Wilton Go Green (WGG) held a press conference on Wednesday, April 8 to kick off new programs leading up to their highly anticipated bi-annual Wilton Go Green festival, which will be held on Sunday, May 3.
Green Business
In announcing Wilton’s Green Business Designation program, first selectman Bill Brennan called WGG “a tremendous organization,” and a “stalwart in our energy programs in the town. It has increased the image of conservation throughout the town of Wilton.”
He introduced Tom Sato, the owner of Wilton Hardware, which was recognized as the first business to receive WGG’s Green Business Designation, a title given to Wilton companies, businesses and organizations that demonstrate leadership in sustainable practices.
When they first started promoting the program at a Wilton Chamber of Commerce event in November, WGG explained that they came up with about four dozen “sustainable practices,” or steps that business can take to make them more environmental. They split the actions into five categories–education, water, indoor environment, transportation and energy. By completing a certain number of actions in each of the categories, businesses can earn either a “Green” status or a “Platinum” status.
“We’re happy to participate in this. We try to follow the principles that WGG has listed–we try to use LED bulbs wherever we can, light sensors, low-flush toilets, We’ve really embraced the idea of looking to use less energy and save money,” Sato explained.
Green Schools
The environmental group also promoted its Green Leaf Schools initiative in conjunction with Wilton Public Schools. Superintendent Dr. Kevin Smith said the district is “thrilled to be working with WGG,” and introduced Wilton High School senior–and WGG board member Alex Scaperotta–to talk about the program.
Scaperotta explained what it meant that Middlebrook and Wilton High School have joined the CT Green Leaf Schools program.
“While many of our students, faculty and staff have been working independently on programs within the schools, such as recycling or organic gardening, the Green Leaf Program will bring a greater focus and priority toward sustainable practice. It will provide us with the support to help focus our goals, identify ways we can meet our goals, and provide the tools to implement these plans,” he said.
Among the goals the participating schools will strive to reach are to provide environmental and sustainable education; to improve the health and wellness of students and staff; and to reduce the environmental impact and cost.
Green Community Activities
Wilton Go Green’s president Peg Koellmer introduced Adrienne Houel, the president and CEO of Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises, Inc., which created a program to recycle mattresses in 2012. Since then, she’s found support when in 2013, CT became the first state to enact legislation on mattress sales–attaching a $9 ‘eco fee’ to the purchase price of every new mattress. Those funds will be pooled to pay for the recycling offered to towns and to support the programs–like Houel’s–that deconstruct mattresses. That law will take effect on May 1.
Houel is bringing her program to participate in the May 3, making Wilton one of the first communities to take part.
“The people in Wilton can come and bring their mattresses [to the festival], we will deconstruct them for free. We recycle all the components of the mattresses, and they will be sold back into manufacturing and industry for additional products that need foam, wood, springs and many other products that are in mattresses,” she explained.
Green Celebrations
WGG’s cornerstone event is the 5th annual Wilton Go Green Festival, and organizers promise that live music and delicious food are just part of the attractions at the event on Sunday, May 3. Folks from southwestern CT and neighboring Westchester County towns are invited to celebrate sustainable living and the Earth’s incredible bounty, assisted by pet-able wildlife “ambassadors,” proud electric car owners, creative leaders of children’s activities, and more than 70 craftsmen and exhibitors for what promises to be an exciting day of discovery, entertainment and family fun.
The Festival — centered around the Town Green gazebo and the Library — will officially get underway at 11 a.m. with live performances, shopping, and exhibitors eager to share their knowledge of energy conservation, greener buildings, eco-friendly transportation, recycling and sustainable living. Other booths will feature gifts, kid-friendly games, face painting, a silent auction and more.
“This event has become an important feature of Wilton’s intrinsic values and goals. Sustainability is now practiced in all kinds of ways, and WGG helps to make it simple, rewarding and economically viable,” says WGG president Peg Koellmer.