Zero Waste Space expansion planned for Ohio State Fair

Reduce. Renew. Compost.

Ohio State Fairgoers are encouraged to participate in going green once again this year by learning best practices on recycling and composting.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and its partners, Ohio EPA, Ohio Corn and Wheat and Kroger are pleased to announce the Zero Waste Space is back for its second year. The program, housed in the Taste of Ohio Café, is aimed at educating Ohioans and visitors on waste prevention, composting and conserving resources.

“Ohio farmers make sure nothing goes to waste,” said ODA Director Brian Baldridge. “The Zero Waste Space initiative can turn leftovers into a useful, nutrient-rich product that will help our state go green and stay clean.”

Last year’s pilot program ran just three days during the fair. This year’s Zero Waste Space will be operating through the first half of the fair, July 26-31.

Ohio’s livestock commodities serving food in the building are doing their part by using compostable products. The utensils and food collected from the café will eventually turn into compost, a plant fertilizer that is often referred to as “black gold” due to its organic matter.

Also new this year, a live display placed outside of the building shows corn being grown in compost soil, made from items collected at last year’s fair.

The Ohio State Fair ends Aug. 6.