See the World's Largest Wad of Paper at the Eco Experience at the Minnesota State Fair

Media Update: August 4, 2014

Contact: Pamela McCurdy, 651-757-2559

See the World's Largest Wad of Paper at the Eco Experience at the Minnesota State Fair

St. Paul, Minn. --Look at your trash from a new perspective. Stop by the Eco Experience and learn a few behavior changes that can resonate with your readers, listeners and viewers. This behavior change could lead to less trash in our landfills and more resources for Minnesota companies.

Giant wad’o paper

Paper products that have been used up, tossed, crumpled, ripped, or torn – no matter what you call it - is waste, and a lot of it ends up in the trash instead of being recycled. According to a recent Waste Characterization report, Minnesotans throw away a billion pounds of paper every year—paper  that could be recycled or composted. This year at Eco Experience, we’re attempting to set the new Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Wad of Paper, a visual 10-foot ball representing how much paper Minnesotans throw away in less than 30 seconds.

Pay it forward

Then see how 13 Minnesota companies use recycled paper in their manufacturing process to create #MNmade products. These businesses rely on recycled paper for making a variety of products such as insulation, ceiling tiles, cardboard, milk cartons, juice boxes, and, of course, paper. You’ll learn why recycling and composting is important and how it helps create local jobs. Yes, we can recycle more!

Love and recycling?

Be sure to bring your camera for a quirky family photo-op on our #LoveToRecycleMN seat, made entirely from recycled cardboard.

Just say no, …to burnt toast

When it comes to reducing waste, we’re going retro. Step into a refurbished phone booth and get dialed in to some tips for reducing paper waste.  While you’re at it, visit the Reuse Room for some groovy decorating ideas for your home workshop or craft area. Got a broken toaster or a broken zipper? Don’t toss it, fix it! Talk to experts on how to fix household appliances and clothing at fix-it workshops from 10:00-11:30 a.m., 1:00-2:30 p.m., 3:30-5:00 p.m., and 6:30-8:00 p.m. daily.  

Find fertilizer on your cutting board

Fair-goers will also hear about dirt cheap, black gold. Learn how to enrich your soil by composting yard waste and kitchen scraps.  Get to know the basics of backyard composting and how to build your own bin. Did you know that there are several curbside and dropsite organics collection programs available in Minnesota? Stop by to learn about where these programs are available and how they are different than backyard composting. Here, experts will be on hand to answer questions.

About the Eco Experience: A partnership between the Minnesota State Fair, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and more than 150 organizations and businesses across the state, the Eco Experience has become the second most visited exhibit at the fair. The Eco Experience is the largest environmental event of its kind, nationally, in the last two decades. In 2013 the Eco Experience won the People’s Choice Award voted on by the fair goers at the Minnesota State Fair.

Since 2006, more than 3 million visitors have attended the 25,000-square-foot exhibit to learn more about clean air and water, saving energy, climate change, recycling, healthy local food, gardening, transportation, green building and remodeling, and other ways to lead more eco-friendly lives.

All schedules, story ideas and press releases will be posted on the www.ecoexperience.org website under media tab or email questions to Pamela.McCurdy@state.mn.us phone 651-757-2559. 

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