Can fixing the world’s trash problem also help fix the economy, public health, energy costs, traffic — and even climate?
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Edward Humes will explore those questions in an engaging and uplifting keynote for Teton County’s Zero Waste Week, October 12–17, marking 35 years of community recycling.
The weeklong celebration features something for everyone — from art and family fun to tours, food and a nationally recognized author — all free and open to the public.
- Recycling Center Open House & Recycled Art Show – Sunday, Oct. 12, 12–4 p.m. | Tours, touch-a-truck, and the food truck Southern Hogspitality will serve up BBQ (food for purchase). Vote for the recycled art People’s Choice Award.
- Recycled Art Contest – Over $5,000 in prizes. Register by Oct. 1. Judging will take place during the Oct. 12 Recycling Center Open House & Art Show, and winners will be announced during the Friday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m. program at the Center for the Arts.
- Free Family Film Matinee– Friday, Oct. 17, 2 p.m. | Teton County ISWR is hosting a free, no-school day movie screening to entertain and inspire audiences, both young and old, at the Center for the Arts Theater.
- 35th Anniversary Celebration and Author Talk with Edward Humes – Friday, Oct. 17 | 5:30 p.m. reception | 7–8 p.m. author talk and art awards. Humes is the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of 17 nonfiction books, including the landmark Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair with Trash and the newly released Total Garbage: How We Can Fix Our Waste and Heal Our World, which is also the title of his talk.
The evening begins with a community reception to celebrate the 35th anniversary of recycling in Jackson Hole, includes hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and art contest award announcements, and concludes with a book-signing.
“Zero Waste Week is a chance to celebrate how far our community has come in the 35 years since a small but dedicated group of volunteers started collecting cans and newspapers in a Quonset hut. It’s also the chance to look ahead at the valley’s Road to Zero Waste goals of reducing the amount of trash being trucked to the landfill,” said Cindy Harger, Teton County waste diversion outreach specialist.
“We’re inviting everyone — families, students, longtime locals, new residents, visitors — to be part of this milestone,” Harger said.
More info on these upcoming events: RoadToZeroWasteJH.org/Zero-Waste-Week-Events
Zero Waste Week is presented by Teton County Integrated Solid Waste & Recycling, with support from these generous sponsors:
- Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board
- West Bank Sanitation
- Community Foundation of Jackson Hole
- New Waste Removal
- Jackson Hole Airport
- Centennial Recycling
- Central States Wire Products
- Jackson Hole Curbside Recycling
- Trans Hudson Trading
About Teton County ISWR
Teton County Integrated Solid Waste & Recycling aims to reduce, reuse, recycle and manage municipal solid waste throughout Teton County, Wyoming, in an efficient and environmentally-sound manner, with a goal of achieving 60% waste diversion by 2030. Learn more at RoadToZeroWasteJH.org and TetonCountyWY.gov/Recycle.