"In all the land, there is not one place or one day you could go and see all of this kind of celebrating of recycling on every level," said artist Ira Ono about the second annual Discover Recycling Fair, which starts this week at Blaisdell Arena.

Yes, there will be informational booths on refuse services, HI 5¢ redemption and H-Power. But you can also check out a fashion show of designs made out of a used laundry basket, old dryer parts and java-stained coffee filters; learn how to create personalized greeting cards and envelopes using recycled materials; or get your hands into a bin of slithering composting worms.

The free event, coordinated by the city's Department of Environmental Services, will address all ranges of recycling questions people may have, from how to set up recycling programs in their businesses to what kind of equipment to consider to start a recycling area in their garages, said Suzanne Jones, the city's recycling coordinator.

"I'm hoping that people walk away with the resources and the knowledge that they need to do more with recycling, whether it's at school, at home or at work," Jones said.

Mindy Jaffe, owner of Waikiki Worm Company, will be among the exhibitors, giving a crash course on composting with worms and offering starter worm-kits for $20.

"People are looking for recycling strategies that they can do other than standing in line" to redeem beverage containers, Jaffe said. "Worms are a very rewarding way of recycling."

The fair opens people up to their options, she said.

"It's an awareness-building event," Jaffe said. "It just breathes new ideas and encourages new thinking about resource management."

In addition to displays by more than two dozen eco-conscious organizations — including The Green House, Recycling For Change, Reynolds Recycling and GreenSak — there also will be an art exhibition, original musicals, hands-on keiki activities and prize drawings.

Every visitor will receive "The Opala I.Q. Book," a guide to the fair with descriptions of all the participants and their contact information, and Opala I.Q. Questions. Visitors may tour the fair grounds for the correct answers and earn a recycled-goodie bag.

There will be areas for details on how to organize recycling programs and fundraisers; and a learning center with books, videos, games, and computer workstations with links to Web sites.

While the event is open to the public, organizers are paying special attention to local schools; during the first two days of the Discover Recycling Fair, more than 4,000 students and teachers are expected to attend.

"Our schools are educational centers in our community, and if we could give them more tools and more resources, we can germinate so many new (recycling) projects," Jones said.

DESIRE TO CHANGE

Three local performing groups created original educational shows — "Talkin' Trash," "Convergence Dance Theatre 3R's" and "It Starts With a Can" — featuring recycling-themed songs, dances and storytelling for the keiki.

The Trash2Fashion Show presents outfits and accessories made out of recycled and reused items such as bubble wrap, junk mail, window shades and mosquito netting.

Artists Ginger Royal and Rebecca Horne collaborated on two pieces using shredded paper packing strips, nuts and bolts, a laundry basket and bathroom fixtures.

"The big message is to think about what's going in and going out of your household," Royal said.

At the recycled-art center, visitors can participate in art projects and create handmade paper beads and personalized magnets, or check out an exhibition of recycled sculptures, paintings and collages.

Organizers hope the fair's fun diversions will help renew people's connection to the importance of recycling, Jones said.

"Even though they get all the tools and all the resources, they've got to want to make that change," Jones said. "And that's what all of the music, performers and artists are all about, to help encourage a bit more interest."