To the Editor:

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Wilton Go Green! Our purpose has remained steadfast — to encourage residents of all ages in Wilton and surrounding communities to be responsible conservation stewards of air, land, wildlife and other natural resources.

Collectively, our all-volunteer team and the contributions of many residents have resulted in sustainable initiatives across schools, businesses and at home that have fundamentally changed the health and welfare of Wilton.

In 2024, initiatives supported our mission to raise visibility and showcase local resources for green living, including lessening food waste; recycling right; reduce & reuse; and energy efficiency. We coupled this programming with education for every age in schools, businesses and the broader community.

Thanks to your support and engagement, we have proven that individuals doing one thing can have an outsized impact on the health of our community and set an example for others to embrace green habits. Our 2024 annual report showcases the full breadth of our outreach efforts in this community. See a small sampling of these successful initiatives and educational opportunities below.

For the past 15 years, we’ve brought together volunteers, community organizations, non-profits, businesses and schools to share a mutual passion for conversation, conservation and sustainability. Our goal is unchanged — to create fun, memorable experiences and learning for our community and encourage habits that will preserve our precious resources of air, land and water.

In 2025, we are exploring new pathways — an opportunity for the next leaders to step up with a fresh perspective and enthusiasm to advance our programming and foster a culture of conservation. I will complete my final year as president after six years of unwavering dedication and commitment and many Board members are finishing up their terms.

As a not-for-profit organization, our existence revolves entirely around the generosity of volunteers and private and public funding from donations and grants. There are so many small or big ways to get involved and make a positive impact.

Start by thinking about ways to live green that ultimately make you happy and fulfilled. Take a look around your home or step outside — see what you can do in your own backyard that contributes to green living — do one thing that brings happiness to your day and in turn creates a sustainable habit that can make a difference in our community.

Take another step down a pathway to explore how you can get more involved at your own pace in an organization like Wilton Go Green. Your participation as a board member, or a visible presence at our events, supporting our educational programs or a donation is integral to our success moving forward.

We need you to continue to be here for the town of Wilton, our residents, our schools and our businesses. Join us for an open Board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Comstock Community Center to learn more. You can also email us to learn how to get involved, make a donation to support our ongoing initiatives, or visit our website to see the many ways big or small that you can support.

Sample of 2024 Programs and Initiatives

Food Scrap Recycling Program — Completing its second year, the recycling program encourages residents to drop off their food scraps at Wilton’s Transfer Station to feed the planet instead of landfills. Since its inception, Wilton has diverted 60,000 pounds of food (30 tons) from our waste stream.

Single-Use Product Elimination in Cider Mill School — Thanks to donations from 100 community residents and local organizations including Plastic Free Restaurants, thousands of trays and utensils were diverted from incineration and replaced with reusable utensils this year. Reusable utensils were also donated to Miller-Driscoll Elementary School and Wilton High School. State funding efforts spearheaded by a high school student secured the installation of the first dishwasher and reusable utensils at Wilton High School.

Annual Halloween Costume Exchange — For the fourth consecutive year, Wilton Go Green has hosted this reduce and reuse program. In 2024, over 40 families donated more than 200 costumes for 100 attendees to “shop” for their free costumes.

Ogden House Glass Recycling Program — Weekly, volunteers collected glass at the senior center to help reduce the contamination that was happening with mixed-stream recycling. Thanks to the participation of many residents, over 4,000 food and beverage containers were brought to the transfer station last year.

Green Speaker Series — Since 2012, Wilton Go Green, in partnership with the Wilton Library, co-hosts multiple speakers a year to educate residents on topics of sustainable living including presentations from environmental explorers, solar workshops, electric cars, zero energy homes, composting, film screenings, sustainable fashion and no idle workshops.

Tammy Thornton
President
Wilton Go Green