70 NJ Municipalities Achieve Sustainability Certification

Sustainable Jersey is nearly at 80% participation mark and making a significant impact at the local level

Sustainable Jersey announced today the 70 municipalities, from 17 New Jersey counties, that achieved the prestigious Sustainable Jersey certification in 2017. Sustainable Jersey has almost hit the eighty percent participation mark this year with 445 of New Jersey’s 565 towns engaged in the municipal certification program.

“Sustainable Jersey is proud of the 70 New Jersey towns that achieved certification this year,” said Randy Solomon, director of Sustainable Jersey. “Collectively, the Sustainable Jersey towns are a powerful force in New Jersey. The 208 Sustainable Jersey certified municipalities demonstrate leadership and are a testament to how much we can accomplish toward the long-term goal of a sustainable New Jersey.” Certified towns excelled in areas such as improving energy efficiency and health and wellness, reducing waste, sustaining local economies, protecting natural resources and advancing the arts.

In the 2017 application cycle, fourteen municipalities achieved certification at the more advanced silver-level: Cape May City, Cherry Hill Township, Denville Township, Gloucester Township, Hillsborough Township, Hoboken City, Jersey City, Morristown Town, Mountain Lakes Borough, Princeton, Ridgewood Village, Summit City, Warren Township and Woodbridge Township (see below). Each municipality that is certified at the bronze-level must submit documentation to show it has completed a balance of the program’s sustainability actions, meeting a minimum of 150 points. Silver-level certification requires that a town meet a minimum of 350 points.

Sustainable Jersey provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability initiatives. The program culminates in a certification award to municipalities and schools that have documented meeting a set of standards. Sustainable Jersey participants have successfully implemented and documented over 7,000 sustainability actions. Over $4.2 million in grants have been provided by Sustainable Jersey to towns, school districts and schools for community-based projects that create healthy and sustainable communities in New Jersey.

Sustainable Jersey will celebrate the certified and participating municipalities at its Annual Sustainable Jersey Awards Luncheon held on the first day of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities (NJLM) Conference on November 14, 2017. The luncheon brings together nearly 400 local and regional government officials, green team members, industry professionals and sustainability leaders. The program will celebrate sustainability excellence, innovation and leadership in New Jersey. The event is open to the public, register: http://bit.ly/2017AnnualLuncheon.

2017 SUSTAINABLE JERSEY CERTIFIED MUNICIPALITIES (alphabetical by county)