In an effort to promote sustainability, Santa Claus will wear a green suit Saturday.
During the fifth-annual Green Gift Fair, which will run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Repurpose Project, located at 1920 NE 23rd Ave., the Green Sustainable Santa will read a story about sustainability to children as part of the free event, said Lynn Polke, the creative enabler for The Repurpose Project. The event will feature live music, food, handmade gifts by local artisans, crafting stations to learn how to make their own repurposed items and sustainable Santa wearing a big, green suit.
The nonprofit organization is hosting the event to promote local handmade and repurposed gifts to encourage a more sustainable holiday season, she said.
“We want to make people aware and conscious of how much they’re using,” Polke said. “It’s mind-boggling how much gets thrown away.”
They are asking for $3 to $5 donations for the event, which will help maintain The Repurpose Project store and help educate people, Polke said.
She hopes people walk away knowing they can make a positive impact, she said.
“Instead of going shopping, we can share time with local community members and learn to make things ourselves,” she said.
Emily Taylor, a UF environmental science senior, said she was excited to see the sustainable fair take place in Gainesville.
“The amount of waste people reduce by buying local is more than they think,” the 23-year-old said.
