Dear Friends of Sustainable Westport,

As commuters head back to work after summer vacations and school drop-offs and pick-ups resume, it’s hard not to notice the recent uptick in traffic throughout Westport. The major roads in town are a mess of congestion most of the day. Traffic is not only frustrating and inconvenient but also terribly unhealthy for us and our local environment.

Did you know that the promotion of clean and convenient choices for transportation is one of the five pillars that Sustainable Westport identified as critical for the town of Westport to address to reach its goal of becoming a Net Zero community by 2050, or sooner? Sustainable Westport works to educate the community about the harmful health and environmental effects of idling, promote the adoption of emission-free EV cars and buses, and advocate for the use of public transportation and rideshare options like Wheels2U. Our transportation efforts pair nicely with Bike Westport, a new grassroots organization dedicated to making our town more bike and pedestrian-friendly. The benefits of biking and walking extend far beyond the environment; our health, both physical and mental, age-appropriate independence, and increased community are also benefits that the residents of Westport wholeheartedly endorse.

As counsel to the municipal government, Sustainable Westport recently wrote a memo of support regarding an additional increase to railroad parking fees as an opportunity to begin the conversation about developing a holistic transportation plan that supports our collective goals. The town administration, RTM, and BOE need to develop a more comprehensive transportation plan that includes a highly connected, zero pollution, zero carbon transport system, including commuter shuttles and ridesharing, as well as biking, footpaths, and pedestrian walkways.

Although our town has set a formal resolution to reach Net Zero by 2050, we lack an actionable, comprehensive plan to get there. As we look around at the increasing traffic and inability to get from Point A to Point B in Westport in a timely manner, let’s demand that our leaders seek out collaborative and innovative solutions to move us forward. 

We will continue to keep you posted on our collective progress, 

Gately Ross & Johanna Martell

Co-Directors, Sustainable Westport

Congratulations to Rizzuto’s Oyster Bar & Restaurant for being named our latest Sustainable Westport Superstar.

After years of composting at home, restaurant owner Bill Rizzuto took on the challenge of implementing a food scrap program at his business after being introduced to Sustainable Westport. With the help of Curbside Compost, Rizzutos now has four 32-gallon food scrap carts being picked up for composting once a week! Read more.

Sustainability Win: Westport Lobsterfest Introduces New Sustainable Practices: Sustainable Westport partnered with Lobsterfest organizers to implement eco-friendly event practices to help reduce waste, protect the environment, and preserve natural resources.

Sustainable Swaps: School Lunch & Snack Containers: As you prepare for the upcoming school year, consider breaking up with disposable lunch and snack containers. By switching to eco-friendly alternatives, you can actively reduce plastic waste, protect our environment, and combat climate change.

Long Lots Building Committee: Supporting Our Commitment to Becoming Net Zero by 2050: Sustainable Westport wholeheartedly supports preserving the Community Gardens and building a sustainable school to support our Town’s commitment to use best efforts to become a Net Zero community by 2050.

Veggie Garden Overflowing? Donate it! Too many cucumbers or tomatoes growing all at once in your garden? Thought the kids would eat the apples you bought? Don’t throw good food into the compost (or worse, the garbage)! Instead, drop edible produce and herbs off at one of the many produce drop-off sites in Westport.

What Do Wildfires Have To Do With Climate Change? Sustainable Westport explains why the Canadian Wildfires this summer are a direct result of climate change.