Waste Free Greenwich’s ReThink Waste Fair drew a crowd to the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich on Saturday.
Welcoming guests to the ReThink Waste Fair – Meslissa Grieco, Julie DesCamps, Heidi Matonis and Beata Popis-Matejak at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. April 18, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Myra Klockenbrink at a pollinator pathway display with Sustainability Committee co-chair Janet Stone McGuigan at the ReThink Waste Fair at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. April 18, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Among the exhibitors was Greenwich High School Senior Mariam Fahini, who shared her knowledge of composting and its benefits.
Mariam, who is one of the founders of the Greenwich Composting Project, said the group works with 18 of her neighbors whose kitchen scraps are collected every Friday.
The composting process starts with food scraps being mixed with shredded newspaper. The the process includes a heat treatment to keep the compost free of invasive pests. Finally, the compost is bagged for sale or distribution to participants.
Mariam Fahini talked about composting at the ReThink Waste Fair at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. April 18, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Waste Free Greenwich founder Julie DesChamps with Mariam Fahini at the ReThink Waste Fair at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. April 18, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Mariam Fahini’s exhibit at the ReThink Waste Fair at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. April 18, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Meg Hadley Zimmerman at the “mending table” talked about slow fashion.April 18, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Meg Hadley Zimmerman organized a “mending table” where she talked about “slow fashion.”
According to Zimmerman, the most sustainable clothing item is the one you already have. Take care of your clothes so they last, she advises: wash gently, air dry, learn to mend and support your local tailor!
Zimmerman said if you do shop, shop secondhand and if you do need to buy something new consider whether it will hold up over time and ask ourself if it’s made from sustainable fabric. Lastly, she says if ou’ really need to say goodbye to a garment, give it to someone you know, repurpose it, sell it or donate it.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the Greenwich Sustainability Committee’s 2026 Sustainability Awards in conjunction with the Town’s Earth Day Proclamation.
This year’s sustainability award recipients:
The Greenwich Book Swap.
The Rummage Room.
The Greenwich Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop.
Chase Tucker, Rye Country Day School student leader and scientist.
Chase Karson, Owen Kwan and Mark Zolotarevsky, Greenwich High School students and founding members of the Greenwich Eco Alliance, a 501-c-3 that has raised money to plant trees at Binney Park.
Noah Chass, Miriam Fahimi and Addison Towle, teen entrepreneurs and founders of the Greenwich Composting Project.
Sue Baker and Andrew Brumante, outstanding Greenwich High School science teachers and inspiring mentors to countless Greenwich students.
The fair included an Eco-Marketplace with curated low-waste products, upcycled accessories, and sustainable cleaning and beauty essentials. In addition there were hands-on children’s activities, composting demos, and mini-workshops on living waste-free.
Vendors included:
EcoEvolution: South Norwalk favorite that features vintage finds, upcycled gifts and low/no waste solutions for your home.
ObiObi Japan: handmade bags, jewelry and home decor crafted from repurposed Japanese kimonos & obi belts by a talented Greenwich volunteer group. 100% of proceeds donated to Waste Free Greenwich.
Reboot Eco: zero waste & refill shop based in Middletown offering curated non-toxic home and personal care products that make low-waste living practical and accessible
The Dogs of Greenwich: sustainable, high quality dog toys made from discarded fabrics right in Old Greenwich.
beads4better: handcrafted jewelry created from upcycled beads & materials from predominately women-owned businesses from around the globe. 100% of proceeds donated to Waste Free Greenwich.
Maggie Clayton talked to the crowd about “Conscious Consumers, Substitutions & Waste” at the ReThink Waste Fair at the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich. April 18, 2026
The Greenwich Sustainability Committee promotes community dialogue with Town department heads and other boards, as well as with the Greenwich delegation.
To expand its reach, the committee produces a popular bi-monthly newsletter and regularly provides guest speakers to local radio station WGCH 1490am.
The Greenwich Sustainability Committee hosts an annual strategic retreat, and as a result of its July 2025 retreat, along with the Town and several local partner organizations, has launched a Town-wide invasive species awareness campaign: Nix Problem Plants.
The public is invited to join the committee’s monthly meetings, typically the first Thursday of the month from 11:00 to 12:30pm, in person when the Town Hall Meeting Room is available – and always by Zoom. The Zoom link can be found on the Town’s calendar.
For more information about the GSC, please go to https://www.greenwichct.gov/