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Sustainable Jersey Certification Report

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This is the Sustainable Jersey Certification Report of Middlesex Boro, a Sustainable Jersey bronze certified applicant.

Middlesex Boro was certified on September 24, 2025 with 245 points. Listed below is information regarding Middlesex Boro’s Sustainable Jersey efforts and materials associated with the applicant’s certified actions.

Contact Information

The designated Sustainable Jersey contact for Middlesex Boro is:

Name:Clare Levourne
Title/Position:Green Team Chair / Middlesex Borough
Address:1200 Mountain Avenue
Middlesex, NJ 08846
Phone:7328094161

Actions Implemented

Each approved action and supporting documentation for which Middlesex Boro was approved for in 2025 appears below. Note: Standards for the actions below may have changed and the documentation listed may no longer satisfy requirements for that action.

  • Arts & Creative Culture

    Establish a Creative Team

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Middlesex Borough Environmental Commission's Green Team formed a Creative Team as a sub-committee by partnering with the Middlesex Borough Culture & Arts Committee and Middlesex Borough Film Commission. Representatives from all 3 groups met May 8, 2025, at the Culture & Arts Committee's monthly meeting to discuss establishing a Creative Team.  The Middlesex Borough Environmental Commission established the Creative Team during their June 23, 2025, monthly meeting (see 6.23.25 MBEC Minutes document - page 2) where the purpose and mission of the Creative Team was written and the charter members listed (see attached Middlesex Borough Creative team document). These people have diverse backgrounds, expertise, and interests. They are active and involved community leaders who relish collaboration. Other groups that have expressed interest in working with the Creative Team include the Middlesex Public Library, the Friends of Middlesex Library, the Recreation Department, and Senior & Disabled Services. The Creative Team serves all ages and demographics in Middlesex Borough. All of these groups have worked in various partnerships in this past year on numerous creative local events in our little borough, including: monthly environment-themed Movies for Families (see Green Team Movie poster in uploaded documents); monthly Open Mic Nights for performers (see Open Mic Night uploaded document) in the Library Community Room or on the Library lawn; Piano, Guitar, Flute, and Vocal Concerts, and a series of Jazz Concerts in the Community Room; Zoom art classes including Acrylic Paint, Macrame, Watercolor, and Zentangles; a historical reenactor presented a WWII Women's Air Service Pilot (WASP); weekly Line Dancing  at the Senior Center and in the Library Community Room; monthly Memoir Writers Group meetings at the Library; a Taylor Swift afterhours Dance Party & Crafts (twice at the Library); Birdfeeders from Recycled Materials (done at the Environmental Commission's table at the borough Winter Festival and as a Take & Make craft kit from the Library); Finger-knitting, LEGOs for Seniors, and Quilling classes at the Library; a children's Author Talk & Puppet Show; a Color & Flower Festival for everyone on May 18th at local Shimchock Park (inspired by the Indian Festival of Holi), a Zoom class on Brush Lettering; a Poster Contest "The Benefits of Trees" (see uploaded 2025 Poster Contest document) for school-aged children (with the Green Team partnering with the Middlesex Public Library and the Public Schools with entries displayed in the Library and judged by local artist Ted Ferfecki, prizes donated by local businesses); a recycling Craft Swap (see uploaded Craft Swap document) of unused & unwanted craft supplies (crafters dropped stuff off at Middlesex Library leading up to the event, leftovers were donated to the Girl Scouts & Senior Center) in the library Community Room; a Summer Movie Series for adults and also one for kids at the Library; Upcoming events the Creative Team will collaborate on include: Cartooning Lessons for kids on August 5th at the Library; an Ethnic Foods Festival (under the Borough's brand new 20' by 60' tent first used on May 3rd for a Borough Volunteer Fair where the Environmental Commission manned a table); a historical reenactor presenting famous photographer Margaret Bourke-White in the Community Room (her childhood home in Middlesex Borough is on the National Register of Historic Places); and many more Guitar, Piano, Vocal and Holiday Concerts. A historically significant statue of Abraham Lincoln stands in a small park in a neglected corner of our borough, and Borough Council and the Parks Improvement Committee plan to redevelop the area and highlight the statue with input from the Environmental Commission, Green Team, and Creative Team. The Creative Team will study, support, and endeavor to expand the creative and cultural assets and events in our borough, including those that are listed above.

  • Community Partnership & Outreach

    Green Team

    10 Points
    Bronze Required Silver Required

    Program Summary: On March 26th, 2024 eight members of our community were appointed to the Environmental Commission by the Mayor and Council after a 17-year span of inactivity. This dedicated and diverse group of individuals stepped forward to work with the administration and the residents of Middlesex. Many of them hold their own expertise in the field of environmental and conservation affairs. Their duties include: preservation and enhancement of the quality of Middlesex’s environment and natural resources, promoting sustainable energy initiatives, conservation and educational awareness, researching proper use of open space and developing a green team with community partnerships. The Commission will hold many annual events such as Earth Day celebrations, tree giveaways, clean-up projects, educational seminars and much more. They hope to encourage the citizens to incorporate environmentally responsible practices into their homes, properties and daily lives. They strive to protect and improve the quality of life in our town and surrounding area with citizen support and volunteer participation. In October, 2024 we formed a Green Team subcommittee to focus on Sustainable Jersey actions and initiatives.

    Community Education & Outreach

    15 Points

    Program Summary: We hosted a three-part video series presented by Homegrown National Park, focused on restoring biodiversity on private properties. The videos were shown on three consecutive Mondays in the Community Room at the library. Attendees received multiple handouts that covered topics such as native plants, keystone species, and the significance of biodiversity. After each video screening, we engaged in discussions about various topics, emphasizing the importance of native plants for maintaining biodiversity and supporting a healthy ecosystem. Attendance ranged from three to four participants at each viewing. Clare Levourne and Holly Muller facilitated the discussions, addressing questions about native plants and the negative impacts of invasive species. Additionally, we highlighted the importance of oak trees, noting the diversity of insects that rely on them, as well as the crucial role these insects play in the food chain. We organized an Earth Day clean-up at Victor Crowell Park. We discussed ways to reduce plastic use, the dangers of microplastics, and ideas for an anti-litter campaign. We have articles in the Fall 2024 Borough Newsletter that cover the Importance of Trees & Leave the Leaves. We also had an article announcing in the Winter 2024 newsletter about the newly formed Green Team and our participation in Sustainable Jersey. The Newsletter is sent to residents that signed up for electronic delivery. Hard copies are available at Boro Hall, the senior center and the library.

  • Energy

    Energy Tracking & Management

    20 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: In collaboration with the Sustainable NJ Technical Energy Assistance team, we created a building portfolio that includes information such as the date of construction, square footage, and occupancy for each building. We analyzed monthly electric and gas bills to develop an energy tracking spreadsheet. This analysis revealed the buildings with the highest energy consumption, which we will monitor closely: the Department of Public Works (DPW) garage, Rescue Squad Building and Recreation Center, Borough Hall, Police Department, Library, Beechwood Heights Fire Company No. 2, and the VCP Annex. With the support of the Technical Energy Assistance team, Middlesex now has an Energy Star Portfolio Manager account to track energy usage for these seven buildings. Statement of Energy Performance (SEP) reports were generated for each building based on the collected data. We plan to use this information to pursue upgrades that will help the municipality become more energy efficient. We plan to develop a spreadsheet with usage data to update the ESPM annually, with support from the SJ team. Energy Tracking & Management documents attached: 1) Usage Data 2) Statement of Energy Performance Report 3) Building Portfolio

  • Food

    Community Food Pantry/Bank & Soup Kitchen

    15 Points

    Program Summary: Our little borough of Middlesex has numerous ways we are reducing food insecurity for our residents including free food; food and meals at very low prices; food vouchers; transportation to meals, grocery stores and the farmers market; and food delivery. The Middlesex Borough Department of Senior & Disabled Services (https://www.middlesexboro-nj.gov/senior-disabled-services scroll down to +Additional Services and +Transportation) has a home-delivered nutrition program (Meals on Wheels) that delivers meals to homebound and medically needy residents who have difficulty getting food or preparing meals and receive no regular assistance from family or an aide. Accommodation is made for those who cannot pay the $2.75 per meal. Our Senior & Disabled Services also provide House Calls for Groceries; a volunteer-based program to assist Middlesex Borough seniors. Residents who live alone with no way to grocery shop are matched with a volunteer shopper. The resident provides their grocery list, any coupons, and the grocery money. The volunteer picks up the list at an agreed upon time, fills the order, and can help with putting the groceries away as well. Grocery transportation is also available from Senior & Disabled Services every other Tuesday at 9 AM and 1 PM to Shoprite. The last Tuesday of the month, they go to Walmart instead. Those who need assistance may bring an aide with them. Our Senior & Disabled Services provides transportation for residents to the Middlesex (year-around) Route 28 Farmers Market to increase access to healthy food options. Need-based $40 vouchers are available from Middlesex County. The Senior Center hosts a free, well-attended, monthly Veterans' Breakfast buffet catered by local restaurants. Information about these programs is published in the Senior Messenger Newsletter on the Borough website (link above), and mailed and emailed to those who sign up to receive it. The Library hosted a very popular Pastries and Puzzles with the Police event, where local restaurants and grocery stores donated a lavish buffet of brunch items served in the Community Room to local seniors and police officers, who chatted together, and worked on jigsaw puzzles if they wished to, all morning long (and filled takeout containers of leftover food to take with them!). It is expected to become a regular event. The BPO Elks Lodge #1488 in our borough operates a weekly food pantry in their building called Paul's Pantry (see uploaded Paul's Pantry weekly Facebook post document) that offers food including fresh produce (also diapers and personal care items). Paul's Pantry is advertised on social media and flyers around the area, directed by Christine DiMaggio, and staffed by volunteers including a number of bilingual high school students from nearby Middlesex High School (volunteering at the food pantry is a high school Key Club activity). There is a donation bin for Paul's Pantry in the foyer of Middlesex Public Library and a library employee delivers the contents plus free children's books to the Elks whenever the bin is full. Paul's Pantry currently serves about 40 families. The Elks (see uploaded (Elks Weekly Dinners document) and Middlesex Borough American Legion John W Lupu Memorial Post 306, located next to the Public Library and Senior Center, serve weekly (Fridays and Wednesdays) handicapped-accessible low-cost meals to anyone who wishes to dine there or request takeout. A Middlesex Borough Girl Scout troop installed a Mini Pantry (a concept similar to Little Free Libraries) on the curb between the library and the senior center many years ago. It is maintained by borough employees now and used daily by donors and recipients. Some families make it a custom to bring nonperishable food to put in the Mini Pantry when they bring their children to the library. The Girl Scouts installed a Self Care Pantry adjacent to the Mini Pantry last month here in the heart of our borough. Less than a mile from Middlesex Borough in the adjacent town of Dunellen, the First Presbyterian Church houses a Community Food Pantry that serves our borough too (see uploaded Dunellen Food document). FISH, Inc. (Friends in Service Here) of Dunellen (now located in Piscataway a mile and a half from Middlesex Borough) has served Middlesex Borough, Dunellen and Piscataway since 1969 (https://www.fishdunellenarea.org/). Their food room provides free food by appointment, including fresh meat, produce, breads, and dairy, which is so important in giving healthy options to recipients. Middlesex Borough Senior & Disabled Services can provide transportation to FISH when needed. FISH also has twice-monthly free meals served to any individuals or families at 2 local church cafeterias. Middlesex Borough conducts food drives at times of increased need, especially around the holidays (see uploaded MDSX and Replenish document). Middlesex Borough Police take the lead and scout troops assist. Flyers are distributed. Signs & social media posts abound. The electronic sign in front of Boro Hall flashes out the info. Curbside pickup is coordinated with volunteers. Numerous collection bins are placed at Boro Hall, the Public Library, the Police Station, the Recreation & Senior Center, grocery stores, and local businesses (see uploaded MBPD Food Drive document). During Middlesex Borough flooding events, extended power outages, and other emergencies, the Middlesex Borough Office of Emergency Management distributes MREs and bottled water from behind Boro Hall and other locations.  The Middlesex Borough Office of Emergency Management, American Red Cross, and Middlesex Public Library hosted a Multi-Agency Resource Center in the Library Community Room on July 28 & 29, 2025, from 2 to 8 pm for people who were affected by the extreme flooding event on July 14th, including providing food and assistance to folks enduring food insecurity as a result.

  • Innovative Projects

    Innovative Community Project 1

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Army Corps of Engineers Green Brook Flood control program was regaining momentum in town. Finding out that they’ve removed over 35 acres of trees, I thought Middlesex should have a Tree Planting program. I discovered Green Columbus on social media and how they successfully give away 3000 trees each year! I developed a similar plan and after re-establishing the Environmental Commission I was able to implement it. A tree nursery was created on a vacant borough-owned property where we grew 300 tree saplings from April until October. We then gave away the trees to residents to plant in their yards. The left over trees were planted on the borough property next to the nursery to help restore that area.

  • Land Use & Transportation

    Green Infrastructure Implementation

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Project 1) During the COVID pandemic, regional flooding destroyed the Community Room at the Middlesex (Borough) Public Library, closing it for months for floor replacement and wall repairs, etc. In 2024, the Rutgers Water Resources Program offered Middlesex Borough a demonstration rain garden (see attached RU Rain Garden Plan) to be installed at the public library to divert rainwater that flows from the Borough Hall parking lot toward that adjacent library Community Room, and the Borough Council accepted. For a week, Middlesex Borough DPW excavated and graded the site (see details in the plans) right outside the library children's room with heavy equipment and dump trucks, thrilling the children inside! Rutgers provided expertise, shovels, and 178 native New Jersey plants and shrubs for the garden(see Planting Schedule in the plans). On September 28, 2024, the Demonstration Rain Garden was planted by the Middlesex Borough Environmental Commissioners and volunteers. The adjacent parking lot at Middlesex Borough Hall now drains into the new rain garden by the library, rather than into a storm drain. The Rain Garden has been monitored and maintained ever since (see attached monthly Maintenance Schedule). The chores in the schedule include: pick up litter, check for damage, weed, give tours (see attached Girl Scout Rain Garden Tour photo), and more. There is rarely litter; there is sometimes minor deer browsing; the most common weed removed is Japanese hops. The volunteers who maintain the garden include RU Environmental Steward Clare Levourne, Library employee and RU Master Gardener Holly Muller, Environmental Commissioner Greg Cosentino, DPW workers including Leonard Vidal, and others. The 3 large windows in the library children's room look into the Demonstration Rain Garden, and kids and their families can follow the seasons in the garden, and watch the red foxes that come by. Signage was added in May this year (see Rain Garden May 25), including bamboo stakes that identify some of the perimeter plants. The Rain Garden has been featured on the Middlesex Borough website, and GoGreenMiddlesex social media. The recent Middlesex Borough Volunteer Fair on May 3rd was held under a huge tent adjacent to the Rain Garden. The Environmental Commission manned a table there and featured the Rain Garden with rain garden brochures, tours and plant information offered to attendees. The New Jersey drought in 2024-25 made a resilient landscape like a rain garden all the more important. Project 2) With guidance from AmeriCorps NJ SWP Central (Watershed) Ambassador Sheyla Casco, two volunteers installed (see attached Library Rain Barrel Installed photo) a donated rain barrel at the public library in Middlesex Borough on February 11, 2025. Sheyla provided the mosquito-exclusion mesh. The municipality provided the downspout, diverter, patio block base, and necessary hardware. The Demonstration Rain Barrel is right next to the library parking lot, and highly visible to library visitors. The rainwater collected is used to water the foundation plantings at the library. The Demonstration Rain Barrel was a working example for the Rain Barrel Workshop that Sheyla held at the library for borough residents on June 21st (see attached Rain Barrel Workshop photo). Photos of the Rain Barrel Workshop are on the Middlesex Borough's website (https://www.middlesexboro-nj.gov/environmental-commission & scroll down)  Both projects demonstrate how to mitigate the effects of climate-change exacerbated stormwater flooding and drought. Both projects are working examples of environmental stewardship and sustainability that can be adapted by Middlesex Borough residents and other municipalities.

  • Local Economies

    Support Local Businesses

    10 Points

    Program Summary: In March 2025, the Middlesex Borough Green Team partnered with Lilian Mauro, Regional Director of the New Jersey Small Business Development Center at The College of New Jersey, and Lina Gomez Osorio, Lender Relations Specialist at the US Small Business Administration New Jersey District Office (see SBA & SBDCNJ Contacts doc), to host a 3-hour seminar on Business Resources for Manufacturers for local businesses at Middlesex Public Library on June 5, 2025. The seminar is limited to 50 attendees. Dun & Bradstreet lists 40 small manufacturers in our little borough, from Dynaflow making centrifugal pumps ($.69 million in annual sales) to Koba Corp doing plastic injection molding ($5+ million in annual sales). This action can benefit these 40 local businesses, as well as others in neighboring towns. Lilian and Lina provided an event flyer, bilingual (English & Spanish) brochures, and other materials to be distributed in the 2 months before the seminar (see the last 3 uploaded documents). The event flyer (see Small Business Event uploaded document) with a scannable QR code has been and will be advertised on social media in many places, including You Know You’re From Middlesex, NJ if…, sent out on the Constant Contact lists of the Middlesex Public Library and Friends of the Middlesex Library, posted on the Borough website, at local businesses, and placed in standees at the library. The event presenters are excited about hosting it here in Middlesex Borough at the library on a regular basis, as the location in the Middlesex Library Community Room is ideal: a newly renovated seminar space, proximity to local manufacturers, ease of travel and parking, and a handicapped-accessible venue. Middlesex Borough wants our local manufacturers to be successful and feel welcome, appreciated, and important as members of our local business community. (see uploaded Qualitative Assessment document)

  • Natural Resources

    Environmental Commission

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Middlesex Borough Environmental Commission Congratulations to the newly appointed volunteers of our revived Environmental Commission! On March 26th, eight members of our community were appointed by the Mayor and Council after a 17-year span of inactivity. This dedicated and diverse group of individuals stepped forward to work with the administration and the residents of Middlesex. Many of them hold their own expertise in the field of environmental and conservation affairs. Their duties include: preservation and enhancement of the quality of Middlesex’s environment and natural resources, promoting sustainable energy initiatives, conservation and educational awareness, researching proper use of open space and developing a green team with community partnerships. The Commission will hold many annual events such as Earth Day celebrations, tree giveaways, clean-up projects, educational seminars and much more. They hope to encourage the citizens to incorporate environmentally responsible practices into their homes, properties and daily lives. They strive to protect and improve the quality of life in our town and surrounding area with citizen support and volunteer participation. Meetings are open to the public and will be held on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm at the Middlesex Public Library’s Community Room.

    Environmental Commission Site Plan Review

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Since the Environmental Commission was re-established in April 2024; we have reviewed 4 plans from the Joint Land Use Board.

    Winter Best Practices to Reduce Road Salt Impacts

    15 Points

    Program Summary: Participated in the NJ Salt Watch Study, sampling 3 streams in town over 3 months. Submitted data and presented results to the Environmental Commission. Met with town's DPW supervisor to review department's policy in anti-icing vs. de-icing. Reviewed staff training in road salt application and snow removal safety. Attached are the results of the 3 samples taken as part of the NJ Salt Watch Study. MBEC February 2025 Agenda with Presentation of results from Road Salt Study. Contact info: LEONARD Vidal Superintendent CPWM Phone: 732.968.1603 | 732.356.7400 extension 296 Email: Lvidal@Middlesexboro-nj.gov

    Community Forestry Management Plan & NJUCF Accreditation

    20 Points

    Program Summary: Attached most current Community Forestry Management Plan was told this was extended because of COVID. The plan expires in 2026. Tree Inventory out for bids in 2025. Attached updated document 2024 Accreditation updated 3/31/25 as requested.

    Tree Planting *New 2026*

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Using leftover trees from our Tree Giveaway, we partnered with our Watershed Ambassador, Sheyla Casco, to plant 100 trees in a declining wooded area adjacent to the Tree Nursery, with the goal of restoring the area. This event took place on November 23, 2024. We hope to repeat this effort annually.

  • Waste Management

    Prescription Drug Safety & Disposal

    10 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The Middlesex Borough Police Department currently participates in the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back initiative. Two times a year, the last Saturdays of April and October, we hold the event at our Police Department from 10am-2pm. The promotional and educational information is provide to the department by the DEA. The unused medications are collected in boxes that are also provided by the DEA. We do not keep a record or count of the number of people served or unused medications collected. The total weight collected for both dates in 2024 was 204lbs. The collected unused medications are turned over to the DEA for disposal. For our National Take Back Day which was held on Saturday, April 26th, we collected 123 pounds of unused medications. Here are the links for websites used to advertise the events: https://www.dea.gov/takebackday https://middlesexpd.com/ https://www.facebook.com/middlesexpd/ https://www.instagram.com/middlesexpd/?hl=en We also use Nixle alerts through text and email, and post flyers throughout town. Hello Clare, The DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is on Saturday, April 26th. Our agency will be collecting unused or expired medications in our police department's lobby from 10am-2pm. We have posted the attached flyer throughout town and will share it on Social Media. A NIXLE message will also be sent. I have attached the flyer and a picture of our lobby. The collection containers are temporary so they do not appear in the picture at this time. From, S.Sgt. Joleen Auricchio S.Sgt. Joleen Auricchio #46 Middlesex Borough Police 1101 Mountain Avenue Middlesex, NJ 08846 732-356-1900 (voicemail ext. 346) Work Cell 732-532-4003

    Recycling & Waste Reduction Education & Compliance

    20 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: 1. Recycling Compliance We are part of the MCIA curbside recycling program, they employ inspectors who work closely with the halers. They are always out on collection days checking all areas of town. They also do yearly inspections of businesses around town to make sure they are recycling and doing it properly. One of the biggest issues we have are residents putting their recyclables in plastic bags. Tags were created and used to discourage this practice. When residents stop by our recycling yard, the staff is always outside trying to help and educate them on what goes where and what should or should not be recycled. 2. Recycling Education and Outreach The Middlesex County Recycling and Solid Waste Guide is available to residents and Borough Hall, Public Library and the Recycling Center year-round. The Environmental Commission provides the guide and Recycle Right magnets at all of our community outreach events (3 events in 2024 and 11 events so far in 2025). Our recycling yard has a large sign displaying hours of operation. Recently, the Department of Public Works (DPW) and Recycling created their own Facebook page to share information with residents. This method is much easier than creating and mailing out flyers, and it’s more environmentally friendly! At the beginning of this year, after receiving the complete county schedules for paper shredding events, household hazardous waste drop-offs, and the new curbside collection schedule for our town, we posted this information on Facebook and shared it on various affiliated community pages. Additionally, there is a second page called "Go Green Middlesex," which regularly highlights the importance of recycling and environmental conservation. The most effective way to communicate these messages is by engaging directly with residents at our recycling yard and distributing flyers. We have also set up a table at the recycling center with copies of the various recycling schedules available throughout our county. On our website, one of our biggest promotional tools is Recycle Coach—an excellent, user-friendly app. We also use our website to announce clean-up days in town. Lastly, the county provides us with recycling and solid waste guides, which include comprehensive information on recycling, important dates, and how to donate unwanted items. Additionally, describe how the four communications pieces uploaded (2 print and 2 digital) are used to notify all residents about the local recycling opportunities and the source separation requirements of the ordinance. Communications must emphasize the importance of putting only mandatory recyclable materials in recycling containers to ensure the quality of materials collected. Describe any procedures for updating the information. 2 Print Communications Pieces File Name Description of Usage 2024 Autumn Newsletter Recycling Center Hours & Rules Middlesex County Recycling Guide Available on table at the recycling center 2 Digital Communications Pieces (please only use ONE Facebook example) File Name Description of Usage https://www.middlesexboro-nj.gov/public-works DPW’s borough website Borough of Middlesex DPW/Recycling Facebook page Outreach, important dates, rules 3. Waste Reduction Education and Outreach 2 Communications Pieces File Name Description of Usage Recycling Coach app To reduce, reuse and donate items Go Green Middlesex Facebook post Reducing waste on 4th of July Recycle Coach and the County Guide are two of the most important resources for educating the public about recycling and the benefits of reusing or donating certain items. Both initiatives aim to promote proper recycling practices and highlight the negative impacts of wishful recycling, which can be harmful and more expensive. Additionally, the Go Green Middlesex page is a valuable resource; it promotes various donation programs, such as a sneaker donation initiative and different cleanup events. The Middlesex Environmental Commission hosted a composting workshop, inspiring residents to reduce waste and make a positive impact. We also created a “Benefits of Composting” flyer that is posted in the Borough Hall. 2025 Recycling Guide from Middlesex County https://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/home/showdocument?id=8383&t=638781575500633418

    Community Paper Shredding Day

    5 Points

    Program Summary: The most recent Community Paper Shredding Day took place on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Middlesex Borough Municipal Complex, located at 1200 Mountain Avenue, in the Borough Hall parking lot. This event was hosted in partnership with Middlesex County’s Waste Management Department and the Middlesex Borough Department of Public Works (DPW). The Middlesex Boro Municipal Complex serves as a central meeting location for many residents. Promotion for the event included announcements on the Borough’s website, as well as in the county’s recycling guide. Flyers were displayed at Borough Hall and shared on both the Borough's website and the DPW’s Facebook page. The event attracted 100 participants and successfully collected and recycled 5.1 tons of paper, a significant increase from the 3.9 tons collected the previous year on June 15, 2024 at the same location. Attached to this submission is the flyer used to promote Paper Shredding Day.

    Household Hazardous Waste

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Middlesex Borough's recycling center has permanent collection areas for several Hazardous materials. They publicize paint drop-off on the first Saturday of every month. On-going collections for Electronics and used motor oil are also available. The permanent collection of hazardous materials are listed on the website here: https://www.middlesexboro-nj.gov/public-works

    Non-Mandated Materials Recycling

    5 Points

    Program Summary: In November 2024, Middlesex Borough joined the GotSneakers (https://gotsneakers.com/) sneaker recycling program, launching its participation with the attached flyer, which was emailed out through the library's Constant Contact listserv, placed around the borough, and posted on the GoGreenMiddlesex Facebook page. The GotSneakers collection bin is kept at the Circulation Desk at the public library, and rolled to events at the library (see attached photo), and brought to public events like the Middlesex Borough Winter Festival. Sneakers in any condition are recyclable and should be kept out of landfills. GotSneakers provides very large prepaid FedEx bags that hold 12 to 20 pairs. Full bags are delivered to GotSneakers in North Bergen, NJ, for processing. Brand new shoes and sneakers in good condition are sanitized and reused, and the borough receives a tiny payment (which will be used to buy children's books about the environment for the library). Sneakers in poor condition are recycled, saving landfill space. GotSneakers sends an email the first of each month with an impact statement (see attached March 2025 Impact), and a check for a few dollars. Even though the sneaker recycling effort is quite new in the borough, it is gaining momentum, with people showing up at the library regularly asking, "Where do I donate sneakers?" Our little borough of 13,000 residents has already recycled well over 100 pairs of sneakers, and Middlesex Borough plans to continue collecting and recycling sneakers through GotSneakers forever. To increase public awareness of the program, there is a Sneaker Recycling Flyer (see attached again) in an acrylic stand right where folks check out their books at the public library, and there will be an article about the borough's GotSneakers recycling effort in an upcoming Middlesex Borough Newsletter (see attached images). The environmental club at Middlesex High School has been informed about the sneaker recycling program and they have helped spread the word, collected sneakers, and dropped them off at the library. There has been and will be information about the borough's sneaker recycling program at many events, including the borough's recent May 3rd Volunteer Fair and upcoming Green Fair, and the sneaker collection bin is always there. Middlesex Borough's Sneaker Recycling Program is a working example that can easily be replicated by other municipalities to recycle sneakers, keep sneakers out of landfills, displace CO2, save water, and even send unwanted sneakers in good condition to be sanitized and reused by children and adults who need them.

    Recycling Depot

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Middlesex Recycling Center is is located behind Borough Hall, at 1200 Mountain Avenue and named after Mr. John Sweeney, who initiated the Recycling Program in Middlesex Borough in the early 1980s. Over the years, the Recycling Center grew to collect a variety of recyclables including: glass, aluminum, plastic bottles, paper, cardboard, leaves, grass clippings, branches, electronics, motor oil, clothing and scrap metal. Recycling Center Hours of Operation (Eff. May 2022) Monday >> Closed Tuesday >> 6:00am - 1:45pm Wednesday >> 6:00am - 1:45pm Thursday >> 6:00am- 5:45pm Friday >> 6:00am - 1:45pm Saturday >> 7:00am - 2:45pm Sunday >> Closed The list of material accepted are found on page 4 of the recycling guide https://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/home/showdocument?id=8383&t=638781575500633418

    Backyard Composting Program

    5 Points

    Program Summary: The Environmental Commission/Green Team, in collaboration with the Middlesex Public Library, held their first Backyard Composting Workshop on October 5, 2024. The event attracted 15 attendees. We secured a Master Gardener to be the speaker. Michael Kosty from Middlesex County Solid Waste Management generously donated a Geobin a home composter, along with four composting wheels that we raffled off to some participants. We promoted the workshop through the library’s Constant Contact email service, and our recycling center distributed flyers to residents picking up leaf bags. The attached 4 Reasons to Compost flyer is posted at borough hall, on our website and on our Facebook page. We also posted the How to compost on our Facebook page.

    Grass - Cut It and Leave It Program

    5 Points

    Program Summary: The Grasscycling - Cut It and Leave It program was started in May 2025. A flyer is posted in Borough Hall, on the Environmental Commission website and Go Green Middlesex and Facebook Posts. It was also part of the Environmental Commission presentation to the Mayor & Council and public at the June 17, 2025 Borough Council meeting. https://www.middlesexboro-nj.gov/environmental-commission https://www.facebook.com/groups/864417598403432/media