Dearborn Homecoming to Go Greener for 2012

The City of Dearborn’s Homecoming festival will celebrate its 33rd year this Aug. 3-5 by going green.

For the first time, The Going Green Foundation will present Green Alternatives for Daily Living 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, in the area of off of Cherry Hill known as the top of the hill.

Environmental clubs, businesses and organizations active in the region will gather to talk to attendees about recycling, reusing items and adopting practices that will help reduce consumption of resources.

Additionally, the beer vendors at Homecoming this year will be using compostable cups. Made of corn instead of oil byproducts, they will biodegrade completely in 90 days in commercial or institutional composters. They require 50 percent less fossil fuel than regular plastics to produce, and are not toxic to burn.

Other compostable products–such as food serving trays–will be made available to vendors, although their use is not a requirement.

Going Green founder and Dearborn resident Maureen McIlrath explained that she and city Sustainability Coordinator David Norwood collaborated on ways to  make the festival greener–something McIlrath has wanted to see for years.

"It started with Arts, Beats and Eats (in Royal Oak) and I started thinking about waste produced at those festivals and how we can help," she explained.

"We have the choice (to be greener), and I want to let people know."

Here's a look at the participating organizations in the Green Alternatives for Daily Living fair:

• Arts & Scraps – reuse of industrial materials
• Adopt-a-Watt – sponsors energy efficient and green technologies
• Arbonne – health and wellness products
• Chartreuse Teas – teas that help to keep your skin healthy
• Chive Talkin – spice inspired t-shirts
• City of Dearborn – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle ideas for your home
• Cousin Mary Jane – organic Hemp seeds
• – hand blown glass
• Doterra Essential Oils – therapeutic essential oils
• DTE Energy – Ideas for energy efficiency
• Going Green Foundation – neighborhood gardening
• Goodwill Industries – environmental impact of reduce, reuse repurpose
• Nifty Hoops – installs and manufactures hoop green houses
• Tillian Farms – development of new farm business development
• Republic Waste – trash disposal and recycling company
• Selma Café – local foods breakfast salon
• Environmental Interpretive Center  
• U.S. Green Building Council
• Yoga for Peace – relaxation and meditation techniques

The Green Area is sponsored by Green Safe Products.

Check out Dearborn Patch's Guide to Dearborn Homecoming 2012 for more information on the festival.