On April 30, residents of Peabody and surrounding communities will be able to get their environmental, recycling, gardening and energy savings questions answered for free at Peabody’s celebration of Earth Day, GreenFest.
From 9 am- 2 pm at the Peter Torigian Community Life Center in Peabody, GreenFest will highlight local and regional “green” businesses and organizations displaying their products and services.
Experts from renewable energy and energy conservation groups will also be available to discuss ways to save energy and money.
“GreenFest will be a first for Peabody,” said event chair Russ Eckel. “The focus of the event is dollars and cents – how we can save money while helping the environment and the resources around us.”
GreenFest was created by GreenPeabody, Peabody’s energy and resource conservation committee, and is co-hosted with the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce. Â It has been endorsed by Mayor Michael Bonfanti, along with all the members of the Peabody City Council, who recognize the growth of the green economy on the North Shore.
An electronics recycling collection area will accept items such as TVs, computers, printers, monitors and more so the items can be properly recycled and hazardous materials removed. An $8 cash-only fee will be charged for each. Very large items may be assessed an additional fee.
Old cell phones will be collected separately by GreenPeabody and donated to Safe Haven Shelter, a resource for battered women. A “Shoe Bank” will be set up so visitors can donate used shoes and sneakers as part of a college student’s project. Visitors are being asked to participate in the Plant and Seed Exchange, where they can bring an item and take home a different item for their home garden.
A special area will be set up for children’s activities, which will be coordinated by the Peabody Veterans High School Environmental Club, in conjunction with the Peabody Public Library. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Prospective exhibitors and speakers can contact Deanne Healy at the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce at (978) 531-0384 or by emailing pcc@peabodychamber.com. Sponsors for the event are JRM Hauling & Recycling, Weston & Sampson, Peabody Municipal Light Plant, Energi Holdings Inc., and Wood Trucking. More information about GreenFest is available at GreenPeabody on Facebook and you can follow them on Twitter @green_peabody.