From worm chalets to the Velomobile, the annual Windfall Ecology Festival provided
a look at a whole range of new environmentally - friendly products.
Visitors could learn how to dispose of old "clunkers" by sending them to "Car
Heaven," or try the Velomobile - a tricyclepowered "car" designed and built
in the Netherlands that can reach speeds of up to 58 kmph due to its aerodynamic
design. Adam, 8, got behind the wheel, and pronounced the invention, "very cool."
Vendors offered organic produce, organic ice cream, organic coffee and snacks
- and to take care of the leftovers, Cathy Nesbitt of Cathy's Crawly Composters
sold the Worm Chalet. The Chalet, described as "the most elegant worm bin in
the world," brings vermicomposting (composting using red wiggler worms) to new
levels, literally - with a multilevel container, complete with spigot to drain
off excess liquid.
"It's flying off the shelves," says Nesbitt. Even with the green bin program
being brought in by the County this fall, the Chalets are ideal for condominiums
and multi-residential buildings, which are excluded from the County program,
and "still don't have a solution."
In the Kidz Zone, kids were introduced to Ontario's wildlife by the Earth
Rangers, and created crafts from natural and recycled materials. Elsewhere,
Festival-goers could learn about Straw Bale construction, buy sprout kits, purchase
sweatshop free clothing, and sign up for the Greenbelt or the Green Party.
The two-day event, held at Newmarket's Fairy Lake Park, was organized by the
Windfall Ecology Centre.
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