Wilton Go Green Kicks Off No-Idling Week on Nov. 16

This summer, the Town of Wilton showed its strong support of Connecticut’s state law prohibiting unnecessary idling by adopting a town-wide No-Idling Resolution. Proposed by Wilton Go Green (WGG) and unanimously supported by the Board of Selectmen, the new policy will help make our air cleaner, reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change, and save money and fuel.

On November 16th, WGG will kick off No-Idling Week. Look for green and white no idling signs prominently posted around town, instructing drivers to turn off their engines (except while sitting in traffic or in extreme temperatures). While signs will not appear in every parking and drive-up location, the no-idling resolution is a town-wide mandate.

Students at each of Wilton’s schools will participate in special activities throughout the week, learning about idling and climate change, making posters to help get the word out, and patrolling the pick-up lines at to remind parents to turn off their cars’ engines while waiting for their children to be dismissed. In conjunction with Sustainable America, a newly initiated online pledge drive allows residents to commit to reducing their idling behaviors.

In celebration of No-Idling Week, Wilton Go Green and the Wilton Library will co-host a special screening of the documentary, Idle Threat: Man on Emissions on November 17th from 7:00-8:30pm. A panel discussion will follow the film led by Katrina Kazda, Director of Programs, Sustainable America. Other panelists include Mary Channing, Transportation Coordinator, Wilton Public Schools; Barry Bogle, Director of Health, Town of Wilton; Walter Barozi, Bureau of Air Management, CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; and Alex Scaperotta, Wilton High School senior, WGG board member, a key initiator of the no-idling program.

According to the environmental nonprofit, Sustainable America, Wilton’s no-idling program is one of the broadest they have encountered—and the only one of its kind in the state of Connecticut.

Those not familiar with the tremendous toll idling takes on our air quality may wonder what all the fuss is about. After all, we’ve all idled from time to time, picking up children at school, waiting for a take-out order, sitting in line at the bank drive-up window or outdoor post box, even warming up the car before heading off to work on a chilly morning. So, what’s the problem with idling? It turns out, lots.

The emissions created by idling vehicles can have a direct effect on the health of adults and children who inhale the often-invisible exhaust. Increases in asthma, allergies, heart and lung disease, and cancer have all been linked to idling, and breathing exhaust fumes can damage brain cells and may contribute to autism. Children are particularly vulnerable because they breathe 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than adults. Connecticut has the highest mortality rate from lung diseases in the country, and Fairfield County received a D to F grade for air quality. Idling harms the planet as well, spewing toxins, chemicals and carbon dioxide (a noxious greenhouse gas) that contribute to haze, acid rain and global warming. In fact, an idling vehicle emits 20 times more pollution into the air than one traveling at 30 miles per hour.

Idling also hits our wallets -- and hard. Americans spend a whopping $13 million every day on 12 million gallons of fuel wasted idling. Most cars need only 30 seconds to warm up, even in the winter, and leaving a vehicle running causes more wear and tear on its engine than turning it off and on again. The amount of fuel used to turn an engine on and off is equivalent to that used while idling a mere 10 seconds, and, contrary to popular belief, causes virtually no wear and tear on a car’s starter.

The Wilton School District, Wilton WMCA, and Wilton Library—along with many other businesses and organizations in town—have already pledged their support of the policy. Join them in keeping Wilton’s air clear by taking the No-Idling Pledge (iturnitoff.com/wilton/#public)

Remember: As Little People Big Changes—a Wilton organization of kids committed to reducing idling behavior—says, “If you’re stopped for more than ten, turn it off and on again!”