Sustainable Jersey Announces a Major Program Refresh Effort
After more than a decade of steady growth and success, Sustainable Jersey is embarking on a year-long refresh of its certification program to ensure it remains cutting-edge, impactful, and responsive to the needs of New Jersey’s municipalities. During 2026, Sustainable Jersey will pause its annual certification cycle to focus on rebuilding its website, updating and streamlining actions, and make enhancements to the overall certification. This strategic pause builds on the insights gathered through Sustainable Jersey’s 10th anniversary listening sessions and feedback from participating communities. The refresh will include opportunities for municipalities, partners, and stakeholders to share input. The next generation of Sustainable Jersey will be more streamlined, focused on high-impact actions, and designed to better showcase and support municipal sustainability efforts across the state. The new website is scheduled for launch in Fall 2026 with the annual certification cycle process returning in 2027. In 2027, a similar effort to refresh the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program will begin.
Coming Attractions
The new revitalized, user-friendly platform and certification process will reflect the evolving challenges and opportunities of sustainability leadership in New Jersey’s communities.
- Updated program actions
- A new Gold level of certification
- More use-friendly website interfaces
- New website search features
How Does this Impact Your Municipality’s Certification?
- Sustainable Jersey will not be reviewing municipal certification applications in 2026.
- Municipalities with certifications expiring in 2026 will be extended to 12/31/2027.
- All approved actions in every certification application with expiration dates in 2026 will be extended to 12/31/2027.
- The lookback period for documentation will be extended. For example, if the action requires the documentation to be from the current or previous year, in 2027 documentation from 2025, 2026 or 2027 will be accepted.
- The current website will be active and municipal users can continue to update their applications.
- All current and past information related to municipal certifications and supporting documentation will be migrated to the new website.
Sustainable Jersey’s grant cycles, technical assistance opportunities, and events including the Sustainability Summit and the Annual Luncheon will continue throughout 2026.
Learn More and Provide Input