JOIN our Do ONE Thing Community!

Take some time to review all of the areas of your home in which you can make some simple  changes in order to help us move towards a more sustainable community together!

Then, take a moment and share with us ONE simple change you've already made and one NEW change you'd like to make in the next 30 days.  A Wilton Go Green Board member will check in with you and see how you're doing.  We hope to share your stories with our Wilton Go Green and Wilton Community.

Share and sign up at the bottom of the page.

See what some of our community members are doing… 

Jamie – “My family and I use hand towels instead of paper towels to dry off our hands." 

Doris – “I've decided to purchase a hybrid car to drive down gas emissions." 

Brian – “We use our programmable thermostat to manage our home's temperature." 

Surbhi – “We utilize the library for books and magazines instead of buying them new." 

Click to see more of your community members in action. 

KITCHEN

• Use cloth towels and napkins.
• Use sponges made from biodegradable materials like bamboo or natural sponge.
• Try a reusable silicone sponge.
• Use reusable wraps like beeswax and silicone.
• Use reusable containers to store food.
• Use reusable snack bags for lunches and snacks.
• Use reusable water bottles and thermos.
• Check your water and drink from the tap.
• Fill your dishwasher.
• If buying new appliances, check for Energy Star Certification.
• Unplug appliances like the toaster and coffee pot when they are not in use.
• Switch to a reusable coffee filter/pod.

FOOD/GROCERY STORE

• Meal plan in order to reduce food waste.
• Have a leftover night each week.
• Have a meatless Monday meal.
• Compost food waste at home or use a pick up service.
• Try growing your own food in containers, small garden or raised beds.
• Shop farmer's markets and buy local.
• BYO shopping bags to ANY store.
• Use reusable produce bags for produce, coffee beans, etc.
• Buy in bulk and use reusable containers for smaller serving sizes.
• Buy items with the least amount of packaging possible.

BATHROOM

• Take shorter showers.
• Switch to bar soap for hands, body and hair.
• Switch to bamboo toothbrushes or one made from recycled material.
• Try toothpaste tabs.
• Switch to a plastic-free floss or invest in a water flosser.
• Switch to reusable cotton rounds.
• Switch to a safety razor, look for recyclable placements, invest in a rechargeable razor.

LIVING AREAS

• Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
• Install LED lightbulbs.
• Buy second hand clothes and furniture.
• Look for sustainably made clothes and furniture.
• Join a Buy Nothing Group.
• Donate/shop at local consignment shops.
• Lower your thermostat.
• Keep up to date with system services and new filters.
• Use curtains or blinds to help regulate inside temperatures.

HOME/SCHOOL OFFICE

• Think before your print.
• Buy recycled paper products.
  Print double-sided by manually flipping paper in your current home printer.  When you need to buy new, look for a double-sided printer.
• Recycle ink cartridges and paper.
• Recycle old electronics.
• Look for recycled content when buying office supplies.
• Get a reusable pen.
• Turn off monitors and computers when not in use.

LAUNDRY 

• Be sure to have full loads when you wash.
• Wash in cold water – even dropping from hot to warm saves energy.
• Put your dryer on a low temperature for longer (yes, it saves more energy).
• Hang/line dry clothes, especially those with synthetic fibers.
• Try laundry strips, plastic free pods, or buying powdered detergent in cardboard.
• Try and spot clean clothes instead of fulling washing.
• When buying new, look for Energy Star appliances.
• Help capture microfibers going into the waterways and out the dryer vents with a Cora Ball, Guppy Bag or installing a Filtrol system.

BACKYARD

• Plant pollinator-friendly, native plants.
  Refuse to use pesticides on your lawn.
• Mulch leaves into your lawn instead of blowing them all away.
• Turn a portion of your lawn into a garden or meadow.
• Install rain barrels (DIY or already assembled) on your downspouts.
• Try growing some food or herbs.
• Start a compost pile.
• Put out a birdbath.
• Turn your outdoor lights off at night and use dark sky friendly lighting.

OTHER AREAS OF YOUR HOME

• Make sure your attic is well insulated.
• Turn down the temperature on your hot water heater.
• Sign up for a FREE Home Energy Audit.
• Check your tire pressure on your car monthly.
• Consolidate car trips when heading out.
• Walk between stores if possible.
• Don't idle.
• When shopping for a new car, consider an electric vehicle.
• Do a trash audit for your home.
• Learn where your trash goes.

Click for image citations.