by John Nyhan

The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival is moving forward this year in its recycling efforts in hopes that one day it can be totally green.

Jude David, Seafood Festival Chairperson, said “The festival took a baby step last year and has decided to take a bigger step this year by expanding its recycling efforts in different areas.”

“We are very fortunate to have John Nyhan spearheading the recycling efforts for this event. It is a huge undertaking. Mr. Nyhan was the recipient of the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce Seafood Festival Award this year for his countless volunteer hours in planning, organizing and executing our recycling efforts", states David. "We are very privileged to have him on our committee."

With the assistance of Waste Management, a long time partner of the festival, the recycling committee will be providing single stream recycling for this year’s two and a half day event. “We decided to include not only plastic bottles but also cardboard, glass, plastic cups, and aluminum cans,” said Nyhan. “Also, in expanding our going green efforts,” Nyhan said, “the festival committee has entered into a multi-year agreement with Dave’s Septic Services of Manchester, NH who will provide environmentally certified green portable restroom rentals.”

Along with Waste Management, two other recycling sponsors will be Samyn-D’Elia Architects (the firm responsible for designing the approved Hampton Beach State Park Redevelopment Project) and Green Alliance, a Portsmouth-based "green business union" whose mission it is to increase the profits of the businesses that are having the least impact on the environment and, through business-to-business mentoring and strength in partnership, encourage more sustainable business practices. GA Assistant Director Rian Bedard, a veteran Seacoast composting and recycling expert, will provide educational services throughout the weekend with the hope of influencing the public to think more about the goods and services they use in their own communities and to encourage more sustainable choices.

 A separate firm, Smart Fuel, will be recycling the used vegetable oil from Seafood Festival vendors, refining it, to then be used as Biofuel which will heat homes throughout the seacoast this winter. Used fry-o-later oil (which is refined to a second generation ASTM spec’d fuel) is the key to a local, sustainable, more efficient fuel that allows all of us to decrease our dependency on foreign oil. This is the main ingredient in the production of BioHeat which can be ordered though Simply Green Biofuels, a local provider.

“We will also have a recycling education tent, signs, and regular announcements during the festival,” David said. “We also hope to expand our educational efforts out on to the beach area each day with volunteers sweeping the beach with educational information and plastic bags for visitors to use for their trash and recyclable items.”

Other partners aiding the chamber once again this year include Hampton’s Education/Recycling Committee, the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development – State Parks Division, Hampton Village District Beautification Committee, local Boy and Girl Scout groups, and the Hampton Rotary Club.

“Adding to the seafood festival desire to go green,” David said, “was Hampton Beach continued designation as a five star beach as far as the water quality is concerned.” “I think that just strengthens our community commitment to ‘go green and stay clean’” added Nyhan.

The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival will be held Friday through Sunday, September 11 – 13. Complete details about the annual event can be found at www.hamptonbeachseafoodfestival.com. Or email nyhan7@aol.com