Two Richmond Night Markets…But Where’s the Sustainability?

In today’s news, the City of Richmond has approved a permit for the Richmond Night Market, which will be located by River Rock Casino. This means that there will most likely be TWO night markets in Richmond, if Summer Night Market is also approved next month.

One of the biggest drivers to these events are the food and beverage vendors. However, aside from pop cans and bottles, all the food and drinks are served in paper, plastic or styrofoam packaging… that all head straight to the landfill.

We are disappointed to see that there is no sustainability policy from either event organizer. Other large-scale events, like the Vancouver Folk Festival require their food vendors to:

• Source sustainable packaging,
• Provide recycling and composting bins to sort waste, and
• Actively promote event goers to bring their own reusable containers.

We hope that the City of Richmond and the event organizers will use this example to create and enforce concrete sustainability policies.

We also have the power to move the businesses in the right direction as individual consumers. You can find contact information for the Richmond Night Market and Summer Night Market below.

If you want to see a more sustainable night market, you need to let them know!

Richmond Night Market
Website: http://richmondnightmarket.com/
Facebook: Richmond Night Market
Twitter: @RmdNightMarket

Summer Night Market
Website: http://www.summernightmarket.com/
Facebook: Summer Night Market
Twitter: @nightmarket604