Zero Waste at the Fair
Thank you Missoula for helping us achieve a 74% diversion rate at the 2023 Western Montana Fair
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Missoula community, Home ReSource, the Missoula County Department of Ecology and Extension, Missoula Compost and Western Montana Fair vendors for their support in helping the Western Montana Fair achieve an impressive 74% diversion rate in 2023. Of that, 64% was diverted to compost, and 10% was diverted to recycling.
As we gear up for this year's Fair, we invite the community to once again join us in our effort to make a positive impact at this year’s Western Montana Fair. Your participation and enthusiasm are essential to our success, and we look forward to working together to create another environmentally friendly and memorable community event.
How can you support the Western Montana Fair’s Zero Waste initiatives?
Bring a re-usable water bottle to keep hydrated during the Fair.
Use the compost, recycling and waste stations located throughout the fairgrounds.
Join the Green Team
Become a Green Team sponsor
GREEN TEAM
The Green Team is the backbone of the Western Montana Fair's sustainability efforts, demonstrating that ordinary community members can make an extraordinary impact, as shown in last year’s numbers.
Green Team duties include monitoring waste stations, sorting recyclables and compost, and educating fairgoers on waste reduction at the Western Montana Fair. As part of the Green Team, volunteers are also eligible for a number of perks in appreciation for their sustainability commitment. For every 3 hours of being a Green Team volunteer, the following perks are available. One perk available per shift.
Daily unlimited carnival ride pass (one per person).
Ticket to an arena event of choice (Xtreme Bulls, Bulls, Broncs & Busters, Missoula Stampede Rodeo and Lords of Dirt). See full arena events here.
$25 in Food bucks (can be used at any food vendor at the Western Montana Fair - excluding carnival vendors)
GREEN TEAM SPONSORSHIP
The Western Montana Fair provides a place for paths to cross like no other event in Missoula. The century-old tradition of drawing rural and urban together shattered records the last 3 years. Attendance surpassed 100,000!
Unique to the Western Montana Fair is the prosperity of nonprofit organizations who depend on the event to meet their annual fundraising goals. For every sponsorship dollar contributed to the Fair, over $9 is redistributed back into the local economy.
If you are looking to sponsor the Fair, and are interested in the Fair’s Zero Waste initiatives, the Green Team sponsorship is a great way to be involved. Your sponsorship dollars funds the Green Team and helps reward community members for their hard work.
ZERO BY FIFTY
The city of Missoula is on a mission to become Montana’s first Zero Waste community! As part of the community, the Missoula Fairgrounds/Western Montana Fair is similarly aligned towards that mission by:
Offering recycling/composting stations throughout the Missoula Fairgrounds year-round.
Following sustainable building practices and integrating LEED principals when possible.
Supporting local non-profits and businesses that encourage sustainable practices.
Adopting sustainable standards for Western Montanan Fair vendors.
Encouraging fairgoers to bike to the Fair and offering a rewards program for bikers.
Establishing the Creative Reuse Division within the Fair exhibit program.
Developing a Fair Green Team program to cultivate future sustainability leaders.
Educating and training staff about current sustainability standards.
Integrating new sustainable practices every year towards a Zero-Waste future