by Leah Justice
leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

COLUMBUS – The Polk County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution endorsing solid waste management and recycling efforts during the World Equestrian Games (WEG) to be held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) next year.

Commissioners met Monday, July 17 and unanimously approved the resolution as well as spoke with Polk County Solid Waste Director Larry Walker.

Walker said the WEG will be big and he’s trying to cut waste down as much as possible and the only way to do that is through recycling.

County manager Marche Pittman said the resolution is a joint resolution with commissioners and the Polk County Recycling Advisory Board both giving approval.

The WEG is planned at TIEC for two weeks in September 2018. The event is held around the world in different locations and has drawn up to 50,000 spectators per day, with event totals at 500,000 for the two-week event.

Following is the resolution approved by commissioners and the recycling advisory board:

Resolution endorsing solid waste management and recycling efforts during the 2018 World Equestrian Games

WHEREAS, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Equestrian Games 2018 will be held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Polk County, North Carolina (USA) September 2018; and

WHEREAS, the FEI World Equestrian Games, held every four years in the middle of the Olympic cycle, is one of the biggest events on the global sporting calendar, combining eight World Championships at one event; and

WHEREAS, equestrian enthusiasts from more than 70 countries will compete with 500,000 plus spectators watching; and

WHEREAS, it is a priority of this community to protect human health and the environment through safe and effective management of solid waste; and

WHEREAS, it is a goal of the community to maintain its physical appearance and to reduce the adverse effects of large crowds and the compilation of refuse; and

WHEREAS, Polk County recognizes its role in the encouragement of proper disposal and recycling; and

WHEREAS, involvement of the Tryon International Equestrian Center is critical to the establishment of an effective solid waste and recycling program for an event of this magnitude.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Polk County Board of Commissioners and the Polk County Recycling Advisory Board to hereby support and encourage the development and implementation of practices and policies by Tryon International Equestrian Center to further the aims of waste reduction and recycling during the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.