Eco Expo

Come see us at this Sunday's Eco expo at Temple Israel from 11am-3pm! Here's a preview from today's Commercial Appeal...

Eco Expo at Temple Israel this Sunday

Businesses, churches and other organizations gather this weekend to show how they are getting more environmentally conscious at the Eco Expo at Temple Israel.

More than 50 exhibitors will display their eco-friendly products and programs at the event, which will run Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1376 E. Massey Road.

The annual free event has a distinct purpose, according to Linda Kaplan, lead chair of the Eco Expo.

“This is to inform and educate, and to advertise for those who have green products and services to offer or that is their only offering,” Kaplan said.

Based on attendance the first two years, the expo is expected to draw between 400 – 700 people, she said.

Attendees are encouraged to bring used plastic water bottles and jugs, which will be strung together on a rope to wrap around the exterior of the temple, symbolic of the eco-fact that the world uses enough plastic bottles each year to circle the earth five times.

People who bring re-usable beverage containers can fill them will lemonade, also at no charge, Kaplan said.

Some of the 50 exhibitors already registered include the City of Memphis Storm Water Matters, Bridges, MLGW and Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare, which will be accepting used cell phones and chargers at its booth to recondition and send to overseas military personnel.

MLH will also accept used eyeglasses, sunglasses and eyeglass cases to be used for its Project 20-20 for medical mission teams.

Baltz and Sons Concrete is returning for its third year and the goal is to try to educate people about a new type of permeable concrete the company installs.

“It’s an opportunity to reach a crowd that is interested in environmentally friendly products that are available and that gives me an opportunity to teach people about pervious concrete, which is an innovation in environmentally more-friendly paving alternative,” said Kevin Baltz, president and owner.

A new aspect of this year’s Expo is that congregations from numerous denominations are pitching in as sponsors this year, including The Church of the Holy Spirit, Memphis Islamic Center, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and several others.

“We are so pleased they are helping to sponsor this,” Kaplan said.

Temple Israel will continue to hold the annual event, until the need for it is gone.

“The best thing that could happen is that everyone becomes so familiar, and green companies are their companies of choice that there would be no need for us to have this.”

Want to participate?

Booth prices are $20 for vendors who do not need electricity and can use an open space, $45 for those who need access to electricity and a back wall.

“The charge is just to cover our expenses,” Kaplan said.

Based on the last two years, she said it’s not uncommon for registrants to pour in at the last minute.

Persons interested in booth space can e-mail timemphisecoexpo@msn.com, or call 482-6487.