A new recycling program at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt will aim to reduce the Market’s landfill impact by upwards of 30 percent – almost 200 cubic yards – thanks to a $20,000 grant from Duke Energy and a $5,000 grant from Hamilton County Tourism, Inc.
New this year, the Market will have 30 recycling bins for guests to use when they visit, along with facts about recycling in Germany that will be posted around the Market. For example, in the 1970s, Germany had more than 50,000 landfills. Today, they have zero active landfills.
LaBarr
“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Carmel Christkindlmarkt to bring a recycling focus to this year’s event,” said Mark LaBarr, government and community relations manager at Duke Energy. “By supporting the purchase of these recycling receptacles, we hope to help reduce the amount of recyclable waste that ends up in a landfill during this year’s festivities. This sponsorship is just one small way we can help protect our environment and make a positive impact on the well-being of our customers.”
Carmel Christkindlmarkt CEO Maria Murphy said recycling aligns with the organization’s mission around German cultural awareness and education.
Murphy
“While living in Germany, it was striking to me the seamless way in which recycling was a part of the cultural norm for German families,” Murphy said. “The systems they have in place and the positive impact those systems are having on the environment is remarkable. My hope is to mirror those efforts one small step at a time here at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. I’m so grateful to Duke Energy and Hamilton County Tourism for partnering with us to make this endeavor possible.”
While the recycling receptacles are new this year, the Market staff plan to reuse them for years to come, encouraging guests to recycle all the cans, cardboard and more that result from purchases at the Market. In 2022 for example, the Market sold nearly 15,000 canned beverages. This year, the hope is that most if not all of those will be recycled. The Market also hopes to expand this program in the future.
Buckner
“The Carmel Christkindlmarkt’s new recycling program perfectly aligns with Hamilton County’s Tourism commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Sarah Buckner, assistant director of community engagement for Hamilton County Tourism, Inc. “By supporting responsible waste management practices, we can enhance the overall experience for attendees while reducing our impact on the environment.”
The Market opens for the season on Nov. 18. To learn more about the Carmel Christkindlmarkt and see all the official hours, please visit CarmelChristkindlmarkt.com.