Spring is in the air, and with less than a week to go until the 2nd Annual Zero Waste Faire this Saturday, March 23, here are some things that Wilton Go Green organizers want you to know ahead of the big day.
Bring Unwanted Items for Recycling
Here’s what will be accepted:
- Corks, markers, plastic film and bags, ink cartridges, crayons, candle stubs, yarn, egg cartons, eye glasses, T shirts, reusable bags, flatware, draperies and fabric.
- Bay State Textiles will be collecting all types of textiles.
- Take 2 will collect your electronics and hard drives,
- Junkluggers will accept unwanted items of all kinds.
- Old mattresses will be recycled for free.
New to the Faire this Year:
- Tiny House–Sustainne‘s immersive, sustainable living experience featuring a zero-waste tiny home, greenhouse, raised bed with edible crops, chicken coop with hens, composting system, rain water harvesting system, electric scooter, rescued and up-cycled furniture and more
- EV showcase–talk with owners of Tesla Models, X, S and 3; Chevy Volt; BMW I3S; and Nissan LEAF… and sit in the cars!
- Demonstration Zone–see dozens of great products that will help you bring a Zero Waste lifestyle into your home! Special demonstrations by Stephanie Noto of Chartwells on food packing and storage techniques and by Middlebrook School‘s very own Heather Priest on how to cook with food scraps and minimize food waste!
- “Zero Waste Hacks” exhibit which will help teach ways to “swap out” old habits for better, less wasteful ones!
- Zero Waste Store, featuring the new, amazing BD Provisions; bring your pocketbooks!
Conversation Zone
The Conversation Zone offers the chance to learn more on topics related to sustainability and environmental issues. The schedule of what is taking place in the Conversation Zone is as follows:
Conversation Zone Time Topic 11-11:45 a.m. What’s In What’s Out 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sustainable CT 12:30-1:15 p.m. Zero Waste Lifestyle 1:15-2 p.m. Bag Ban 2-2:45 p.m. Skip the Straw 2:45-3:30 p.m. Sustainable Transportation 3:30-4 p.m. Reduction and the Future of Recycling
Returning for a Second Year
There will be an expanded range of educational activities for kids: Woodcock Nature Center and Earthplace will be attending; Wilton’s very own Captain Zero will be on hand all day; Cyril the Sorcerer, the “Merlin of Environmental Magic,” will perform “Recycling is Magic” at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m..
There will be over 100 exhibitors on hand. Visit exhibits like “Single Use Plastics Experience” to learn the truth about plastics, learn about farming and composting, and even see a sheep shearing demonstration!
This year’s featured speaker, Dr. Mitch Wagener, will lead a program on climate change and why it matters to everyone. His talk will explain the basics but also mix in some new information to an understanding of the world and a future in a warmer world where weather events will be more severe, sea levels higher, and people displaced. The talk will be followed by an opportunity for audience questions and answers on why climate change can be considered the greatest challenge humanity has ever had to face. Wagener’s program is scheduled for 12:30-1:30 p.m..
There is no charge to attend, although donations are welcome with a suggested amount of $5 per person or $10 per family. All funds raised will support Wilton Go Green’s programs, such as the Wilton No Idling initiative and the Zero Waste Schools program.
For more information about the Zero Waste Faire, follow Wilton Go Green on Facebook and Instagram, and for up to date information on exhibitors and event features, visit the Wilton Zero Waste Faire webpage. To get involved with the Zero Waste Faire as a volunteer or to be a sponsor, partner or an exhibitor, email Dana Gips.