Greenwich Sustainability Committee

07/20/2026

SMART BINS MAKE COMPOSTING EASIER IN GREENWICH

Recycling your food scraps just got even easier –– and smarter! Thanks to a partnership between the Conservation Commission and Waste Free Greenwich new app-accessible smart bins are now available at Binney Park and Cos Cob Park. This addition gives residents a convenient, 24/7 way to turn food waste into soil-enriching compost.

The new smart bins come courtesy of a competitive state grant. Over 20 applications were submitted and Greenwich was one of only nine applicants to receive an award.

The new bins build on the success of Greenwich’s Scraps to Soil program. Food scraps make up the largest part of the town’s waste stream, so keeping them out of the trash reduces pollution and greenhouse gases, and turns valuable organic material into nutrient-rich compost. Since the program launched in June 2020, Greenwich residents have diverted about 390 tons of food waste — preventing an estimated 1,420 metric tons of greenhouse-gas emissions, the equivalent of avoiding about 3.6 million miles of driving.

Julie DesChamps, founder of Waste Free Greenwich, notes, “The new app-enabled technology means residents will be able to dispose of their food scraps whenever it’s convenient for them, instead of being restricted to when town facilities are open. Given the enthusiastic response since we began Waste Free Greenwich, and the demand to expand the smart bins to other neighborhoods, we’re confident in this latest program’s success and excited about future growth.”

Ready to turn your scraps into soil? For program details, to download the app, or to find out when the team will be onsite to walk you through the new smart bins, visit Waste Free Greenwich’s Scraps to Soil web page: wastefreegreenwich.org/compost

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07/08/2026

Meet our awesome summer EcoPath interns, Annie Murphy (left) and Taylor Fochs (right)! 🌿

They've officially settled in, and we couldn't be happier to have them on the GLT team. Whether they're out in the field helping steward our preserves or back at Mueller Preserve lending a hand around the office, Annie and Taylor have brought enthusiasm, curiosity, and plenty of positive energy to everything they do.

This summer, they'll gain firsthand experience in land conservation, stewardship, and the many moving parts that keep a land trust thriving. We hope they leave with new skills, lasting memories, and an even deeper appreciation for protecting the natural world.

We certainly lucked out with these two, so if you happen to see them out on a preserve this summer, don't hesitate to say hello (or give them a well-deserved high five!). 👋💚

07/07/2026

In June, Sustainable CT Fellow, Natalia Altimari provided assistance to the Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG) team at their annual Regional Household Hazardous Waste collection day!

These opportunities are coordinated through NHCOG and allow residents of member towns to discard of their hazardous waste at a centralized location and at no cost!

07/07/2026

🎆🎉Happy 250th Birthday, America!

Today we celebrate 250 years of history, community, resilience, and the landscapes that connect us all — from forests to coastlines, meadows, and all the open spaces that help define this country’s natural beauty.

At Greenwich Land Trust, we’re grateful to play a small role in protecting the places that bring people together, inspire future generations, and remind us of the importance of stewardship and conservation.

Wishing everyone a safe, joyful, and meaningful Fourth of July filled with family, friends, fresh air, and perhaps a little time spent outdoors. ❤️🤍💙

07/07/2026

It's CHARD to believe, but we're less than a month away from the most unBEETable self-guided garden crawl in town! 🥕🌿

Join us for Tour de Veggie on Thursday, July 30, from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, and explore some of Greenwich's most beautiful and inspiring vegetable gardens. Tickets are on sale now and start at just $50—grab yours today through the link in our bio!

While you're at it, LETTUCE give a huge thank you to our Grand Garlic Sponsor, Hoffman Landscapes for their longtime support of Greenwich Land Trust. Their passion for creating extraordinary outdoor spaces helps make events like Tour de Veggie possible, and we're so grateful to have them as part of our community.

If you're dreaming of transforming your own landscape (or maybe even adding a veggie garden!) be sure to check them out - you'll be in very good hands!

07/07/2026

I know we need the rain, but what happens to water quality when we get an intense rainstorm like we're experiencing now? While flooding is a real risk, we should also be concerned about how storm events can worsen water quality. Stormwater runs off the land, carrying pollutants like fertilizers, sediments, bacteria, toxic chemicals like pesticides, and trash into our rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and Long Island Sound. Sources can include lawns, roads, parking lots, construction sites, roofs and farms. These pollutants contribute to what we call nonpoint source pollution, which is difficult to address because the sources are diffuse and numerous, unlike point source pollution, which can originate from an industrial plant discharge pipe. What can we do to be better stewards and protect our local water resources? Check out our backyard water resources guide at https://www.conservect.org/ctrivercoastal/resources/ for some simple, safe and environmentally sound practices for lawn and landscape care, septic system maintenance, hazardous household product use, erosion prevention and stormwater runoff control!
(image credit: NC Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources)

07/06/2026

07/06/2026

Soil matters, and so does the work being done across Southern New England.

Attend the Soil and Water Conservation Society’s 2026 Conference on July 30 at UConn in Storrs for a full day of presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on learning. Hear from UConn Extension’s Dr. Amelia Magistrali and other experts, and explore the George Leigh Minor Plant and Soil Health Center.

Register today: https://snec2026.eventbrite.com