Colony Place to host Go Green with GATRA Expo Sunday
By Kathryn Koch
GateHouse News Service
Posted Apr 29, 2009 @ 10:00 AM
Last update Apr 30, 2009 @ 11:36 AM
PLYMOUTH — In our increasingly “green” world, Colony Place will hold its first Go Green Expo this Sunday, May 3.
Colony Place will Go Green with GATRA (Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority) from 11 a.m. 4 p.m. under a big tent set up near the Olive Garden restaurant. Shoppers will be able to ask questions about the green products, services and concepts featured at the expo.
While not all Colony Place businesses are participating, Marketing Director Deborah Keating said Saxon Partners, the retail development’s owner, understand the importance of going green and the need to educate the public about ways to do so.
“It’s an important message, and we have a huge responsibility to get it out,” she said.
The nonprofit greenschools organization has been working to do just that.
Located in Mansfield, greenschools works with schools across the state to create healthier learning environments through education and awareness. Founder Robin Organ serves as the organization’s executive director.
“Our mission is to create greener and healthier learning environments through education and awareness,” Organ said. “We educate those involved with the school community about indoor air quality, the 3 Rs – reduce, reuse, and recycle – and nutrition. We teach students, teachers, administrators and parents how to create healthy bodies and a healthy planet.”
As the benefactor of the Go Green expo, greenschools will use the money raised for educational programs. Funding will be used to create educational resources, including games, curriculum and videos for the new school year in the fall.
By participating in the expo, Organ said, greenschools can reach out to more people to bring about positive change. The organization can also get the word out about its programs and the resources it shares with schools and communities looking to make a difference.
Organ said greenschools has the same goal as the event’s producer, Creating Marketing Results, the Colony Place owners and the business owners sponsoring the event.
“We are all trying to raise awareness and bring education to Plymouth and its surrounding communities,” she said.
Go Green Web Directory founder Paula Keif, based in Marshfield, started six months ago building an online Web directory of all kinds of businesses committed to using green products and offering green services to customers.
“We’re compiling the green pages for consumers who want to be more socially conscious and care about the environment,” she said.
Keif said participating in the Go Green Expo will help spread the word about the directory and help educate the public about ways they can “go green” in their daily lives.
As one of the first regional transit agencies to use hybrid buses, GATRA plays an important role in promoting a cleaner environment, Executive Director Frank Gay said. Participating in the expo fits right in with GATRA’s mission to promote a greener attitude and getting cars off the road and drivers into public transportation.
“I think it was natural for us to work with CMR and be a sponsor,” he said.
GATRA has been working with sustainable energy committees in the communities it serves to promote sustainable practices in public transportation, he said, adding that the timing of the expo is good because of increasing interest in sustainability.
One of GATRA’s hybrid buses will be at the expo to raise awareness of the role public transportation agencies can have in protecting the environment.
Several businesses will offer giveaways during the day. Families can enter to win $2,500 worth of energy efficient windows from Ultimate Doors & Windows, $500 worth of organic mulch from The Green Connection and one of five home cleaning supply kits from Melaleuca.
Live entertainment will include an appearance by Miss Earth Massachusetts, Kymberly Young, and a show presented by Pitter Patter Puppets. Admission is $5 per family.