There’s no better time than spring to clean up, clean out and conserve items. With so many people looking for ways to do just that, Wilton Go Green is encouraging residents to think twice about sustainability before tossing items in the trash.
The organization is hosting two upcoming (and free!) events this Saturday, May 18 to help Wilton get its green on and feel good about protecting the community and the planet.
Organizers are inviting residents to participate in one or both events to protect the planet and support two great causes — Circle of Care and Wilton Go Green.
Repair Café
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Cannon Grange (25 Cannon Rd.)
Wilton Go Green and Cannon Grange have teamed up to host the Repair Café, a gathering place for community residents to not only try and repair a treasured item and give it a chance at a second life but also learn alongside Wilton Go Green’s volunteer fixers. And if they can’t fix it, organizers can direct attendees to someone who can.
Benefits of a Repair Café include reducing household waste, cutting CO2 emissions and using fewer materials than it would take to produce something new. The community benefits from the passing on of valuable skills that are disappearing in this “one-click online order” culture.
Repair Categories:
- Bicycles — seat adjustments, squeaky brakes, chain issues, flat tires
- Jewelry — clasps, extend & cleaning
- Small appliances
- Lamps
- Clothing — buttons, patches, holes, knitting projects, small hems, stuffed animals/loveys
- NEW — Guitar restringing and tuning
- NEW — Stereos, Amplifiers and turntables
Consultations: sit and talk with Wilton Go Green experts to ask questions about items and get some repair tips.
- Gardens
- Tech Support — updates, scam alerts, connectivity issues and diagnostics
The How-To’s and Info for the Repair Cafe
- Register online for a time slot. Be sure to include a note about the item being brought.
- Participants with more than one item need to sign up for more than one timeslot — each person is allowed a maximum of two timeslots for the entire event to allow more residents to participate
- Repair Cafe fixers have 30-minute slots.
- Only one item can be brought during that 30-minute slot.
- Upon arrival, guests will sign a waiver and can enjoy coffee/tea while waiting for the fixer
- Volunteer fixers will assess each item to see if it’s reparable. If they can repair the item, guests can take the opportunity to remain with the fixer to learn what they are doing.
- Passing along new skills is encouraged
Shred to Shed Event
9 a.m.-12 p.m., Fairfield County Bank Parking Lot (190 Old Ridgefield Rd.)
Circle of Care and Wilton Go Green are co-hosting a community shred day! Paper is one of the best items to recycle, whether it’s newspapers, magazines or brown paper bags. However, once shredded, paper is a top-five contaminant and is not accepted at any curbside or drop-off recycling programs. That’s because the tiny bits of shredded paper can’t make it through the recycling sorting process.
This event gives residents the chance to recycle sensitive documents responsibly and for free!
The How To’s and Info for the Shred to Shed Event:
- A secure Shred Truck generously hosted by Fairfield County Bank and sponsored by John Schiaroli of William Pitt Sotheby’s will be onsite.
- Residents can bring their items to the shred truck, where they can also learn more about Circle of Care and Wilton Go Green as well as enter a raffle!
- Maximum five (5) boxes per resident allowed.
- On-site, guests can make a $20 suggested donation per box to benefit Circle of Care and Wilton Go Green.
- Items will be accepted for shredding until noon or when the Shred Truck is full, whichever comes first.
Anyone unable to participate in Saturday’s shred event can drop off shredded paper at designated retail locations (e.g. Staples and UPS) or, as a last resort, place shredded paper in the trash.
For questions on either of Saturday’s events, email Wilton Go Green.