By Kathy Gottberg  (11/27/09)

           The Indio International Tamale Festival took a giant step forward last year by working with a national environmental consulting company named G-Rock to “green” their event.  The Tamale Festival, now in its 18^th year, has grown in popularity to an attendance of over 125,000 people each year during the two-day event.  Recently the Indio Tamale Festival was ranked in the Top 10  “All –American Food Festivals” on the Food Network-TV.   But, it is Indio’s willingness to work with G-Rock and get “G-Rock Green Certified” again in 2009 that clearly demonstrates that the city is passionate about contributing to a cleaner greener planet.

           What does it mean when an event goes green?  Obviously, an event of this size normally generates a huge amount of garbage.  Instead, with the help of G-Rock and local businesses, venders and volunteers, the 2008 event composted 100% of the waste and diverted 24.46 tons of waste from our local landfills.   In fact, in honor of this accomplishment, Indio was recognized by the California Integrated Waste Management Board as a national leader in large venue events for its diversion program.

            But that wasn’t all.  Other recycling benefits included 90.6 lbs of aluminum cans and 111.5 lbs of plastic bottles, which were gathered and turned over to the local Boy Scouts for redemption in return for their volunteer participation.  Over 80 gallons of fryer grease was collected from food venders and converted into bio-diesel.  Electrical power for the event came from running a blend of diesel and bio diesel, which contributed to a significant reduction in the carbon emissions produced by the event.   Renova, a local solar company even provided a mobile charging station, which powered staff computers, lighting and a fan-cooled trailer for green-team volunteers.  All together in 2008 the City of Indio, in collaboration with Biomass and Burrtec, initiated a “zero-waste” system that reduced energy consumption and carbon footprint, minimizing the environmental impact of the entire event.  The good news is that Indio will be doing it all again in 2009.

            Just like last year, the Tamale Festival will be a zero-waste event with a number of repeat elements.  Landfill waste will be eliminated by providing a dual receptacle system throughout the grounds that includes one for recyclables like bottles and cans, and another for “green” waste like cornhusks (huge at this festival!), paper and other food waste.    All of the “green” waste is collected by local business California Bio-Mass to compost and become mulch. Not only is the waste kept from landfills, the process itself helps to educate festival attendees.

            Also a repeat from 2008 will be the Eco-Center where attendees can come ask questions, test their environmental knowledge and learn about Indio’s Environmental Programs.   Free sustainable gifts will be handed out and Indio’s Recycling Mascot “Mr. Recycle” will be both in the parade held on Saturday morning, and at the event to meet and greet attendees.  A new and inspired element to this year’s event will be bags of composted material, now mulch, from the 2008 Tamale Festival will be handed out to the public in the Eco-Booth explaining the full-circle cycle of the material.  This mulch can be taken home and added to the yard and/or garden and will serve as an excellent example of learning the value of reusing and recycling in a very visceral way.

            Robert Edwards, Environmental Programs Coordinator for the City of Indio/Indio Water Authority had this to say, “The annual Tamale Festival is the largest city sponsored event.  It is a perfect venue for reaching a large number of residents and businesses for outreach highlighting our environmental programs.”

            Local volunteers from College of The Desert (COD), the Boy Scouts and the participation of local vendors and businesses will also work to make the event green.  In turn, these volunteers and sponsors are helping to significantly reduce green house gasses and the overall environmental impact of the event.  Together, with the City of Indio, they are educating and demonstrating to everyone in the Coachella Valley that even with an event of this magnitude, and regardless of our current economy, sustainability and green are achievable goals.