Going GREEN at Paddlefest

Our Paddlefest Committee is working hard to make Paddlefest as GREEN as possible. Here are some of the changes we are making this year to reduce our impact on the environment. We look forward to help from all participants to implement these initiatives.

Let us know if you have additional ideas. Contact us at: info@OhioRiverWay.org

Water Bottles - Use our Reusable One or Bring Your Own

Last year we used 6,000 bottles of donated water. Our goal is to reduce their use this year by 90% by providing all paddlers and participants in our Kids Ex-Stream Expo Water Bottles made from recycled plastic that can be reused at Paddlefest and thereafter. Special thanks to Greater Cincinnati Water Works, MSD and Cincinnati Bulk Terminals for underwriting the cost of 3,000 reusable water bottles. And thanks to Greater Cincinnati Water Works and hard working volunteers, we will have water refill stations at Coney Island as well as at the Finish Line Festival.

Recycling - for Bottles, Cans & Cardboard

Thanks to Rumpke and the Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District, we will have recycling containers at Coney and at the Finish Line Festival at the Serpentine Wall. Our goal is to recycle everything we possibly can this year.

Reusable Bags & Cups - for Literature, Beer & Soft Drinks

Instead of plastic bags, we will be giving all paddlers reusable bags courtesy of our friends at Kroger. We will also have Coney concession stands use biodegradable paper cups or reusable plastic cups for beer and soft drinks.

Reducing Paper Waste

We are making greater use of e-mail and our website for on-line registration and information distribution. Our necessary promotional materials will be printed on recycled paper with soy ink whenever available.

Signage - Reusing Yard Signs

Thanks to the Cincinnati Zoo, we will be using the back side of their coroplast yard signs from their last levy campaign for our direction and booth ID signs.

VIP Parking - for Subarus, Hybrid Vehicles & Alternative Fuel Cars

If you have a hybrid vehicle or a Subaru, you can park in our VIP Parking Area closest to the entrance to our registration booth at Coney. In 2004, Subaru became the first manufacturing plant in America to reach zero landfill status. In 2006, Subaru was awarded the U.S. EPA's Gold Achievement Award as a top achiever in the agency's WasteWise program to reduce waste and improve recycling. For more info about Subaru's commitment to the environment click here.

Cyclists - Get VIP Treatment

If you cycle to Paddlefest (our Music Festival on Friday at Coney Island or our Finish Line Festival on Saturday at the Serpentine Wall), there will be no charge for parking, of course, and you can use our VIP bike racks.

Collect Trash while paddling - get Rewards!

Paddlers will be invited to take trash bags with them to pick up trash they see along the shore as they paddle the Ohio on June 28. Those who turn in one or more bags of trash are entered into a raffle for restaurant gift certificates and other goodies (drawing at 12:30 p.m. at the Serpentine Wall).

Going GREEN Expo at Paddlefest

Look for the numerous exhibits at Coney Island on Friday, June 27 during our Kids Ex-Stream EXPO and our Music & Outdoor Festival that provide useful information on ways you, your family, your workplace or your school can "GO GREEN."