top of page

Green Vendor Program 2023

The Strawberry Festival is committed to improving its environmental footprint. Our first priority is reducing waste. Since Festival vendors provide food, drinks, crafts, and other materials for visitors, they can also play a key role in reducing the overall amount of waste and increasing the amount of recycling and organics captured during the festival.

 

One of our best opportunities in reducing waste involves single-use plastics, such as straws, water bottles, and bags.

 

For this reason the Strawberry Festival no longer permits the use or distribution of balloons during our event.

Green Vendor_kids.png

Committing to a Greener Festival

Vendors that are ready to support the Festival’s waste reduction goals are encouraged to take the Green Vendor Pledge. Green Vendors commit to:

 

  • use greener alternatives for items such as bags, containers, and cutlery;

  • reduce use of items that have a long-lasting negative impact on our environment, such as single-use plastics and Styrofoam;

  • encourage customers to use reusable items such as tote bags and water bottles, and;

  • support greening the festival by promoting waste reduction to festival attendees and the Stouffville community in general.

​

All participating vendors will be recognized by:

 

  • social media, website, and other applicable promotions prior to and during the festival

  • a Green Vendor Lawn Sign, to be displayed at each booth

Working Together to Find Green Solutions

Reducing waste involves looking carefully at processes and products to find less wasteful ways to achieve the same outcome. For example:

 

  • Some customers may not need or want a plastic bag to carry a small item, plastic cutlery for their meal, or a plastic straw for their beverage.  Asking customers first may avoid unnecessary waste later.

  • When a bag or plate or cup is required, using those made with greener materials (that can be recycled or composted) will reduce the amount of landfill waste (garbage).

  • Reusable items (water bottles, coffee cups) have a much longer lifespan and do not end up as waste after one use.

 

The Festival’s Green Team will work with each Green Vendor to consider the specific processes and products at their booth, and to find practical solutions that reduce waste without compromising product or service quality.

 

All vendors that are ready to commit to reducing their waste are encouraged to take the Green Vendor Pledge, available by clicking HERE, or by emailing gogreen@strawberryfestival.ca. By taking the pledge, vendors agree to the actions outlined in the table below, as applicable.

Guidelines for a Greener Festival

To Use

  • Paper/Reusable bags

  • Compostable/ Recyclable containers

  • Paper straws

  • Cardboard, non-coated boxes only

  • Eco-friendly gifts made of paper,

  • recyclable and recycled materials

To Do

  • Ask first! Only give out bags, straws, etc. when needed

  • Consider various or adjustable portion sizes to reduce unnecessary food waste

  • Where possible, accept reusable containers & cups from customers

  • Sell reusable bottles/cups – direct customer to festival water stations

  • Use reusable shipping containers

To Avoid

  • Plastic Bags

  • Bottled water

  • Styrofoam and dark plastic takeout containers and cups

  • Plastic straws

  • Plastic & paper wax-coated boxes / crates - vendor booth waste

  • Balloons (including biodegradable)

bottom of page