Americans discard an estimated 20 million mattresses and box springs annually, with approximately 55,000 of them ending up in incinerators and landfills each day. Sustainable Westport, in partnership with Earthplace, is addressing this waste issue by hosting a FREE BI-ANNUAL mattress/box spring recycling event on Saturday, May 18, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Earthplace, 10 Woodside Ln, Westport, CT 06880.

Did you know that up to 90% of old mattresses can be recycled into new products such as carpet pads, exercise equipment cushioning, bike seats, insulation, air filters, and steel materials? By participating in this event, you can contribute to the zero-waste solution and help divert mattresses and box springs from the landfill.

Bring your dry and unsoiled mattress and/or box spring to Earthplace during the designated time frame. In case you are unable to transport your mattress or box spring, Westport’s Boy Scout Troop 36 will provide a pickup service for a small donation. Sign up here.

The free mattress/box spring recycling event is proudly organized by Sustainable Westport, Earthplace, and supported by Bye Bye Mattress. We would like to extend our gratitude to Westport Boy Scout Troop 36 for their assistance.

The Town of Westport is pleased to announce The Westport Green Building Award for Achievement in Sustainable Design and Construction to a Saugatuck Shores home damaged by a tornado in 2020 and rebuilt for resilience and sustainability.

Project Lead: Patricia M. Miller Residential Design, LLC

Builder: Marc & Joseph Fuscaldo, Fuscaldo Builders

Smart Home Design: Barry Reiner, InnerSpace Electronics

The Westport Green Building Award for Achievement in Sustainable Design and Construction recognizes residential and commercial projects that make, or have made, significant contributions to sustainability and Westport’s future as a Net Zero Community. This award is a collaboration between the Town of Westport and Sustainable Westport and it acknowledges noteworthy accomplishments that add benefit to the Westport community. This winner is a stellar example of what is possible with sustainable design and construction in a residential project.

The original dwelling was built in 1968. When an EF1 tornado hit in 2020 during Tropical Storm Isais, it was fortunate the home was vacant, and no injuries were sustained. The home, however, had the roof torn off and the second floor’s supporting wall structure blown 30-50 ft away. This devastation allowed the home to be rebuilt sustainably within the original building footprint. 

The renovation is now designed for resiliency to sustain future weather events. Flood vents have been added to the lower level, and the building mechanical and electrical systems have been moved above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for FEMA compliance. Glass windows facing the sound feature hurricane-impact glass and are tempered on the inside and laminated on the outside.

The building envelope consists of Boral siding composed of recycled polymer & fly-ash. The fly-ash is a byproduct of coal-combustion power generation that has typically been sent to landfills. Windows and doors are energy efficient. Spray foam insulation provides thermal resistance beyond code requirements. The efficient exterior envelope reduces heating and cooling demands on the home, as well as the size of the heating and cooling equipment.

The Tesla roof generates electricity with glass photovoltaic tiles and supplies 43% of the home’s power consumption. Batteries are installed utilizing 4 Tesla power storage walls to optimize the management of surplus clean energy produced. The house participates in Connected Solutions through the Tesla Virtual Power Plant, where Tesla takes stored energy to meet Eversource’s peak grid demands in the summer months.

The building control system integrates LED lighting, shades, and the heating and cooling system. Combining these systems under one control platform allows for synergies to utilize the windows to provide natural lighting and/or passive heating to reduce energy consumption.

All appliances are Energy Star rated. These appliances meet energy efficiency standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency or US Department of Energy.

A rain garden hosts indigenous plants and receives water gathered from the roof and directed to the garden through a gutter and leader system. A rain cistern is integrated to part of the roof drainage system and provides water for plants.

To learn more about what you can do to make your home more sustainable, refer to the Sustainable Westport Green Building Awards website page.

FREE HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION 

Saturday, April 13

9:00am – 2:00pm

Greens Farm RR Station (Parking Lot 1)

Open and free to Westport, Norwalk, New Canaan, Darien, Stamford, & Greenwich Residents

Many common household items (ex. cleaners, gasoline, pesticides) are considered hazardous wastes because they contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients. When these types of products are disposed of improperly, they can enter our water or solid waste stream, polluting the environment and jeopardizing public health. Swipe for a list of common hazardous chemicals you may have in your home.

Before bringing hazardous household items to the collection site:

• Make sure items are clearly labeled and NEVER MIX CHEMICALS. Incompatible products may react, ignite, or explode, and mixed waste may become not recyclable.
• Keep products in original labeled container.
• Place leaky containers in clear plastic bags.
• Tighten lids of all containers and pack items in sturdy cardboard boxes lined with newspaper.
• Put boxes in the trunk or in the back of the vehicle away from passengers.
• Leave pets and children home when bringing hazardous materials for collection.
• Keep your windows open and drive directly to the collection site.
• Do not smoke or eat while handling hazardous materials.

Sustainable Westport sponsored a three-part free Residential Energy Learning Series designed to provide residents with information, resources, and the confidence to kick off their energy-saving home improvement projects. Our final event, “Everything Solar,” was held on January 23, 2024  at the Westport Library. 

The event began with a welcome and introductions from Sustainable Westport’s Residential Energy Team Leader, Dede McDowell. Expert panelists John Rountree, Owner and Chief Architect of Rountree Architect, and Nathan Hernandez and Chris Lenda from Aegis Solar, shared an informative presentation on the process of transitioning a home or business to solar energy. Their presentation covered how solar panels work, how to choose a solar installation company, key design and installation considerations, and the expected ROI from going solar, as well as financing options, and federal and state incentives. The panel also included a presentation by Jim Wolf, a Westport resident who recently went through the process of installing solar. The evening concluded with lively Q&A from our engaged audience.

You can watch a recording of this event below:

Small changes matter. When we make small, incremental changes in our daily routines, we become catalysts for a more sustainable future. Each individual action holds immense power, and by taking the lead, you have the ability to inspire others to join in. 

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when thinking about how to make your life more “sustainable.” Start by embracing just one small change, and remember to give yourself grace. Every step counts.

Members of the Sustainable Westport community are committing to “one small change” that will not only reduce waste and combat climate change but also enhance the quality of their lives. Check out their videos below for inspiration.

Interested in learning how to make your home more energy efficient? Want to help our community reach our goal of becoming Net Zero by 2050?

Sustainable Westport is sponsoring a three-part FREE Residential Energy Learning Series just for you! Our sessions are designed to provide you with information, resources, and the confidence to kick off your energy-saving home improvement project. An expert panel of energy professionals, paired with real-life Westporters who have been through the process of installing these products, will lead the conversation and answer any questions you may have. 

Join us for “Everything Solar” on Tuesday, January 23, in Brooks Place at the Westport Library. 

• 6:30 – 6:45 p.m. Welcome Reception
• 6:45 – 8:00 p.m. Presentation & Q&A

Join John Rountree, Owner and Chief Architect of Rountree Architect, and Nathan Hernandez, Solar Consultant from Aegis Solar, for an informative presentation on the process of transitioning your home or business to solar energy. Learn how solar panels work, how to choose a solar installation company, key design and installation considerations, and the expected ROI from going solar. Our panel will also break down financing options, including federal and state incentives. You will also hear directly from Jim Wolf, a Westport resident who recently went through the process of installing solar. The evening will conclude with a Q&A.

Please register for this free event here.

(This event was originally scheduled for Tuesday, November 7)

Hey Westporters – Did you know?

Beginning January 1, Connecticut’s “Bottle Bill” DOUBLED its deposit to 10 cents! Originally established in 1978, the bill functions as a deposit-and-return system for bottles and cans, where specific beverages carry a deposit value, reimbursable upon returning the container.

This bottle bill aims to incentivize recycling and proper disposal of beverage containers by attributing a cash value to each container, making it more likely that the containers will be recycled. States with bottle bills (CT is one of only 10 in the U.S.) have much higher recycling rates for containers than non-bottle bill states. The redemption process, separate from curbside recycling, results in less contamination, contributing to higher-quality recycled materials, particularly for plastics.

Eligible containers include most metal, glass, and plastic beverage containers within specific size ranges for carbonated and non-carbonated drinks. The program covers various beverages but excludes certain items like paper cartons, pouches, milk, wine, and liquor.

Consumers can redeem containers at stores selling the deposited beverages, including those equipped with self-service reverse vending machines (RVMs). In (adjacent) to Westport, the two locations to redeem bottles & cans are Stop & Shop and Stew Leonards.

Don’t want to sort and individually insert each item? Been collecting with many to redeem? Simple Bottle Return opened in Bridgeport this past November. They allow you to deposit entire bags full of redeemables, and they do all the work for you! There are also a number of other large-scale redemption collection sites around Connecticut, including EyeRecycle in Danbury, which offers mobile programs for businesses and schools.

Image courtesy of Jose Luis Martinez, CT DEEP

Connecticut’s Bottle Bill laws contribute to the creation of a circular economy by ensuring that valuable resources within these containers are efficiently recycled and reused. This conserves raw materials and reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing new containers from scratch.

Beyond its environmental benefits, this legislation fosters a sense of responsibility and awareness regarding waste management. It educates individuals about the importance of recycling and the impact of their actions on the environment. Ultimately, the value of Bottle Bill legislation extends far beyond the mere refund on containers—it embodies a commitment to sustainability, conservation, and a cleaner future for generations to come.

Have More Questions? Visit the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

This fall, Sustainable Westport sponsored a three-part FREE Residential Energy Learning Series designed to provide residents with information, resources, and the confidence to kick off their energy-saving home improvement projects. Our second event, “Going Geothermal,” was held on December 12, 2023 at the Westport Library. 

There is a lot of buzz about geothermal, but many people are unsure what it is and/or have misconceptions about how expensive or complicated it is to install. At “Going Geothermal,” Brian Gaulzetti, Senior Energy Consultant at Dandelion Energy, provided an overview of how geothermal works, how it helps make healthier homes, and why it’s so effective at saving energy (and money!). Then our panel explored the differences between ground-source and air-source heat pumps, as well as key considerations for installation. EnergizeCT Consultants James Lewis and Malik Arif shared information about special incentives and no-cost consultation services available to residents. Lastly, Westport residents Jenn Cirino and Ethan Olmstead, who installed geothermal at their home, answered questions about his experience “going geothermal.”

Watch a recording of the event here. 

Thank you to those who joined us for this informative evening. Also, join us for our final Residential Learning Series, “Everything Solar,” on Tuesday, January 23! Click here for more information and to register for this free event. 

Food Rescue US – Fairfield County, Sustainable Westport, Wakeman Town Farm, and Westport Farmers Market were proud to recently sponsor a community film screening of Abundance: The Farmlink Story. This award-winning documentary short explores youth-led solutions to food insecurity and wasted food.

Post-viewing, Chef Michel Nishan, Founder of Wholesome Wave, moderated a panel conversation featuring Haley Schulman from Food Rescue US, Elaine Daignault, Westport Health and Human Service Director, Renee Giroux, Organic Horticulturalist and Manager of the NorthWest CT Regional Food Hub, and Owen Dubeck, Director of Abundance and documentary filmmaker. Panelists discussed the intersection of agriculture, food access, community involvement, and waste reduction. 

We highly recommend gathering your kids and watching Abundance together this holiday season. It is an inspiring example of how young people can spark action and generate positive change.