Green Decade Welcome Wagon
Beginning A Green Life in Newton

In the 1920’s Welcome Wagon "hostesses" would visit new homeowner families in their new home with a basket of small gifts and coupons from contributing businesses. These home visits continued for over 50 years until the early 1980s, but ultimately, as more women entered the workforce, no one was at home during the day to answer the door when the Welcome Wagon lady knocked.

Green Decade Welcome Wagon hopes to bring back this lovely tradition in a way that gives new homeowners a "green" start to their Newton life. A collaborative effort between the City of Newton, Green Decade Coalition, the Barry Price Center, Newton merchants, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the Newton real estate brokerage community, Green Decade Welcome Wagon welcomes new families in an innovative, environmentally friendly way by gifting new families a basket containing many of the following items:

Mini Eco Basket $25 ($90 value) Large Eco Basket $50 ($200 value)
  1. Two Energy efficient light bulbs – Last ten times longer and use one quarter of the energy of incandescent light bulbs.
  2. A Non-toxic cleaner – supplied by Global Balance a local eco-friendly company whose products are 100% biodegradable.
  3. One reusable grocery bag – made from recycled plastic bottles.
  4. An information packet on the Green Decade Coalition/Newton
  5. Energy Saver Book - provides 100 energy savings and related safety tips that help families save money by following simple instructions. Here are the areas it covers:
    • Lighting
    • Water
    • Laundry
    • Dishwashing
    • Refrigerator
    • Tips for Summer
    • Tips for Winter
    • Furnace
    • Space heater and fireplace
    • Tips for kids
    • Safety
  6. Low Flow Shower Head - This showerhead is designed for efficient water use and still delivers a high quality shower.
  7. Aerators – Reduces water use, like the low flow showerheads.
  8. Outlet Insulators – prevents cold air from entering through outlets.
  9. A note from a contact person to answer questions on energy efficiency and sustainability.
  10. A Welcome letter from the Mayor
  11. A complimentary membership to The Green Decade Coalition/Newton. ($25 value.)
  12. 10% Discount Coupon from Lumiere restaurant ($10-$20 value)
  13. Polar "Save the Planet" reusable water bottle.
  1. Energy efficient light bulbs – Last ten times longer and use one quarter of the energy of incandescent light bulbs.
  2. Non-toxic cleaning supplies – supplied by Global Balance a local eco-friendly company whose products are 100% biodegradable.
  3. Recycled paper products
  4. Two reusable grocery bags– made from recycled plastic bottles.
  5. An information packet on the Green Decade Coalition/Newton
  6. Energy Saver Book - provides 100 energy savings and related safety tips that help families save money by following simple instructions. Here are the areas it covers:
    • Lighting
    • Water
    • Laundry
    • Dishwashing
    • Refrigerator
    • Tips for Summer
    • Tips for Winter
    • Furnace
    • Space heater and fireplace
    • Tips for kids
    • Safety
  7. Low Flow Shower Head - This showerhead is designed for efficient water use and still delivers a high quality shower.
  8. Aerator – Reduces water use, like the low flow showerheads.
  9. Power Strip
  10. Weather Sealing Putty (Mortite)
  11. Outlet Insulators – prevents cold air from entering through outlets.
  12. A note from a contact person to answer questions on energy efficiency and sustainability
  13. A welcome letter from the Mayor
  14. A complimentary membership to The Green Decade Coalition/Newton ($25 value)
  15. Free green design consultationfrom Whitney Interiors ($75 value)
  16. Organic wine
  17. 10% Discount Coupon from Lumiere restaurant ($10-$20 value)
  18. Polar "Save the Planet" reusable water bottle
  19. Organic lemongrass hand soap

Green Decade Welcome Wagon arose as a response to two daunting trends:

  • Energy consumption in Newton continues to rise every year in spite of widespread publicity about global warming.
  • Energy prices jumped 20% this year and show no signs of abating.

In spite of a sincere desire to reduce their energy consumption and follow green practices, many people just need a bit of help getting started. Green Decade Welcome Wagon is an attempt to address this need by giving new residents a kit to speed them on their way to reduced energy consumption and to a greener, more eco-friendly life.

You can order a eco basket on-line for yourself or a friend.

For more information 617-965-1995 or email: ecobasket@greendecade.org.