GAHANNA GOES GREEN

How the city plans to reduce waste, and save food, through new earth-friendly initiatives

By Michele Mooney

The City of Gahanna has launched a new program to make it easier for Gahanna residents to reduce food waste and help the environment.

Thanks to the support of a Community Waste Reduction grant awarded by SWACO (Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio), the City was able to partner with GoZERO Services, a food waste compost carrier, to establish a Food Waste Program for residents.

Under the program, registered residents can collect food scraps in a compostable bin to be dropped off at a community compost location at Friendship Park (150 Oklahoma Avenue). The scraps are then collected by GoZERO and used to build healthy soils and grow nutritious food, rather than send these nutrients to the landfill.

The Program officially was introduced to the community in late April, to coincide with Earth Day celebrations. The first 100 residents who registered for the free program received a complimentary compostable bucket, provided by the City.

“Less than three days after the program was publicly announced, we had more than 200 residents register for the program,” said Grant Crawford, Gahanna’s Director of Public Service & Engineering. “Given Gahanna residents’ high participation in recycling efforts, we were not surprised by the number of people who were immediately interested in participating in the program and we look forward to seeing the program continue to grow.”

The compost program is a first step in overall efforts to develop a long-term, citywide sustainability plan – a project that is currently underway within the City, said Gahanna Mayor Laurie Jadwin. “Caring for the environment continues to be a priority for the City of Gahanna,” said Mayor Jadwin. “Many of our residents already are engaged in composting in some form. Offering an organized Food Waste Program was an easily identifiable initiative that we were immediately able to undertake, thanks to our partnership with SWACO and GoZERO.”

The goal of the City’s Food Waste Program is to create usable compost, while saving room in our County’s landfill. The new diversion process is being launched in coordination with SWACO’s regional #SaveMoreThanFood campaign – which is geared towards educating residents on the importance of reducing the amount of food waste and encouraging participation in the community composting program.

“Central Ohioans send nearly a million pounds of food waste to the landfill every single day,” said Kyle O’Keefe, Director of Innovation and Programs for SWACO. ”When all of that food goes to waste, so do the environmental and economic resources used to grow, harvest and transport it. We applaud the City of Gahanna for taking a bold stand on sustainability and look forward to working with them to ensure that the drop off program is successful and that the City is able to meet its waste reduction goals.”

A registration link to participate in the City of Gahanna’s community compost program can be found on the City’s website at https:// www.gahanna.gov/refuse-recycling-andyard-waste/.

Information on composting, yard waste collection and recycling also be found there.

Want to know more? www.savemorefood.com

www.gozero.com

CLOTHES CAN TELL A STORY

The Fable Collection Boutique opens at Creekside

By Michele Mooney

Gahanna has another new chic retail option for women's fashions! The Fable Collection opened its doors at in the Creekside District this spring, offering a unique, local shopping experience, right in the heart of Gahanna.

Terri Birchler’s inspiration of opening a clothing boutique came after a successful shopping spree at a clothing store in Southern Indiana last fall.

“Last summer I visited several stores and struggled to find something that I liked and was reasonably priced,” said Birchler. “In the fall, I traveled to my hometown of Bedford, Indiana and visited my favorite boutique where I found the type of clothing and accessories that I wanted and from there, the idea of bringing a similar concept to Gahanna was born.”

The Fable Collection is owned by Birchler. Her daughter Kaley, and daughter-in-law Alexandra are also involved with the business. In fact, the theme for The Fable Collection came from Kaley and encourages women to tell stories through fashion. Along with sharing a story each month, The Fable Collection plans to host fashion shows on social media and host events to bring women in the community together. Fable Collection receives new merchandise weekly in sizes small to 2XL. Although Birchler encourages a visit to the boutique, The Fable Collection also has an online store, www.thefablecollection.com.

Birchler and her husband have lived in Gahanna since 2001.

“We have raised our family here and I am so excited to have our family business be part of the Gahanna community we love,” said Birchler.

The Fable Collection, located at 171 N. High St., is open Tuesday-Saturday. Follow The Fable Collection on Facebook and Instagram @thefablecollection for fashion and stories.