggests polystyrene can leach potential toxins into
foods. The material was long on environmentalists' hit lists for
dispersing widely across the landscape, and for being
notoriously difficult to recycle. Most places still don't accept it,
though it is gradually gaining traction.
Miscellaneous
A wide variety of plastic resins that don't fit into the previous
categories are lumped into number 7. A few are even made
from plants (polyactide, PLA) and are compostable.
Polycarbonate is also number 7, and is the hard plastic that
has parents worried these days, after studies have shown it
can leach potential hormone disruptors.
1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_recycling 8/14/09 4:56 PM

Page 8 of 8
The Event
Photographer: Valerie Jenner
Purpose of the Enhanced Zero Waste Pilot
To add a new and enlightened flair to the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair - The Original,
during it’s 50th
anniversary in 2009.
To further lower the Art Fairs’ environmental footprint and embrace the sustainable
lifestyle of cradle-to-cradle product lifecycle instead of cradle-to-grave waste
management practices commonly accepted.
Goals
1. To expand 2008 zero waste pilot program of enhanced recycling to include compost
capture.
2. Replacement of Styrofoam and petroleum plastics among food vendors with
compostable disposable tableware.
3. Minimize bottled water by installing city water fountains and providing refillable
bottles.
4. To maximize amount of resources captured from the landfill and move a close as
possible to zero waste.
5. To practice a progressive movement of festivals and events in Ann Arbor to do the
right thing in eliminating unnecessary and outdated waste management practices.

Page 9 of 9
Background To The Zero Waste Pilot
Shary Brown, Executive Director of The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair - The Original, felt it
essential to implement an enhanced recycling program starting in 2006. This was to
reflect the organization 's commitment to the green initiatives of the city. In turn
elevating the Art Fair to being less intrusive on the environment through innovative and
energized programs. The Zero Waste Compost pilot was to be an additional showcase
during the 50th
anniversary of The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair - The Original.
Reducing the Street Art Fair ' s environmental footprint and carbon emissions has been
in effect for many years before the zero waste pilot.
o Music generators are powered with biodiesel.
o Almost all cardboard and art materials are recycled.
o Vinyl banners, signage, tent poles and many other elements are reused.
o A bottle-recycling program recycled 70,000 bottles in 2007.
Looking for ways to further expand The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair - The Original
recycling program Shary asked Mike Garfield, Director of The Ecology Center of Ann
Arbor, to assist in researching and developing a program for 2008. She wanted the
program to be coupled with developing community art projects, to reflect the recycle-
reuse mentality. Mike suggested the fair should strive for zero waste. In the Fall of 2007
Recycle Ann Arbor and the City of Ann Arbor joined the project. Lacey Doucet, Ecology
Center Community Organizer, asked Valerie Jenner, a volunteer researcher and writer,
if she would put together a report on Zero Waste Festivals and Events.
The project developed into a pilot program to determine if zero waste was achievable
and feasible and could be used by the remaining three art fairs and other interested
festivals and events in the City of Ann Arbor. The full launch of the Zero Waste program
would also be an added attraction to the Street Art Fair 's 50th anniversary in 2009
should the pilot be successful.
Valerie’s report would provide the guidance in order to make it feasible to implement a
project that summer. The Ecology Center and Ann Arbor Street Art Fair (through the
Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation grant) were able to provide a stipend to Valerie
to further make recommendations and remain as consultant to the project. The project
also involved working with the City of Ann Arbor, The University of Michigan, and
Recycle Ann Arbor to fully implement the zero waste pilot.
Shary and her assistant, Aaron Gold, Programs Coordinator, worked hard to implement
the best Zero Waste pilot possible. While there a few frustrating glitches, it was an easy
learning curve with exceptional results.
The program continued in 2009, introducing biocompostable tableware at food vendor
stands backed by a composting program, public water fountains and refillable water
bottles. Concepts, ideas and practices and very possibly expanding into all festivals and
events held in Ann Arbor and Michigan.

Page 10 of 10
"Courtesy of MLive" photo by Peter Leix ' 09
'TSP' photo by Peter Leix '09
Event Breakdown
The annual Ann Arbor Street Art Fair - The Original has two distinct events: The Townie
Street Party and the Street Art Fair – The Original.
The Townie Street Party
Monday July 13, 2009
5:00 – 9:30pm
Monday before the Art Fair:
In only its fifth year, the Townie Street Party has grown to become an event in it’s own
right. Originally meant to provide a bridge and renewed connection for Ann Arborites
who sometimes feel distanced and overwhelmed by the massive art fair. The Townie
Street Party has become an exciting annual festival for locals.
The Townie Street Party is strictly focused on all things
local and is organized to accommodate specialized
activities featuring local musicians, community partners
and cultural organizations, Michigan brewed beer, and city
food vendors ensure the unique feel of community.
Over the past five years, The Townie Street Party has
grown from a single row of large tents in one area to the
full length of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair grounds. This
year’s event hosted over 12,000 attendees up from 7,000
in 2008, in an only four and a half hour event.
The Townie Street Party was the focus of the Zero Waste
Compost pilot. Food vendors all agreed contractually to
provide biocompostable tableware at their food stands.
Biocompostable tableware was supplied by the art fair in the
hospitality and beer tents guaranteeing a high level of quality
control. The Hospitality and Beer tent provided a controlled and distinct area that could
control waste collection completely. Compost bins were also placed in open
environments; volunteers manned all stations.
The compostable tableware (cups, cutlery,
napkins) and food goods were collected in
compost bins and taken to a farm that
specializes in composting. (See Pg.8)
To reduce the number of plastic water bottles
needing recycling, public water fountains were
provided by the city. These fountains tapped
into the fire hydrant system providing multiple
access sites. Boy Scouts sold refillable metal
water bottles to artists and attendees.

Page 11 of 11
2009 Summary
The Townie Street Party Summary
Mon. July 13 (5PM – 9:30PM)
The weather was sunny and comfortably warm.
Attendance increased from an estimate of over 7,000 in 2008 to 12,000,over the four
and a half hour event.
All recycling stations were established prior to
this event and were repositioned for the Street
Art Fair (see maps Appendix B). Compost bins
were concentrated in the beer and hospitality
tents and close to food vendors. Some were
placed around the gardens where diners may
congregate.
After The Townie Street Party 2 out of 3 trash
dumpsters back of house were filled to capacity.
The empty trash dumpster was used to store the
compostable items. This year the fourth bin was
dedicated to cardboard recycling collection and
was overflowing.
Over 95% of all items in the beer tent and the Gold Tent were recyclable, reuseable or
compostable. 1,600 16oz. biocompostable beer corn plastic glasses were collected for
composting. Volunteers directed attendees to deposit their food and all tableware to the
compost bins. Estimated landfill diversion rates from The Townie Street Party would
have been at approximately 95%, except for a few glitches. The amount of compost
collected would have half filled a 6 cubic yard dumpster. 2
(Glitches Pg.22)
To see a breakdown of ratio of between volunteer manned stations and volumes of
compost collected see page 15.
Five of the seven vendors fully complied with the compostable tableware components.
Vendors brought food in reusable metal or tin foil containers. One made an effort but
was mislead by confusing labeling. One vendor did not understand the program and
provided mixed compostable and petroleum products. Confusion of labeling of
biodegradable and compostable of products caused some confusion. See Glitches.
Uncompostable and unrecyclable items were ice cream containers and tops, potato chip
bags3
, toothpicks with cellophane tops, biodegradable petroleum based plates.
2
Based on consensus by the volunteers and final tally of biobags.
3
Frito Lay SunChips has announced it is beginning to use residential compostable bioplastics for
their chip bags now. http://www.sunchips.com/healthier_planet.shtml 8/11/09 10:08 PM

Page 12 of 12
The Street Art Fair – The Original
Wed. July 15 - Sat. July 19,2009
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair - The Original along with the three other art fairs host 500,000
attendees over four days. The current recession did not seem to affect overall
attendance at any of the art fairs. Based on surveys artist’s sales were not affected.
This year there was a unique problem put upon The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair - The
Original. On-site maintenance of the underground tunnels at the University of Michigan,
limited the size and scope of the fair by removing the southern mall access. This
reduced the number of artists’ spaces available to the fair.
Food vendors and music tents were spread throughout the Original Art Fair along with
the 145 juried artists. Informational and educational booths also line the fair.
The Art Fair’s enhanced recycling stations were re-established in the same manner as
2008, to maximize capture for the recycling of nonfood items, paper, cans, bottles and
cardboard.
Zero Waste (Compost collection) continued only at events during the art fair that had
vendor compliance agreements and where they could provide the biocompostable
materials. The Artists Hospitality tent was one of these events. Announcements were
made to visitors to the tent by program coordinator Aaron Gold to raise awareness of
the compostable nature of the tableware and the special bins dedicated to their
collection.
Food vendors during art fair were not all contracted through the Ann Arbor Street Art
Fair - The Original, and a compostable tableware agreement was not issued to vendors
contracted by other organizers. The variation of compostable tableware and standard
plastics and Styrofoam would be too difficult to separate and the compost pilot was
limited to events that were compliant and where contamination was completely
controllable.

Page 13 of 13
The Street Art Fair 2009 Summary
Wed. – Fri. July 15-18 (7AM – 9PM) Sat. July 19 (10AM-6PM)
The weather was sunny and comfortable
Attendance is estimated at around 500,000 for the combined four fairs.
An approximation assumed at least 250,000 attended the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair –
the Original, it is difficult to get an actual count but attendance was not affected by the
current recession.
Observations:
During the Art Fair the cardboard recycling 6 cubic yard dumpster was always
overflowing. The 30-gallon front of house paper recycling bins were emptied throughout
each day.
23 x 96-gallon rolling bottle and can recycling bins on average were not full to capacity
on any day.
Possible Reasons:
• A cool summer
• Refillable bottles sold at fair
• Refillable bottles (brought by attendees and artists)
• City water fountains made available
• Independent Recycling Entrepreneurs (IRA)
Are all credited with the reduced number of bottles and cans collected for
recycling.
Monitoring contamination of the trash bins revealed that cardboard collection can still be
improved but there was little if any contamination of other collectable recyclable items in
the landfill bound dumpsters.
The number of trash dumpsters was reduced from 4 in 2008 to 3 this year and only 2
were regularly filled to capacity with no overflow during the entire art fair.
A very clean site was observed by the author and commented as such by the Special
Ops crew and attendees.

Page 14 of 14
Volunteers
The Ecology Center and Recycle Ann Arbor recruited 11 Green Team Volunteers to
participate in the Zero Waste program for a four-hour shift at the Townie Street Party.
Volunteers’ ages ranged from 12-45 and the experience of volunteers in Zero Waste
ranged from none to expert. The Ecology Center Volunteer Coordinator and Residential
Recycling Coordinator from Recycle Ann Arbor also took part.
All were provided with a volunteer t-shirt and certificate of participation from the Street
Art Fair. The Green Team was given an information sheet on Zero Waste, and any
questions were answered to ensure confidence when answering patrons’ questions.
A tour of each food vendor station was conducted before stations were dedicated. Many
of the vendors had made efforts to comply with biocompostable standards, Five out of
seven fully complied, one tried but was misinformed by the supplier and confusing
labeling of biodegradable vs. compostable, and one did not understand the
requirements and used standard paper plates and regular plastic cutlery.
Each volunteer was able to identify compost material from non and instruct patrons to
the appropriate bins.
Each volunteer was encouraged to give feedback from themselves and patrons on their
observations and suggestions for next year.
Note:
The 2008 Zero Waste Pilot did not involve compost and even with few volunteers to
educate the public, signage was clear and patrons did an outstanding job sorting waste
without guidance into the appropriate bin.
Adding compost to the program was a new element most are unfamiliar with and
compostable dishware was new to most patrons and vendors. This year the volunteers
were invaluable to the success of the program, without them educating attendees and
directing the items to the appropriate bins, bin contamination would have been high and
the program would have failed.
A clear difference in bin contamination could be noted in areas constantly supervised
and those where the volunteers floated attending several areas. Constantly supervised
stations had better control over contamination levels. (See Table 1)

Page 15 of 15
Volunteer Information Sheet
Street Townie Party 13 July 2009
Thank you for volunteering. We can’t do it without you!
Please let us know where you want your certificate of participation sent.
Name: _____________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________
OR
Email: _____________________________________________________________
What is zero waste?
“Instead of managing wastes, we will manage resources and strive to eliminate waste." -
Institute for Local Self Reliance (Wash DC)
What is the difference between biodegradable and compostable?
Biodegradable products break into smaller and smaller pieces of itself often
never dissolving into productive nutrients.
Compostable products require three criteria:
1. Biodegrade - break down into carbon dioxide, water and biomass at the
same rate as cellulose (paper).
2. Disintegrate - the material is indistinguishable in the compost, not visible or
need to be screened out.
3. Eco-toxicity - the biodegradation does not produce any toxic material and
the compost can support plant growth.
Product Made of
Manufactured
in
Fair Trade Composts in*
Bagasse Sugar Cane China From BGreen 30-90 days
Cutlery and
Straws
Corn / Potato USA From BGreen 90-180 days
Cups Corn USA Yes 90-180 days
* Based on commercial facilities, residential composters take 2-3x longer.
Is the compost actually being composted? Yes, local farm, soil and compost
professionals Tuthill Farms in South Lyon, MI are composting all the compostable
tableware and food waste. Recycle Ann Arbor is assisting in the program.
Please add your feedback and patron feedback on back of sheet

Page 16 of 16
Volunteer Placement Map

Page 17 of 17
Table 1: 2009 Correlation Of Volunteer Attendance To Compost Contamination Levels
Area
1.
Food
Vendors
2.
Food
Vendors
3.
Eating Area /
Garden
4.
Fenced Beer
Tent
5.
Fenced
Hospitality
Tent
# Compost
Stations
1 3 4 3 3
#
Volunteers
2 2 2 3 3
Volunteer
Commitment
Level
High
High
Rotation
Low
Rotation
High High
Level of Control Med Poor Poor High High
Collection
Rates
High Low Low High High
Contamination High High High
2 clean /1
unacceptable
Nil
The younger volunteers together as support and to keep them engaged. Adults manned
the alcohol areas independently and were within site of each other. Breaks were given
based on individual needs.
Observations:
1. All patrons were able to recycle bottles, cans and paper, normally at the recycling
stations without direction and those contamination levels were low.
2. Composting is a new program and compostable tableware a new concept that
needed constant intervention by the volunteers to prevent it from being tossed in the
landfill containers.
3. Bin contamination was kept low by isolating compostables to the correct container
only in isolated well-controlled areas, which were individually manned by an adult
volunteer.
4. The fenced areas provided only compostable tableware and this made the direction
of patrons much easier. The few items not compostable (toothpicks with cellophane
tips) need to be avoided unless the acceptable by the composter.
5. Rotation of volunteers between bin stations was educational for patrons they were
able to instruct but overall an unmanned compost station was not viable.
6. Adult volunteers were better able to get the attention of the patrons to direct them to
the correct bin.
7. Commitment level of the volunteers needs to be high to succeed and 9 of11
volunteers in this program were highly motivated to promote the composting
program.
8. Offer of a certificate of participation enticed many more volunteers to sign up than
last year when only one came for a single two-hour shift.

Page 18 of 18
Volunteer Feedback
To improve compostable program next year:
1. Lack of clear signage was a major impediment to success.
2. Need bold easily read signage for all bins
3. Water easily accessible to volunteers needed.
4. All Vendor items brought to fair need to be checked and approved by composter
ahead of time, to eliminate any confusion and maintain consistency.
5. Physical Samples taped or nailed to bins to identify acceptable content
6. Bin arrangement was not conclusive to a successful program – compost bins
were the same as the trash bins
7. Bin station need to be rearranged.
8. Consistency in bin type important: Paper / Container and Compost bins should
be 96 gallon rolling bins with appropriate top
9. Garbage bin needs to be smaller/different from and not together but near zero
waste bins with clear signage that this is going to the landfill.
10.Clear fun signage at food vendors and beer tent informing people in line that the
tableware is made of sugar, potato and corn to raise awareness while they wait
for service.
11. In beer tent one compost bin station had a lot of problems.
a. It was located in a tight corner of a tent that got very busy so patrons just
threw their tableware and cups in the first bin they could reach.
b. The banner over the bins was in the view of the music tent and was
disassembled removing the identifying labels of each bin.
c. The bins were then moved to the fence line that separated the hospitality
tent from the beer tent (clearer space)
d. The bins were removed again when the hospitality tent service ended and
the barrier between them was removed to accommodate the growing beer
tent patrons.

Page 19 of 19
Special Operations Crew
The Special Ops crew is temporarily
employed staff by the Ann Arbor Street Art
Fair – The Original for the duration of the Art
Fair and The Townie Street Party. Recruited
as a community service from Dawn Farm and
the Delonis Shelter. 24 Special Ops
crewmembers daily rotate around The Street
Art Fair and perform different tasks on
different shifts over six days. The crew is
supervised by a social worker on site. One
shift includes maintaining trash and recycling
stations. Specially designed brightly colored t-shirts easily identified the crew
Feedback from the Special Ops crew was very
similar to last year although many were new to the
program. They preferred the enhanced recycling
system and stated it made their jobs easier and
cleaner. Special Ops crews were fundamental in
controlling contamination and site cleanliness and
did an exceptional job.
Recycling bin stations were regularly monitored
and never got to the point of overflowing.
Special Ops crews were directed to not sort
contaminated bins for health and safety reasons.
They observed that there was little contamination; people independently made a point of
ensuring items were placed in correct bins.
The compost pilot was not clearly understood by the crew. Time restrictions made it
difficult to communicate the added program to all the crew. Confusion over where to put
the bags of compost was the biggest problem. Originally the bins were planned to be 96
gallon rolling bins that would be rolled to a central pick-up location but they were
substituted with standard trashcans at the last minute. Because the bins filled up
quickly inside the hospitality and beer tents, they needed to be removed and refreshed.
A decision was made to place the full bags in a trash dumpster at the North University
pick-up because the third dumpster was completely empty. Special biocompostable
bags were used in the compost bins and were in limited stock and expensive. This was
difficult to provide bags at all times to the many different locations, but the crews made
best efforts for consistency.
Overall the special Operations Crew managed the pilot program well despite the
glitches and contamination levels in the dumpsters were limited. (See Glitches)

Page 20 of 20
Vendors
The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair – The Original, manages all The Street Townie Party food
vendors.
All vendors agreed contractually to use bio-compostable tableware products and to
separate food compost this year that were contracted by the Street Art Fair. The Street
Art Fair in exchange for donated food and to maintain quality control provided the
biocompostable tableware in the beer and hospitality tents.
Vendor Feedback
Sales
All food vendor reported satisfactory sales in 2009.
Availability of Compostable Tableware
1. Biocompostable tableware was easy to find with the opening of BGreen on South
Industrial.
2. Gordon’s Food also carried some compostable products but not a full line. Plates
offered were biodegradable #6 plastic recycling code made with petroleum base
designed for landfill degradation.
Cost
1. Prices between the two suppliers were reported as comparable by most vendors.
One vendor found bioware sample spoons considerably more expensive but still
bought them to participate.
2. The price of the compostable tableware was reported as slightly higher but not a
deterrent to participating in the program.
Satisfaction
Five of the seven vendors said they were satisfied with the pilot and the compostable
products and look forward to next year.
The sixth vendor was bound by large corporation policies to use products in their
preferred vendor list and found the one item they needed costly but looks forward to
next year and would comply again.
The seventh did not fully understand the pilot and did not comply but is willing to try
again next year.
Continuation of Bioware into standard business practices.
Three of the vendors have expressed interest in procuring compostable tableware into
daily operations based on this experience.

Page 21 of 21
Monday, July 13th, 2009 5:00pm-9:30pm
Under the Big Tents on North University (between Fletcher & Thayer)
FOOD VENDOR CONTRACT
Thank you for participating in the Fifth-Ever Townie Street Party, a kick-off celebration to the 50
th
Anniversary Street Art Fair, the Original.
Please review the contract details and sign and date below.
Food Vendor agrees to:
FOOD VENDOR shall sell food and/or beverages, as identified in a menu approved by the Ann
Arbor Street Art Fair (AASAF), at the TOWNIE STREET PARTY (TSP) on July 13, 2009, at a site
location to be determined by AASAF. FOOD VENDOR must staff and keep open its assigned
service area between the hours of 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm on July 13, 2009. Any exception to
these hours must be approved in advance by AASAF.
FOOD VENDOR shall pay vendor fee of $300.00, via check made payable to “Ann Arbor Street
Art Fair, Inc.”, upon signing this agreement.
FOOD VENDOR shall comply with our Zero Waste standards – please see Food Vendor Zero
Waste Contract Addendum for details.
FOOD VENDOR shall furnish business name and logo to AASAF prior to May 29, 2009 in order
to receive full benefits detailed below.
FOOD VENDOR shall obtain and adequately display all necessary permits from the City of Ann
Arbor, Washtenaw County and the State required to participate in this event. FOOD VENDOR
must fully comply with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, including laws and regulations
relating to permits required to carry on the food service activities contemplated under this
agreement, including but not limited to the registration of any required retail licenses, the
collection of State Sales and Use Tax, and the payment of collected monies tax laws and
guidelines issued by the Michigan Department of the Treasury.
FOOD VENDOR is responsible for the cost of securing all food, beverages, and supplies
necessary to participate in this event.
FOOD VENDOR is solely responsible for the set-up, break-down and clean-up of its assigned
space. On the day of the event and at the direction of AASAF, FOOD VENDOR set up shall occur
between the hours of 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM, and FOOD VENDOR break-down and clean-up shall
occur between the hours of 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM, leaving its assigned space in good condition.
FOOD VENDOR agrees to work respectfully and responsively with the AASAF
o To ensure the selling of vendor products is not harmful to the nearby artwork
o To ensure the area around the vendor space is cleanly maintained
FOOD VENDOR agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold the AASAF, its officers, agents,
volunteers and employees harmless with respect to any claim of any type arising out of FOOD
VENDOR’s agreement to participate in this event, and acknowledges that AASAF, and its

Page 22 of 22
officers, agents, volunteers and employers shall not be held liable for any resulting loss or
damage to FOOD VENDOR’s supplies or goods.
FOOD VENDOR shall secure and maintain general commercial liability, including contractual
liability and product liability insurance with a limit of $1,000,000.00, automobile liability with an
adequate limit, and workers’ compensation per statutory requirements for FOOD VENDOR’s
participation in this event, naming AASAF as an additional insured. FOOD VENDOR shall
provide a certificate of insurance evidencing all required coverage to AASAF no later than July 1,
2009.
Food Vendor receives:
A designated site, approximately 10’ x 20’ on the Party street to conduct the above described food
service activities
FOOD VENDOR’S business name on the TSP volunteer t-shirt
FOOD VENDOR’S business logo on the TSP annual promotional poster
FOOD VENDOR’S business link/logo on TSP web page
FOOD VENDOR’S business logo on 4 prominently placed Thank You Boards at the Party
Approved use of The Townie Street Party’s name/logo in FOOD VENDOR’S media
The TOWNIE STREET PARTY will take place rain or shine! No refunds will be granted to FOOD VENDOR in
the event of cancellation.
AASAF reserves the right to determine the dimensions and location of FOOD VENDOR’s designated site, and
to adjust and modify these arrangements as AASAF determines necessary.
Accepted by:
AASAF: FOOD VENDOR:
______________________________ ______________________________
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, Inc.
By: __________________ Date: ____ By: __________________ Date: _____
Its:_____________________________ Its:_____________________________
Please provide the following information:
Business Name_______________________________ Address_______________ City, Zip _________
Contact Name________________________________ Phone Number___________________________
Fax Number _________________________________ Email__________________________________
Website ____________________________________
Detail exactly how name/logo should appear: ________________________________________________
The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation.
Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

2009 Enhanced Zero Waste Program
Page 23 of 23
FOOD VENDOR ZERO WASTE CONTRACT ADDENDUM
Zero Waste Pilot Program
Zero Waste is the principles and practices that work towards shifting our economy and culture
away from one that sends everything off to the landfill to one that sends almost nothing there.
This means redesigning products that can be recycled or composted more easily, which
reduces needless waste.
The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair and Townie Street Party are in the second year of a two year Zero
Waste Pilot Program. In 2008, we implemented a new recycling program with 23 Recycle
Stations, collecting 8.67 tons of recyclable waste, resulting in a 41% landfill diversion rate. In
2009, we are implementing composting and bulk water delivery programs to further reduce the
amount of waste we send to the landfill.
For the 2009 Townie Street Party, Food Vendors must comply with our Zero Waste goals in the
following ways:
1. All food must be served on fully biodegradable and compostable tableware and
silverware. Petroleum based plastic and Styrofoam are not allowed on site.
2. All plates, bowls, cups, take out food containers, utensils and napkins must be made out
of either PLA plastic made from corn, Plastarch Material (PSM) a biodegradable resin
made from corn, potato starch resin, or bagasse made from sugar cane fibers.
3. Inform your patrons that you are serving your food on compostable table wear and ask
them to dispose of all compostables and food waste in the proper receptacles.
4. If you sell commercially packaged beverages in plastic or glass bottles (ie. juice, pop)
they must be recyclable. Please ask your patrons to recycle these materials at one of
our blue recycle stations.
5. Dispose of food preparation waste in Food Vendor compost receptacles to be picked up
at the end of the night by Street Art Fair staff.
6. Do not throw away any back of house supplies that could be recycled. All paper, glass
bottles and recyclable plastic must be recycled at one of our blue recycle stations.
Please flatten and stack all cardboard and Street Art Fair staff will pick it up after the
event.
7. We will provide each Food Vendor with a Zero Waste info-sheet to be displayed in each
Food Vendor booth to help with patron education.
Gordon Food Service 5% Commercial Discount: through a partnership with the Street Art
Fair, Gordon Food Service will give a 5% commercial discount to all vendors ordering supplies
to be used at either the Townie Street Party or Street Art Fair. When you make an order, let
Brad Webster, Manager of the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti location on 3800 Carpenter Rd. know that
you are participating in one of our events.
Thank you for your cooperation – we’re very excited to move even closer to becoming a
Zero Waste Event!

Page 24 of 24
Compost Program
Tuthill Farms
The Tuthill family has been farming in Green Oak Township of Livingston County
Michigan since 1833.4
Traditionally they raised, trained and boarded horses, produced
crops, dairy products, hogs, poultry and beef on their 185-acre farm. Surrounded by
urban development in Livingston County the Tuthill’s recognized an opportunity in a
1995 yard waste ban.
According to Sandra Tuthill, co-owner of Tuthill Farms, Michigan is a prime location to
create compost. During winter the additional water from melted snow assists in keeping
the developing compost moist and active. Summer time provides warm temperatures
that can aid in raising compost to over 170 degrees, depending on rainfall.
The Tuthill’s recognized a business opportunity
turning organic waste into compost that could
be used as a soil amendment for crops. For
over 30 years their crops have mostly been
grown without the use of chemical fertilizers,
herbicides or pesticides. Compost is spread
on their fields and on rented land to produce
hay, corn, and oats.
Located only 14 miles from Ann Arbor, they
have started to accept biocompostable
tableware and foodstuffs from the Ross School
of business and agreed to take the
compostables of the Ann Arbor Street Fair.
Steve Sheldon of Recycle Ann Arbor agreed to deliver the compostables to Tuthill
Farms.
When starch based tableware and food waste is received, a loader is used to open up a
core of yard waste that is approx. 165 degrees. High temperatures assist in breaking
down the materials in 1 week or more depending on moisture levels and frequency of
turning the pile. Decomposed wastes are then sifted or screened and cured. Finished
compost resembles black soil and is used as a soil amendment. Compost produced at
the Tuthill Farms is an average of 2 years old.
Composting concerns
Contamination was a prime concern of Tuthill Farms and any contaminated bags would
be refused and sent back with the delivery to be land filled.
Compostables were collected in compostable corn based plastic biobags.
4
http://www.tuthillfarms.com 7/17/09 4:36 PM

Page 25 of 25
2009 Waste Management Observations
Day One Set-up
Recycling Stations
Photographer: Valerie Jenner
Recycling Stations consisted of:
1 x 96-gallon rolling bins with specialized opening in the top for paper collection,
2 x 36-gallon blue barrel for trash with no top and paper with slotted top,
2 x cement filled buckets with tube base for poles,
2 x bamboo poles, signifying renewable wood sources
1 x recycled vinyl banner (from student events) painted with recycling items over
each bin and an arrow pointing down to respective bin.
Banners were held on by biodegradable string.
Each container had a written sign identifying desired contents. The trash was lined
with standard plastic bags, no lining was used for the others.
Compost Stations had an additional
1 x 36-gallon blue bin with no lid placed away from the trash bin.
These were lined with Biobags made of compostable corn.
Bin placement maps from 2007 to present can be found in Appendix B.

Page 26 of 26
Dumpster Fill Capacity
Table 2: Back of House Landfill
Landfill / Trash 2007 2008 2009
Dumpsters
Base
line
# Of Bins 4 4 3
Bin Size Cubic Yd 6 6 6
Trash Over Flow? Yes No No
Bin Add? 1 0 -1
Total Real 5 4 2
% Street Party Mon. 100 100 65
% Art Fair – The Original Wed. 100 75 65
% Art Fair – The Original Thurs. 100 65 65
% Art Fair – The Original Fri. 100 75 65
% Art Fair – The Original Sat. 100 65 65
Avg. % 100 70 65
Total dumpsters Landfilled 25 15 10
Total dumpsters Diverted - 10 15
Change from 2007 % - 41% 60%
Change from 2008 % - - 15%
Tons Landfilled 50 30 20
Tons 5
Diverted 0 20 30
2007 All 4 x 6 cubic yard trash dumpsters were utilized, with trash bags overflowing each night.
It was assumed that there was enough trash daily to necessitate 5 x 6 cubic yard dumpsters
nightly.
2008 Zero Waste pilot, 2.5 trash dumpsters out of 5 were filled on four days and filled to
capacity for only one. All recycling bins were full to maximum daily. A lot of cardboard
contamination was noted. 10 x 6 cubic yd. dumpsters were diverted from landfill. Our estimate
of weights based on visual inspection of the bin contents suggests that 7 tons were diverted
from 2007.
2009, Zero Waste Pilot Yr.2, only 2 out of 3 dumpsters held trash. One dumpster was empty.
The empty dumpster was used to hold compost bags collected during the Townie Street Party
that was attended by 12,000 people, up from 7,500 in 2008.
The 15 dumpster loads diverted from a maximum of 25 over the five day event equals a 60%
landfill diversion rate in the second year pilot program. This is excluding the bottles and cans
recycled by Independent Recycling Entrepreneurs (IRE), which did occur.
When the cardboard dumpster was full, the excess cardboard was placed outside of the
dumpster at the request of the city. Excess cardboard was noted outside of the cardboard
dumpster every night leading to the conclusion that a second designated 6 cubic cardboard-only
dumpster needs to be implemented in 2010.
5
Numbers are approximate and maximum. There is no weight quantification available from the city of Ann Arbor but Recycle Ann Arbor did
provide approximations for different weights. 6 cubic yards =1212 gallons =12.5 96 gallon bins x ~184 lbs/96 gallon container = 2.335 tons per
dumpster. For this report I based dumpster tonnage at 2 tons/dumpster. A little less than the quantification/96 gallon rolling bin.
http://www.asknumbers.com/cubic-yard-to-gallon.aspx 8/17/09 4:01 PM

Page 27 of 27
Recycling Fill Rates
Table 3: Cart Fill Rates
2009 ART FAIR RECYCLING FILL RATES & WEIGHTS
Paper Date Fill Weight/Bin 6 cubic yd Total Total
% Lbs Dumpster Lbs. Tons
Includes July 13/09 125% 1000 1 1500 0.75
Cardboard,
magazines, July 15/09 150% 1000 1 1800 0.90
flyers, maps,
and misc. July 16/09 125% 1000 1 1500 0.75
Cardboard July 17/09 150% 1000 1 1800 0.90
was largest
% July 18/09 150% 1000 1 1800 0.90
Total Collected 8400 4.20
Containers Date Fill Weight/Bin
# Of 96
Gallon Total Total
% Lbs Bins Full Lbs. Tons
Includes: July 13/09 100% 125 23 125 0.06
Plastic pop
and water July 15/09 74% 125 17 2125 1.06
bottles, cans July 16/09 100% 125 23 2875 1.44
July 17/09 50% 125 10 1281 0.64
Very little
glass July 18/09 35% 125 7 875 0.44
Total Collected 7281 3.64
Total Landfill Diversion 12,881 7.84
Weights based on:
Paper Dumpster 6 cubic yd. 800 Based on how much cardboard
/Cardboard Dumpster 6 cubic yd. 800 Full of office paper
Containers Full cart 96 gallons 150-200 With a lot of glass
Full cart 96 gallons 75 Plastic bottles only

Page 28 of 28
Quantification
Assumed weights across the board of 125 lbs./ 96-gallon container bin were used as no
true weights were available. Estimates were based on visual inspection, pictures of bin
contents and understood averages for particular content by both Recycle Ann Arbor and
this researcher. The percentages provided in Table #3, are from Recycle Ann Arbor and
observation.
No accurate landfill diversion can be noted due to a lack of real quantifiable tonnage.
Almost all Zero Waste events reviewed in the preliminary report around the country and
internationally, have been able to document tonnage diverted by adding actual recycling
tonnage to the total weight of trash land filled and dividing for a percentage. This
researcher has been assured that Ann Arbor currently has no economically feasible
means to quantify tonnage of trash collected from individual dumpsters. 6
Thusly,
estimates provided in this research are based on recyclables collected only.
Collection System
Front of House: The area of recycling stations visible and accessible to attendees.
Back of House: The consolidation collection site of large dumpsters, behind the fair.
Results
During the Townie Street Party (July 13, 2009) 4 tons of cardboard up from 3.5 tons in
2008 were collected. Bottle and can collections were down from 4 tons in 2008 to 3.5
tons this year.
Possible Reasons:
• A cool summer
• Refillable bottles sold at fair
• Refillable bottles (brought by attendees and artists)
• City water fountains made available
• Independent Recycling Entrepreneurs (IRA)
.
In total almost 8 tons were recycled and The Street Art Fair – The Original sent only 10
dumpster loads to be landfilled down from 25 sent in 2007 and 15 in 2008.
Cardboard can still be recovered from the dumpsters and a means of collecting
Styrofoam would further reduce loads sent to the landfills in 2010.
6
As per City of Ann Arbor Solid Waste management supervisor Thomas McMurtrie email Aug.28 8:08am “We did not weigh the Art Fair trash
dumpsters separately from the other dumpsters we serviced. I can try to provide an estimate if you like.Weighing the materials would require a
trip to the transfer station to empty the trucks beforehand, then a trip back to the transfer station with the Art Fair materials to weigh those. In
addition to being an inefficient use of staff and vehicle time (which is very tight these days), it is also increasing our carbon footprint for an event
that is supposed to be environmentally beneficial.”

Page 29 of 29
Front Of House
Enhanced Recycling: The front and the back of the
house were perceptively very clean and organized.
No waste was left outside of any bins and the
grounds had little debris to remove outside of the
recycling stations. Contamination was almost nil
and easily identified and moved to the correct bin.
With clear signage and an abundance of recycling
stations available patrons and vendors were able to
dispose of items and make good decisions in their
bin choices.
Back Of House
2009, 3 x 6-cubic yard trash dumpsters plus 1 x 6-cubic yard paper/cardboard dumpster
were located on North University for pick-up by the City of Ann Arbor.
23 bottle/can 96-gallon rolling recycling carts were moved to pick-up along Washington
Street for pick-up by Recycle Ann Arbor.
2008, 18 x 96-gallon recycling bins were placed along with 4 large 6-cubic yard trash
dumpsters on an island on North University Avenue.
Bottle and can bins were often full and were also recycled by Independent Recycling
Entrepreneurs. IRE’s were encouraged and actively assisted in maintaining low bin
contamination.
In 2007, all 4 x 6-cubic yard dumpsters were filled to overflowing and a fifth dumpster
could have been utilized and filled to keep the site clean.
In 2008, only three of the four trash dumpsters were used and the forth was only filled
on the first day of the art fair during set-up.
In 2009 only 2 out of three dumpsters were used.
Container recycling bins were often less than half full.
The site was always clean except for some cardboard overflow.
No trash bags littered the area.
A second separate 6-cubic yard dumpster for cardboard only would be optimal.

Page 30 of 30
Back Of House Bin Contents
Cardboard was the primary component of the paper recycling bins and had it’s own
dedicated cardboard dumpster. Cardboard is estimated to be over 80% of the paper
content.
The placement of the cardboard dumpster in front of the trash dumpsters created a
problem. Trash was being
dumped by attendees in the
first dumpster they came to so
it was moved to the rear and
this removed contamination
concerns.
Excess cardboard was placed
outside of dumpster for pick-
up. Collection of cardboard
collection can still be
improved. Most of the
contamination in the trash bin
was cardboard.
Having a separate pick-up area for
recycled bottles and cans was a
cleaner option than having
everything grouped together.
Bottle and can bins were unusually empty. This could
be due to a cooler summer, more people carrying
their own refillable bottles, the sale of refillable bottles
and easy access to water fountains. Independent
recycling entrepreneurs may have also contributed to
the low percentage collected as well.

Page 31 of 31
Glitches And Solutions
Compost Bin:
Glitch 1: Originally the compost was going to be collected in 96 gallon front of the
house rolling bins to be rolled to the back of house for pick-up and delivery to Tuthill
Farms. Standard non-rolling 36-gallon collection bins were actually supplied and looked
identical to the trash bin. Compostable beer and wine glasses and large plates were
bulky and took up a lot of space requiring several bags changes during the Townie
Street Party. The smaller compost bin created a problem of storage for bags removed
during event.
Solution 1: Need designated staging bin in the back of house to store compost bags
during event and until removal, regardless of what size and style the front of house bin
is used.
Explanation 1: 98% of all waste from the beer tents and hospitality tents can be
captured for composting. This amounts to a large volume captured in a short period of
time. 600 dinners were served and 2000 beer and wine beverages in only 4.5 hours.
Disposable food containers are bulky and numerous and food waste is heavy and
required constant changing throughout the event.
Glitch 2: Due to the high volume of compostables collected during the Townie Street
Party a location needed to be found quickly that would house the biobags until pickup
the next morning by Recycle Ann Arbor. The compostable were placed inside an empty
6 cubic yd. dumpster at the primary collection location on North University. The
dumpster was labeled compost by the program coordinator but it was picked up as trash
the next morning through miscommunication with the city.
Solution2: A designated back of the house collection area needs to be supplied to
separate and secure the compostable items until scheduled pick-up
Explanation2: It is estimated that 20 full biobags were collected, approx. - 1/2 of the
6 cubic yd. container.
Glitch 3: Similar looking waste and compost bins aided in confusion for the patrons and
a problem for the volunteers to trying to distinguish between the containers and reduce
the risk of contamination during the very busy event.
The two identical bins although labeled differently needed to be placed away from each
other.
Solution 3: Clear and easy to follow signage will greatly reduce confusion and
contamination concerns. Actual taped or stapled board demonstrating real items over
the proper bin would be optimal.
Explanation 3: Patrons demonstrated last year that they are willing to do the right thing
and contamination was low.

Page 32 of 32
Glitch 4: In beer tent one compost bin station had a lot of problems. It was located in a
tight corner of a tent that got very busy so patrons just threw their tableware and cups in
the first bin they could reach. The volunteer was wedged in a corner or swamped by
festive patrons. The banner over the bins restricted the view of the music tent causing
one patron to be abusive to the volunteer. The banner was disassembled removing the
identifying labels of each bin. The bins were then repositioned to the fence line that
separated the hospitality tent from the beer tent (clearer space) and then needed to be
removed again when the hospitality tent service ended and the barrier between them
was removed to accommodate the growing beer tent patrons.
Solution 4a: Bin stations need to be placed in an open flow area, away from tight
crowded corners where the banners serve the purpose of directing patrons to the
correct bin choice.
Solution4b: The beer tent needs to have a clear and unobstructed view of the music
stage.
Explanation4: Clear easy flow to the bins with signage visible promotes ease of
recycling choices even if preoccupied with friends and family.
Signage:
Glitch 5: Compost labeling was unclear and difficult to distinguish. Banners made
previously to fit the length of three bins did not cover or include space to identify
compost and it sat outside of collection area.
Solution 5: See Solution 3.
Explanation 5: Better clear fun signage that is easy to read via pictures and real items
over bins. The principle of “Don’t make me think” needs to be predominating in
determining the style of signage that would be most effective.
Glitch 6: Recycling Banners falling over causing possible injury look unsightly lying on
the ground and are ineffective if not upright and legible.
Solution 6: Need firmer bases undersigns or a new style of sign. I recommend
reformatting the signage that still implements using the same banners but cutting flags
into them that point to each bin and still can be secured and wind can pass thorough
with out creating a sail effect (See below).

Page 33 of 33
Tableware Procurement:
Glitch 7: Confusion over biodegradable and compostable tableware needs to be
clarified. Vendors tried to do the right thing. I believe sale reps may not be aware of the
differences and only know what they have been told by their supplier or company and
may not investigate claims made to comply with customer requests and concerns.
Solution 7a: All suppliers should be carefully vetted to their commitment to
environmental commitments. If they are not concerned with the products they are selling
other than to make a sale they need to be examined and reconsidered as suppliers.
Solution 7b: Only tableware that meet compost standard ASTM 6400 and EN 13432
(Appendix D). Paper plates, napkins made of recycled content are acceptable. Paper
plates, cups and bowls lined with plastic or wax are not, lined with PLA are.
Solution 7c: All items need to be approved for composting by the composting facility
before entering the event grounds.
Conclusion
The pilot compost zero waste program was perceived by everyone involved (even with
the identified glitches) as an overall success and received favorable reviews from
almost all participants in all aspects of participation. Some patrons said they expected a
city like Ann Arbor to have this type of program in place and were surprised that it was
new. Patrons have repeated this each year so far.
The estimated landfill diversion rates from the four-day Street Art Fair plus The Townie
Street Party is difficult to establish as there were no real weights taken by Recycle Ann
Arbor or The City of Ann Arbor Solid Waste Management but dumpster loads heading
for landfills are down from 25 in 2007, to 15 in 2008, and now 10 for the entire Street
Fair this year.
Another factor that makes accurate measurement difficult is the volume of bottles and
cans collected by Independent Recycling Entrepreneurs (IRE) that could not be
measured but did occur. IRE’s are viewed as providing an important service and the
recyclables as a source of income for the local entrepreneurs and was not restricted.
The number of bottles and cans recaptured from the landfills were down this year. A
cooler summer, sale of refillable bottles and city water fountains installed for the event
are possible explanations since attendance and sales remained strong. This reduction
in recyclables is considered as positively as the reduction of dumpsters sent to the
landfill. The goal is zero waste for the Street Art Fair.
98% of the Townie Street Party Hospitality and Beer Tent waste was compostable. That
means 600 diners and 2000 beer and wine beverages sold made a negligible impact on
Michigan landfills. With 6 composting stations in that area there each manned by a
volunteer and all compostables provided by the art fair there is little reason to have
more than a few bags of trash at most. With more diligence and commitment to small
details there is no reason the entire Townie Street Party cannot reach near zero waste.

Page 34 of 34
Recommendations For 2010
Quick Facts And Recommendation Sheet
1. A dedicated full-time Zero Waste Coordinator (ZWC) is recommended to move Zero Waste
Festivals and Events into the forefront. Program consistency and reliability over time
ensures the success of the Zero Waste effort.
2. Failing hiring a ZWC, Steve Sheldon of Recycle Ann Arbor demonstrates solid ZW
performance plus the addition of an Eco-cycle veteran from Boulder Colorado to Recycle
Ann Arbor is a positive move in the direction of zero waste programs.
3. Educational programs are essential to strong and effective implementation.
4. Marketers and promotional tents need to be given a compliance agreement sheet to
become educated in the disposal of their waste cardboard.
5. Contractual commitment to Zero Waste should be mandatory to apply and receive an events
permit.
6. Clear signage for easy identification by all is essential to a successful program. The majority
does the right thing when given the opportunity. People will sort waste and participate in the
program when given visible, clearly marked and easily accessible options.
7. Volunteers are desired for set-up, breakdown and required to attend the festivals as
educators.
8. Recycling stations need bases and signage that won’t blow-over.
9. Recycling bags need to be secured so they do not fold or fall into the bin.
10. Biobags need to be provided for compost collection.
11. Dedicated compost collection bins back of house need to be provided.
12. Trash bins need to be labeled “Landfill” not “Trash” to clarify final destination of materials.
13. Compost bins need to look different from the trash bins, with a cover and signage.
14. To be truly Zero Waste, food waste and bio-tableware needs to be composted. Tuthill Farms
could be considered for compostable services during events and festivals.
15. An annual analysis of materials being landfilled needs to be made at the end of the fair and
expanded to integrate or eliminate those materials in the following year. Further separation
of cardboard, needs to be implemented.
16. If the cardboard contamination of the trash dumpsters can be minimized the Art Fair –The
Original should only require 2 instead of 3 landfill dumpsters in 2010 assuming the compost
pilot continues.
17. If the compost program is not continued a third dumpster may be needed but only for the
Townie Street Party.
18. European Union standards eliminate any confusion in biocompostable product integrity and
should be the standard implemented to reduce risk.
19. Community groups and local environmental organizations should be encouraged to
participate in the Zero Waste effort. Non-compostable or recyclable products need to be
phased out and removed from the fair.
20. Funds can be raised by selling biocompostable ware and Art Fair compost at the farmers
market increasing community awareness and encouraging participation in Zero Waste.

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Detailed Recommendations
Leadership And Commitment
The State of Michigan does not have a strong leadership commitment that provides
grants and incentives to experiment and build Zero Waste pilot projects. It is clear from
successful Zero Waste programs that the determination and commitment levels from
city leaders was the spark that built a strong volunteer base, reliable staff and crews
that guaranteed their success.
The results are reflected in the extraordinarily high numbers of landfill waste diversion
they have been able to quantify. The success of these programs is infectious and spills
over throughout the communities that benefit directly.
The cost of land filling waste was not a factor in their commitment towards zero waste.
Leaders in Zero Waste Boulder Colorado have the same inexpensive land filling fees as
Ann Arbor. Their motivation was a natural growth and progression that enlightened
educated leaders rise to.
Now is the time for Ann Arbor to stop throwing away perfectly good resources, to grow
as a community and move in a healthy positive direction. Ann Arbor has always been a
leader.
Zero Waste Coordinator (ZWC)
It is the expressed opinion of this researcher and Street art Fair organizers that the
scope of this ground breaking project requires a dedicated fulltime Zero Waste
Coordinator.
Due to the multiple organizations (City of Ann Arbor, The Ecology Center, Recycle Ann
Arbor, Four Art Fair Directors and boards, grant funders, individual vendors, four
separate Recycling crews and systems…) involved in the process plus the educational
element to the many factions from city employees, volunteers, vendors, organizers,
artists and attendees. A solely devoted ZWC would be responsible for: the
implementation, monitoring and coordination of the program, to answer questions from
vendors, educational forums, and all other areas required to succeed and move towards
true Zero Waste Festivals and Events.
Zero Waste Festivals and Events are becoming mainstream through out the US and
quickly catching on with increased awareness of environmental issues. Most events are
restricted and controllable due to the nature of those events. Most ZW Events are
managed by one or two organizations. The Ann Arbor Art Fair’s are very large and
involve many divergent organizations and groups and this makes it a bigger program to
manage.
All of the practices put into place by the ZWC should be transferable to many other
festivals and events in the City of Ann Arbor and beyond for many years after.

Page 36 of 36
2010
Townie Street Party, recycling
station with composting. Banner cut
into triangles but anchored with
bottom string to allow wind to pass
through, shape directs attendees.
Trash bin isolated from recycling
center. Compost bin clearly labeled
and integrated with unique opening
from other bins.
2009
Mixed bins with banner that fell over
in the wind. Compost looks like an
after thought. Compost same bin as
trash, leads to confusion and high
bin contamination.
Failing hiring a ZWC, I would recommend that the ZW program fall in the hands of
Recycle Ann Arbor and believe that Steve Sheldon would be an exceptional leader.
Steve demonstrates a clear understanding and commitment of ZW and recycling. He
provided stellar quantifications and deliberations for the ZW pilot program for the
Michigan Beer Fest event in Ypsilanti in 2008/9.
In all cases the ZWC would need full support and enthusiasm for the ZW program from
the City, Recycle A2, The Ecology Center and the Directors of all the Art Fairs.
Composting
Commitment
Composting of food waste and biocompostable tableware needs to be taken seriously
and supported. After all the cans, bottles, paper, cardboard and Styrofoam are removed
from the trash the biggest elements left are plastic and food waste. Food nutrients in
nature give back to the soil and do not create waste and there is no reason they should
be land filled anymore.
Front Of House Recycling Stations

Page 37 of 37
Lower number of recyclables collected may create a tendency to reduce recycling bin
stations but this should be avoided until thrash levels reduce dramatically Easy access
to recycling options prevents littering and keeps recycling rates high.
1. Need to focus on high traffic areas such as commuter bus drop-off points, entrances,
street crossings, Porta Potty’s, food, entertainment and music areas. These need a
higher concentration of visible accessible ZW Stations than a straight faraway.
Accessibility means visible, easy to find, easy for all to access, patrons, vendors,
and Special Ops crew.
2. Composting bins need to be lined with bio-bags or bio-compostable bags that
comply with European Union standard EN13432. (See Appendix F) to reduce risk of
negative impact biodegradable bags (not fully bio-compostable) may have among
the environmentally savvy.
3. Signage: Trash bins need to be labeled “Landfill” to further clarify the choices that
are offered.
4. Banners need to be redesigned still reusing banners we have by cutting a triangle in
them to direct the eye down to the appropriate bin and allowing the wind to pass
through with out blowing them over (see previous page).
5. Ties to keep the garbage bags around the bins are needed to prevent the bags from
folding inwards.
6. Greater assistance is needed to set-up and tear down recycle stations.
Back Of House
1. A dedicated compost dumpster needs to be provided. There was no dedicated
station to place bags collected from overfilled bins.
2. Improved cardboard collection is still needed. There was plenty of recyclable
cardboard deposited in the trash bins.
3. I project that the third 6 cubic yards trash dumpster will not be required if we are
collecting compost and separating cardboard but to stay on the safe side until the
project has another year to quantify results it should remain.
4. Serious observation and analysis of items entering the landfill dumpsters needs to
be noted to expand the program each year and eventually eliminate all need for land
filling, e.g.: Styrofoam, metal, vinyl, wood…
Volunteers
1. Clear leadership is needed for the volunteers who do work on the Zero Waste
Program. A dedicated zero waste volunteer coordinator who can work in the field
and train teams and keep them energized is the best situation scenario.
2. Recycle Ann Arbor is a group that sends a clear message about the direction of
commitment and would be the best organization to lead and co-ordinate a zero
waste green team.
3. A volunteer core dedicated to recycling within the city is needed to spread the Zero
Waste program and to provide some consistency over time. Boulder Colorado’s

Page 38 of 38
EcoCenter has been able to build their ECOwarrier recycling army to over 800
volunteers over time. Ann Arbor needs a solid reliable committee willing to physically
participate in assisting the ZWC in each person’s individual areas of strength.
4. The volunteers would work with the ZWC in monitoring vendor questions and
compliance, educating the public to the program during the fair and providing
feedback from attendees and special operations crews to improve the program each
year.
5. Need more volunteers to assemble and set-up bin stations before Townie Street
Party.
6. Other volunteer groups such as The Sierra Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and
interested environmental groups are another option. In Bolder Colorado, the Major
mans a station and information booth educating constituents sending a clear
message to the city regarding their commitment to ZW. Ann Arbor city
representatives should participate.
7. Donations to group or charities for educational and set-up services may assist in
providing non-profits organizations such as Churches and environmental groups in
participating.
8. In Boulder Colorado, senior volunteers are paid Minimum wage, half in cash and half
in credit against their property.
Community
An alternative to Recycle Ann Arbor managing this program would be an independent
dedicated volunteer community committee that would manage the direction of the ZW
program. They work together with the ZWC as equals and bring new energy and
direction to programs over time and provide fresh ideas that would bring the project to
life.
This group would depend on cooperation between the city and policy makers to
implement their programs.
Education
1. Art Fair director, vendors, volunteers, Special Operations Crews and artists need
training to better understand their roles in participating in ZW. It was noted that some
booths that were not food related were unclear what to do with their cardboard and
other recyclables not provided for at the recycling stations.
2. A firm commitment needs to be made by all organizers and organizations associated
with the zero waste program in regards to compliance levels expected by all
participants to achieve the goal of zero waste. This encompasses monitoring,
enforcement and educational focus. Education is the key to commitment and
compliance and a successful program.
3. As well as vendors, all participants (including artists) need an agreement in the
standard contracts that stipulate the Zero Waste commitment, manner of disposal
expected of them and areas where they can access for items such as cardboard
pick-up.

Page 39 of 39
Appendix A
A Review
Tenets of Zero Waste
What exactly is Zero Waste? Specifically, Zero Waste has five basic tenets:
Redesigning products and packaging. Planning in advance to limit product resource
consumption, toxicity, and waste, and recovering materials through reuse, recycling, or
composting - designing products for the environment, not for the dump. This is also
referred to as “Cradle to Cradle” production as opposed to the standard “Cradle to the
Grave” practice standard today.
Producer Responsibility. Manufacturers are held responsible for the waste and
environmental impact their product and packaging creates, rather than passing that
responsibility on to the consumer. The end result is that manufacturers redesign
products to reduce materials consumption and facilitate reuse, recovery and recycling.
Investing in Infrastructure, Not Landfills or Incinerators. Rather than using the tax
base to build new landfills and incinerators, communities can continue to invest in new
facilities designed to take the place of a landfill or incinerator. Combined with social
policies and market signals, the technological advances of the 1990s can easily support
the diversion of 90% of society's discards.
Ending Taxpayer Subsidies for Wasteful and Polluting Industries. Pollution, energy
consumption and environmental destruction start at the point of virgin resource
extraction and processing. Manufacturers use virgin resources for raw material partly
because tax subsidies and other social policies make this a cheaper and easier
alternative than using recycled or recovered materials. Additional public subsidies exist
to keep "disposal" costs through landfills and incinerators artificially low by not assigning
significant economic penalties to the harmful emissions produced by these facilities.
Creating Jobs and New Businesses from Discards. Wasting materials in a landfill or
incinerator also wastes business opportunities that could be created if those resources
were preserved. According to the Institute for Local Self Reliance's report “Wasting and
Recycling in the United States 2000”, "On a per-ton basis, sorting and processing
recyclables alone sustains ten times more jobs than land filling or incineration." The
report points out that some recycling-based paper mills and recycled plastic product
manufacturers employ 60 times more workers on a per-ton basis than do landfills. The
report adds, "Each recycling step a community takes locally means more jobs, more
business expenditures on supplies and services, and more money circulating in the
local economy through spending and tax payments."

Page 40 of 40
Appendix B
Historical progression and growth of the zero waste program.
2007 Recycle Bin Station Placement Map
49th
Annual Ann Arbor Street Art Fair – The Original N

Page 41 of 41
2008 Bin Station Set-up Map
U of M established landfill bins

Page 42 of 42
2009 Townie Street Party Bin Placement

Page 43 of 43
2009 Ann Arbor Street Art Fair – The Original Recycling Bin Placement

Page 44 of 44
Appendix C
Using Near-Infrared Sorting To Recycle PLA Bottles
NatureWorks LLC
Recycling - Sortation
A first-of-its-kind series of tests at actual commercial recycling facilities demonstrated
that plant-made PLA materials (polylactide) can be effectively separated from the PET
plastic bottle recycling stream and does not appreciably contaminate downstream
recycled PET (rPET) extrusion processes.
The field tests, held earlier this year at major recycling and rPET sheet extrusion
facilities, were conducted under actual operating conditions. The tests were monitored
by an independent consultant, Plastics Forming Enterprises LLC, (PFE), a highly
respected worldwide plastics expert and jointly sponsored by Primo Water Corporation
and NatureWorks LLC, and the developer of Ingeo™ natural plastic resin – the leading
brand of PLA materials.7
Article on NatureWorks Website
…Since PLA bottles look and feel similar to PET bottles, recyclers often consider
material identification between the two difficult. Because of this, the possibility of mixing
the different materials together exists. As a result, there is concern in the recycling
community that PLA bottles, at high enough levels, would contaminate the PET recycle
stream due to chemical and thermal property differences. These differences could affect
down stream processing and final product properties. The inclusion of PLA bottles is
also considered to take away value in the PET recycle stream by creating problems with
sortation efficiency, accuracy, and potential yield loss.
Because PET bottles account for the majority of the clear plastic bottles that get used
and recycled, there needs to be enough critical mass in the market place to justify the
economics of creating an independent PLA bottle recycling operation or separate
stream…
…In order to continue to introduce IngeoTM biopolymer into the plastic bottle market in
a responsible way, NatureWorks LLC and Primo Water Corp. conducted a commercial-
scale bottle recycling evaluation to demonstrate that automated systems being used
today in the recycling industry are capable of separating PLA bottles from PET bottles
with good accuracy and efficiency. In this evaluation, near-infrared equipment was used
since it is a common sortation technology in large recycling operations and can
accurately identify many different types of polymers. … 8
7
http://www.natureworksllc.com/our-values-and-views/end-of-life/recycling-sortation.aspx 8/10/09 5:11 PM
8
Natureworks_infrared.pdf 07/10/09 11:14am

Page 45 of 45
Appendix D
The Difference Between Degradable And Biodegradable Plastics
Food vendors rely on the salesperson to fairly represent the products they are offering. I
believe that sometimes the salesperson does not fully understand these standards and
may confuse and unknowingly recommend a bio/degradable product in place of a
compostable. The European Union Standard EN 13432 removes any confusion, doubt
and possible misrepresentation of compostable products and provides the highest
standard of compostable items to the market. The American standard ASTM D 6400 is
also acceptable but carries a lower degree of compostability over the same period of
time
Bioware Standards
Certified Compostable Foodservice Items
This category includes manufacturers of foodservice items, such as plates, cups, bowls,
fruit bowls and other items used to serve meals. All are designed to disintegrate and
biodegrade quickly and safely, when composted in a professionally managed facility.
All BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute)-approved products meet stringent,
scientifically based specifications: ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868. And EN 13432 9
ASTM D6400 - Test for Compostability10
This specification covers plastics and products made from plastics that are designed to
be composted in municipal and industrial aerobic composting facilities.
This specification is intended to establish the requirements for labeling of materials and
products, including packaging made from plastics, as "compostable in municipal and
industrial composting facilities."
The properties in this specification are those required to determine if plastics and
products made from plastics will compost satisfactorily, including biodegrading at a rate
comparable to known compostable materials.
Further, the properties in the specification are required to assure that the degradation of
these materials will not diminish the value or utility of the compost resulting from the
composting process.
The following safety hazards caveat pertains to the test methods portion of this
standard:
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated
with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate
9
http://www.bpiworld.org/Certified-Bioedgradable-Foodservice-Items-Plates-Cups-Utinsels 8/10/09 2:09 PM
10
http://www.bpiworld.org/Default.aspx?pageId=190422 8/10/09 2:28 PM

Page 46 of 46
health and safety practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations
prior to use.
ASTM D6868 - Biodegradable Plastics11
This specification covers biodegradable plastics and products (including packaging),
where plastic film or sheet is attached (either through lamination or extrusion directly
onto the paper) to substrates and the entire product or package is designed to be
composted in municipal and industrial aerobic composting facilities.
This specification is intended to establish the requirements for labeling of materials and
products, including packaging, using coatings of biodegradable plastics, as
"compostable in municipal and industrial composting facilities."
The properties in this specification are those required to determine if products (including
packaging) using plastic films or sheets will compost satisfactorily, including
biodegrading at a rate comparable to known compostable materials. Further, the
properties in the specification are required to assure that the degradation of these
materials will not diminish the value or utility of the compost resulting from the
composting process.
This standard does not describe contents or their performance with regard to
compostability or biodegradability.
The following safety hazards caveat pertains to the test methods portion of this
standard: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any,
associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish
appropriate health and safety practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to us.12
Standard EN 13432: Proof of compostability of plastic products
Plastic products can provide proof of their compostability by successfully meeting the
harmonized European standard, EN 13432. The European Packaging Directive 94/62
EC makes reference hereto with regard to compliance with recovery directives.
Scope of testing under EN 13432 Chemical test: Disclosure of all constituents, threshold
values for heavy metals are to be adhered to. Biodegradability in watery medium
(oxygen consumption and production of CO2): Proof must be made that at least 90% of
the organic material is converted into CO2 within 6 months.
Disintegration in compost: After 3 months’ composting and subsequent sifting through a
2 mm sieve, no more than 10% residue may remain, as compared to the original mass.
Practical test of compostability in a semi- industrial (or industrial) composting facility: No
negative influence on the composting process is permitted.
Compost application: Examination of the effect of resultant compost on plant growth
(agronomic test), ecotoxicity test.
11
12

Page 47 of 47
The maximum material gauge of a plastic is determined by its compostability in
standard practice composting operations. All tests must be passed. Success in
individual tests will not be sufficient. The EN standard test methods are based on the
scientific definitions of the ISO standards 18451, 18452 (aerobic degradability in water),
18453 (anaerobic degradability in water) and 18455 (aerobic composting). The tests
must be conducted by recognized test laboratories. An address list is available from
certifying bodies.
The association European Bioplastics approves plastic products according to EN 13432
if the marketer advertises the product to be "compostable" or "biodegradable". Because
these terms are not always used correctly, the association has published information on
so-called "degradable" or "oxo- degradable" plastic products. Producers have signed a
voluntary self commitment on product certification which had been acknowledged by the
European DG Enterprise.
There are currently few international organizations which have established standards
and testing methods for compostability, namely:
* American Society for Testing and Materials ASTM-6400-9
* European Standardization Committee (CEN) EN13432
* International Standards Organization (ISO) ISO14855 (only for biodegradation)
* German Institute for Standardization (DIN) DINV49000
Standard Compliance Requirements
Standards Biodegradation Requirement
DIN 60% 6 months
ASTM 60% 6 months
CEN 90% 90 days
OECD 60% (for
chemicals)
28 days
The ASTM, CEN and DIN standards specify the criteria for biodegradation,
disintegration and eco-toxicity for a plastic to be called compostable.
* Biodegradability is determined by measuring the amount of CO2 produced over a
certain time period by the biodegrading plastic. ASTM, ISO and DIN standards require
60% biodegradation within 180 days. The EN13432 standard requires 90%
biodegradation within 90 days.
* Disintegration is measured by sieving the material to determine the biodegraded size
and less than 10% should remain on a 2mm screen for most standards
* Eco toxicity is measured by having concentrations of heavy metals below the limits set
by the standards and by testing plant growth by mixing the compost with soil in different
concentrations and comparing it with controlled compost.

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