Hello composting buddies, this is OrganicNik here – AKA Nicole Krause – just wanting to tell you about the California Resource Recovery Association 2007 Conference and Tradeshow I attended July 30^th and 31^st in San Pedro.

After battling the usual so-cal morning traffic, I arrived at the Navigating to Zero Waste Conference at The Doubletree Hotel.

We shared our booth with Mark Williams, vendor of our Biodegradable Kitchen Waste and Doggy BioBags.  For some time now, Mark and his father have held nearly 80% of the world market for such earth-friendly bags, and only recently has the business started to become more competitive — which is ultimately of course a positive sign for the environment.

Along with Green Culture’s Compost Bins and Tumblers, we even raffled off an ipod shuffle and Garden Gourmet.  And for those looking to change things on the local front, our fliers and magnets provided information on municipal composting programs for various cities and counties.

The Electronic Recyclers were also in attendance.  With computers only having a 3 to 5 year expiration date, all the new “E-waste” that the world is creating is an ever increasing problem.  If not properly disposed of, the chemicals used to power our computers and electronics will eventually end up seeping into the ground, where their effects can and will be catastrophic.  Taking the time to recycle these products is something we all must take part in.

Busch Systems is another one of our vendors.  They make our Worm Friendly Habitat and Soilsaver, which you can just make out in the corner there if you look hard enough, both of which ship from our warehouse in New York.

The CRAA Official Conference booth had some eco-friendly chapstick, one of which was even made from 98% organic hemp…

… and the winner of the Navigating to Zero Waste “Best Booth” went to Community Recycling Crown Disposal for their unique Pirate themed stand.

This is Recycling Jeopardy, which featured various questions about the environment and AB 939, an act passed in 1989 by the State Legislature creating the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), whose primary goal is to implement and oversee new waste diversion benchmarks by means of composting and recycling.

The two days I spent at the conference were far more fulfilling than I expected, and as it was all winding down I found myself brimming with a powerful sense of renewed hope.  The people who’re making waste management decisions for cities and counties these days truly want to do everything in their power to cleanup our environment.  “Reassuring” was the word the immediately came to mind as I headed to the parking lot.

With the cars all packed up and the sun still high in the sky, I shot a peace sign into the air with my pink, all natural nail polish, and snapped one last picture with my camera.

We are in deed heading in the right direction…