Residents will learn about the different ways they can make ecologically sound decisions at a "green to green" earth fair at Tenakill Middle School, Saturday, April 5.
The fair, sponsored by the Closter Democratic Club, will feature exhibitions by "green" businesses such as Solar Living, Inc., Smart Car, Plant Health Alternatives and many others.
"It is a local event to help residents in town make decisions [that affect] their lives environmentally," said founder Michael Kafir. He said that the event is non-profit with no entrance or donation fees.
Rather than a money making venture, Kafir wants people to come away from the event better equipped to make environmentally conscious choices in their day to day lives.
"If you want to redo your kitchen it’s a time you can make a decision about things like appliances, lighting and heating. Or purchasing a new car, these are decisions where you can make a difference with the environment and in your life," Kafir said.
The "smart car" will be on exhibit and people will have the opportunity to test drive it. The fair will also feature dry cleaners that offer alternatives to customary dry cleaning solvents, such as Green Apple Cleaners which uses carbon dioxide as part of the process. Kafir hopes people will learn more about ways to make their homes more environmentally friendly, including the installation of solar panels or energy efficient washing machines and dryers.
Closter’s bike dealer, All Body Schwinn Bicycles, is also listed among the participating businesses because, Kafir said, "What’s more environmentally friendly than a bike?"
Jeffrey Saad, a long time friend of Kafir’s and also dedicated to the cause, said the event is one that should interest everyone since the environment is an issue that speaks across all lines. Despite being sponsored by the Democratic Club it is not a partisan issue, said Saad, who himself is Republican.
"This is a worldwide concern," he said.
Participating businesses hope to get the word out about different ways to preserve the environment.
Co-founder of Green Apple Cleaners, Chris Skelley, said although 90 percent of his company’s clients are in Manhattan, he hopes to expand to Closter.
Green Apple cleans with zero impact on the environment, said Skelley. "We don’t do any toxic chemical treatment. We clean in CO2 or water [depending on the stain]." He explained that biodegradable and hypoallergenic soaps are used in combination with the natural gas CO2 to remove stains and that every part of the process is environment-friendly, even down to the reusable garment bag the clothes are returned in.
He hopes to educate the public about their dry cleaning options, even if there is not enough interest to expand the service to Closter.
Mike Mazzeo of Solar Living, Inc. also doesn’t mind educating the public without a guarantee of receiving business from the fair. He said the company, which sells solar hot water, pool heating and electric systems is participating even though a solar system is rarely ever sold through a fair.
Instead, he said they participate "because the subjects of the environment and saving energy is important to us and we must help educate those looking to lower their energy bills and ways to do it that are the most environmentally friendly and cost effective."
The fair will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Tenakill Middle School gymnasium, located at 275 High St. For more information, visit www.clostergreen.com.
