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Sustainable Jersey Certification Report

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This is the Sustainable Jersey Certification Report of Ridgefield Park Village, a Sustainable Jersey silver certified applicant.

Ridgefield Park Village was certified on September 22, 2023 with 420 points. Listed below is information regarding Ridgefield Park Village’s Sustainable Jersey efforts and materials associated with the applicant’s certified actions.

Contact Information

The designated Sustainable Jersey contact for Ridgefield Park Village is:

Name:Mark Olson
Title/Position:Sustainable Ridgefield Park Commissioner / Village of Ridgefield Park
Address:234 Main Street
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
Phone:2017410644

Actions Implemented

Each approved action and supporting documentation for which Ridgefield Park Village was approved for in 2023 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: A municipal resolution designating Ridgefield Park Public Arts Champions as the Creative Team still stands (see attached Creative Team Resolution). Public Arts Champions (Creative Team) serve a single municipality to identify and further promote arts and culture related activity to the community. The members include: 1 elected official, 2 artists, 1 from art association, 1 business leader, 1 from education community and 2 Sustainable Ridgefield Park (formerly known as the Green Team). The rest are village residents. List is attached (Creative Team). The Public Art Champions meet at least quarterly to discuss the scope and direction of municipal Creative Placemaking initiatives. The report is attached.

    Creative Assets Inventory

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Village of Ridgefield Park is using the Creative Bergen system. (Creative Assets Inventory attached). The inventory is on the Concerts, Arts and Culture section of the municipalities website https://www.ridgefieldpark.org/concerts-arts-culture/pages/creative-asset-inventory. We continue to ask the public for information/assets they think should be included. (Website Location attachment) The Ridgefield Park Arts Association is included in this effort. The Public Arts Champions identify future projects, public assets for inclusion, other ideas and designs for consideration. Inventory review includes public art placed downtown and around town in the form of murals, sculptures and free-style pieces.

    Municipal Commitments to Support Arts and Creative Culture

    25 Points

    Program Summary: Ridgefield Park has created and incorporated a Public Art Element into the Village's Master Plan which was approved in April, 2022. The element details two cultural districts plus goals, objectives and strategies. The inclusion of this element was fueled by the presentation of the Public Art Master Plan to the Planning Board and City Planner which was created for Ridgefield Park through a nine month long planning and community engagement process during 2019 led by Northern New Jersey Community Foundation. Members of the community involved in this process became known as "Public Arts Champions" – and have been designated as our Creative Team.

    Utilizing Your Creative Assets

    30 Points

    Program Summary: The Village of Ridgefield Park continues its work on a variety of projects with local art, artists and performers, engaging with the Ridgefield Park Arts Association and Creative Bergen. The concert series expanded beyond the summer months using our Civic Center as the indoor venue. On Grove Street, live mural painting happened at the Street Fair with local and Creative Bergen member artists and Busking (street performances) went live during the summer. The Village participated with the county-wide Creative Bergen Arts Amble 2022 which saw positive response from residents and businesses. Three of the projects are highlighted here are the transfiguration of Grove Street, Civic Center performance space, George Cooke, 2022 Artist Laureate, the artist everyone knows and Guillermo Lopez-Pastas, 2023 Artist Laureate who used a building at the municipal pool and out building in Veteran's Park as his canvass. This is helping us demonstrate that we have a more robust art community than might be thought. A full compliment of supporting material is attached.

  • Community Partnership & Outreach

    Create Green Team

    10 Points
    Bronze Required Silver Required

    Program Summary: Formed six years ago with a cross-section volunteers who promote sustainability and educate our community about the different projects underway in the Village of Ridgefield Park. We work with residents, businesses, public schools and the village to cost effectively reduce our impact on the environment and rethink how things are done through conservation and good choices. In 2021 the Green Team re-certified at Silver Level. We work to recycle more than what is mandated plastic, styrofoam, crayons and batteries. We participate with the Bergen County HUB project, Creative Bergen on their annual Arts Amble and with our Arts Association. The Green Team hopes to see the final Master Plan Public Art element as well as continue to work on educating the public about living a greener and more sustainable lifestyle.

    Community Education & Outreach

    15 Points

    Program Summary: Deborah Fagnan, head of the Children's department in the Ridgefield Park Library was chosen out of the 350 applicants across the country for a Plant Wildflowers Grant from Tangle Bank Studios. We stood out because the program is community-focused, partner-driven, and a pollinator-friendly proposal. The partners for this initiative are Gianna Terrarosa, Ridgefield Park resident and Ambassador Girl Scout working on her Gold Award, The Environmental Commission, The Green Team and Shoprite of Hackensack. The library ran a toddler and pre-K story time program, and a cooking program centered around honey and bees. Gianna Terrarosa created and ran three programs at the library, one for children, one for teens and one for adults educating through slide presentations, lecture, a film and printed materials about the importance of planting native plants for pollinators and the correlation of planting native plants and the survival/revival of pollinators, specifically the monarch butterfly and bees, environmental health and public health. Native plant seed packets were handed out at all programming and are also available to anyone who visits the library. The library had two viewings of the film, My Garden of a Thousand Bees. The Environmental Commission and Gianna Terrarosa held a BioBlitz at Ridgefield Park's McGowan Park. Both the RP library and Gianna Terrarosa had tables at the Ridgefield Park Earth Day celebration where they educated the public on the plight of the bee and monarch butterfly and what they can do to help. There was free native seed packet give-a-ways, books to look at and borrow from the library, educational material to look at and take home as well as verbal education and a beekeeper to field any questions for those interested in keeping bees. The Green Team promoted all activities by publishing a press release written by Deborah and Gianna on our town's Facebook page, handing out printed material at our April, materials reuse and Arbor Day events, publishing it in our town newsletter, posting it at our municipal building and post office. They also acquired bees wax wraps that were given away at Earth Day. The library promoted the activities through their website, online calendar, Constant Contact email blast and Instagram. Gianna promoted all activities with hard copy posted on her Little Library as well as making seed packets available for visitors to take. She also promoted all programming on her Just One Plant website and through the Environmental Club at her high school. Gianna petitioned the RP Commissioners to take the NWF Mayor's monarch pledge and they accepted. They have already planted an additional 4 pollinator gardens in RP.

    Green Fair

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Ridgefield Park Green Team announced its name change to Sustainable Ridgefield Park at the May 21, 2022 Green Fair held in conjunction with the Ridgefield Park Environmental Commission's Earth Day event at Riverside Park/24 Industrial Avenue. A detailed schedule of the day's events are uploaded. Over 45 families attended and were encouraged to carpool, walk or bike if possible.. Also present were Department of Public Works Materials Reuse table, Ridgefield Park Library's Plant Pollinators Project. Grant Grammar School was represented with their BEE a Pollinator art project. The community garden helped visitors plant seeds to take home. Sustainable Ridgefield Park had multiple handouts on recycling, caring/cleaning reusable bags, leaving grass cuttings. Welcome Guide and Recycle Coach Material with QR code was promoted to attendees to scan and use keeping themselves up to date on new initiatives and recycling changes.

  • Diversity & Equity

    Lead Education & Outreach Programs

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Ridgefield Park Health Department handles lead education outreach for the Village. Education focuses around hazards of lead paint, lead paint exposure for children/pregnant women as well as safe lead paint removal. The Village website (www.ridgefieldpark.org) has information for residents wishing to learn about the dangers of lead in homes listing links to www.epa.gov/lead and www.cdc.gov/lead. The Health Dept. page of the website lists info on the Bergen County Childhood Lead Program offering free screenings to all families who are interested. Children are exposed to lead from different sources such as paint, cosmetics, certain foods, water, dust, soil, and time spent in a home built before 1978. (Info on website - uploaded). A flyer on free lead screenings is uploaded. (www.ridgefieldpark.org) A lead remediation pamphlet is available in the Board of Health office as well as online. (uploaded). On the Village website, different informational flyers are rotated covering: Blood Levels in Children; Lead Poisoning – Know the Facts; The Good News – Lead Poisoning is 100% Preventable; Are you Pregnant?; Lead Poisoning – Know the Facts (www.ridgefieldpark.org), Protect Your Family. (all uploaded) Info on Lead Poisoning & Hazards is available online on the Board of Health page of www.ridgefieldpark.org. (info uploaded) The Environmental Commission & Green Team (SRP) makes this information available to everyone that visits the website, electronically distributes the info to the schools and also distributes at public events such as the annual Earth Day/Green Fair, Swap & Shop, Street Fair and Health Fair. There is a table with info on it in the Health Dept. Info is also available at the Building Dept. Info on village website: https://www.ridgefieldpark.org/sustainable-ridgefield-park, https://www.ridgefieldpark.org/health-department, and https://www.ridgefieldpark.org/home/news/free-child-lead-screening. Posts are put on on the village instagram and facebook page @ridgefieldparknj as well. We distribute these documents in the schools and at public events, such as Earth Day, Swap & Shop/Green Fairs, annual street fair and the annual Health Fair sponsored by Sustainable RP (next one scheduled for 10/14). We're also in the process of trying to form a partnership with the local schools on lead testing as part of kindergarten registration. After data revealed that households in multiple Bergen County municipalities are among the New Jersey communities most at risk of lead paint hazards, one local nonprofit was awarded $1.34 million to perform lead hazard abatement in the area, we decided we needed to get this information out to residents. The ultimate goal is to work with the Health Dept. and Building Dept. to give them up-to-date information to give to residents that take out building permits. We made a flyer with helpful links on how to know if your house might have lead, lead poisoning info and how to get financial help if you qualify. This flyer was electronically distributed in the schools. Ridgefield Park is fortunate that Veolia is in the process of continuing to change lead service lines carrying water from the main in the street into individual homes. We have put info on the village website about steps you can take to reduce exposure to lead in your drinking water. Attached is an example of posts on Instagram and Facebook (@ridgefieldparknj). We have regularly scheduled posts on social media about lead education. We also distribute this information in the schools. The ultimate goal is to form a partnership with the Board of Education, Health Dept. and Building Dept. to make sure everyone is education on the dangers of lead poisoning.

  • Emergency Management & Resiliency

    Emergency Communications Planning

    15 Points

    Program Summary: The Main Communications Center is Police Headquarters, 234 Main Street, Ridgefield Park, NJ with a Backup Center a 50 Main Street. The Village of Ridgefield Park uses a variety of methods to keep residents informed using Reverse 911, NIXLE, Social Media and Message Boards. A Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) which was activated during Covid 19 pandemic to make welfare checks via calls from the OEM office and also offer contact less help to get needed groceries or other supplies for our special needs, elderly with medical situations or otherwise challenged residents. CERT was also activated during a major storm that caused flash flooding impacting places of residence and people traveling in cars. The civic center was used as a shelter for those who had their dwelling flooded. Our OEM office distributes updates to the special needs listing from the police department highlighting medical conditions, issues, special concerns of the population. The Village uses the quarterly Village Newsletter to solicit updated information from residents. OEM and/or CERT participates at Volunteer night, Earth Day/ Green Fair, Back to School nights and school functions as part of the outreach plan. The Village website http://www.ridgefieldpark.org/files provides guidance for hurricane preparedness and overall emergency management. Our outreach also includes reissuing our OEM Communications letter with visits and presentations to the Civic Center for our Senior Citizens, as well as 278 Main Street & 265 Main Street where some of our special needs adults reside. We reach out to three group homes with 24-hour counselors who insure that all special needs for those residents are captured and provided to the Emergency Operations contact annually.

    Vulnerable Populations Identification for Emergencies

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Ridgefield Park's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has developed a village-wide Special Needs Registry. The OEM keeps the lists of all residents who have special needs and it is shared with the Police Department. Both organizations encourage everyone who has special needs situations to register. The school district has a special needs list of our autistic population which is shared with our Police Department and OEM. Information and registration forms can be found on the village website, the village newsletter, and at specific locations in the village including the OEM office and the municipal building. These are fluid lists that are updated as information changes. Our emergency services and CERT have been engaged to assist when necessary. Several village stakeholders as shown in the checklist are those in the position to know who their special needs population is and encourage them to register and can notify the OEM office of a specific situation. The Council provides the oversight necessary to make clear policy decisions and planning updated based upon changes in the community.

  • Energy

    Energy Tracking & Management

    10 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: Ridgefield Park continues tracking energy usage and identify issues for municipally owned buildings. The excel spreadsheet is uploaded in this action. Monthly gas and electric billing is supplied by our utility provider, PSE&G. The data is entered and consolidated into an excel spreadsheet stored in Outlook so different departments can update it easily.

  • Food

    Community Gardens

    20 Points

    Program Summary: Ridgefield Park Community Garden was officially opened in April 2017. Now in season 5, there are 2 village-owned locations for those who wish to garden. One is at McGowan Park which is on Bergen Turnpike and the other location is in Fellowship Park on Bergen Ave and Hobart Street. We have 50 gardeners. The gardens have created an opportunity for community members of diverse backgrounds to meet, work, and collaborate with others who have similar interests. We maintain chemical-free gardens and encourage natural methods of fertilizing and insect control. The community garden concept is supported by our Mayor and Commissioners, and our DPW. The estimated cost of the gardens is $8,000 and approximately 500 hours is spent on maintenance and improvement. The day to day running of both the Fellowship and McGowan locations is coordinated by the community garden oversight committee a committee of six gardeners, who report to the Commissioner of Public Works. The gardeners are expected to maintain their plot and the overall care of the garden primarily through group work sessions. Both locations have sheds and access to running water. The DPW mows the lawn surrounding the outer ring at McGowan and delivers mulch and soil as requested. At Fellowship the gardeners mow inside the garden area and the DPW does the edging of the public plots when they do the rest of the park. Yard waste and garbage is collected weekly. Each garden location has public plots planted with vegetables around the perimeter which are shared with village residents. The Food Pantry Garden located on the premises of St. Francis of Assisi Church - 114 Mt. Vernon Street is planted and maintained by garden volunteers. The location has access to water and an onsite shed for storage. This is a non-denominational food resource which assists over 90 families and individuals in need. A drop off procedure is in place to get the fresh produce to the food pantry volunteers for distribution. Available plots are typically advertised in our village newsletter, municipal announcement board, banners at both locations, on Facebook pages, and on the village website. Applications are available on our website as well as in the municipal building and library. A closed group Facebook page is maintained for our gardeners to share pictures, garden updates, growing tips, recipes, plus general announcements. Meetings reminders are posted there as well as emailed to our gardeners. The meeting dates attached.

    Buy Fresh Buy Local Programs

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Ridgefield Park Green Team, supports its local economy and small businesses promoting access to local food and food resources for our community of 4,851 households. When buying local transportation especially lessening fuel consumption has environmental benefits. We are close to Routes 46, 17, 80 and 95 making it easy for residents to access Bergen and Passaic County Farmers Markets and sustainable resources for sourcing nutritious food. A list of these resources within 10 miles of Ridgefield Park is posted on the Village’s website and Facebook page, is part of our Welcome Guide, was shown at the Green Team station on Earth Day in May and was covered in the June, 2022 newsletter. We have a local mainstay Village IGA which has been offering home delivery for over 43 years well before supermarket chains. We will interact with local restaurants, cafes, small eateries and bakeries and promote those businesses that support local food production and may use in-season produce.

  • Health & Wellness

    Building Healthier Communities

    25 Points

    Program Summary: Mayors Wellness Campaign signed, Resolution passed. Board of Recreation - bowling, basketball, archery, tennis, softball, lessons, clinics, adult 3x3 basketball, ping pong Senior Center - yoga, Zumba, dancing, lunch, BP screening, speakers. Rising Sun - martial arts academy helping all ages learn to defend themselves. Jiu Jitsu, karate, ladies’ cardio kick boxing, boot camp. Free training to police officers. http://risingsunacademy.net/ Board of Health - flu shots for employees; well-baby clinic; rabies vaccine; handouts, make free covid tests available Police Dept.: • checks car seats • safe use of bicycle helmets • Junior Police Academy Program physical conditioning/training; first aid, DWI Presentation • OPERATION TAKE BACK NEW JERSEY PROGRAM – proper medication disposal • Babysitting Class • Law Enforcement Against Drugs Program. Utilizing Too Good for Drugs curriculum reinforcing skills to empower students to lead safe, healthy lives; setting goals; building positive relationships; effectively communicating; resisting peer pressure; information about consequences of drug use, drug related crimes, bullying, violence and benefits of drug-free, nonviolent lifestyle • Fitness room Library - health/wellness programs Environmental Commission: • Bat Walk – education on bats; how they help control mosquito population. • Nature Preserve – trails and wildlife - walk, jog, bike - just get back to nature, right in our own backyard! • Nature Walks • Fishing Derby • Earth Day/Green Fair Community Garden Members: • work outdoors • learn gardening • demonstrations/ lectures • maintain public plots & picking days so all enjoy fresh healthy vegetables • maintain plots, donating fresh food to food pantry. Municipal pool - swim, lessons, swim team. Summer recreation camp: • outdoor play • evening program - Teens & Adults • weight room, basketball courts, volleyball courts available Neighborhood parks: • outdoor exercise, walking, jogging, sports, kayaking, canoeing • outdoor track lit until 10:00 p.m. attracting walkers • added bike paths promoting biking Village sports available: soccer, baseball, wrestling, football, men’s softball, cheering Sustainable Ridgefield Park/St. Francis Church – Annual Health Fair scheduled October 14, 2023. Sustainable Ridgefield Park/K of C – Annual Blood Drive October 14, 2023 Ridgefield Park Arts Association: • concerts • high quality art in all forms • Arts Amble • believes that arts are essential to the health and wellbeing of all people www.ridgefieldpark.org for Village info.

  • Local Economies

    Green Business Recognition Program

    10 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The Green Team is in its 6th year using the actions of the New Jersey Sustainable Business Registry for its general program. Nine businesses are registered where their business has completed 3-5 actions and is recognized by the village. An interview survey document is completed with a business owner meeting. It is reviewed and approved and the owner receives a seal acknowledging the businesses commitment to sustainable practices. At the May 21, 2022 Earth Day event we announced our new additions, posted them on the Green Team webpage. An additional piece will be put on the Village’s Facebook page. A Qualifications and Actions spreadsheet details the businesses, dates of recognition and what they do to be recognized.

  • Natural Resources

    Environmental Commission

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Environmental Commission is committed to making the Ridgefield Park community more sustainable in a variety of ways, including but not limited to a drug take back program, community garden project, weedings and planting of native plants at our Nature Preserve, Green Business program, crayon recycling, Styrofoam recycling, Bring Your Own Bag give-a ways and education on cleaning your reusable bags, reusable straw give-a ways, education on straw, plastic bags and foam, suggestion to BOC that when large apartments or office building or buildings are built, that they require those buildings being built use bird protecting glass, continued protection of the eagle preserve as well as work on the soon to be completed Nature Preserve and Nature Trail. The Nature Preserve will provide many opportunities for special educational programs for the Ridgefield Park school system, especially the nearby Junior Senior High School, and also be available to Village scouting and civic organizations for programming. Most importantly, it will be available to ALL Village residents for taking a peaceful and relaxing stroll in nature!The Environmental Commission is committed to making the Ridgefield Park community more sustainable in a variety of ways, including but not limited to a drug take back program, community garden project, weedings and planting of native plants at our Nature Preserve, Green Business program, crayon recycling, Styrofoam recycling, Bring Your Own Bag give-a ways and education on cleaning your reusable bags, reusable straw give-a ways, education on straw, plastic bags and foam, suggestion to BOC that when large apartments or office building or buildings are built, that they require those buildings being built use bird protecting glass, continued protection of the eagle preserve as well as work on the soon to be completed Nature Preserve and Nature Trail. The Nature Preserve will provide many opportunities for special educational programs for the Ridgefield Park school system, especially the nearby Junior Senior High School, and also be available to Village scouting and civic organizations for programming. Most importantly, it will be available to ALL Village residents for taking a peaceful and relaxing stroll in nature!

    Environmental Commission Site Plan Review

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Ridgefield Park Environmental Commission has taken an active role in reviewing applications before the Planning/Zoning Board and voicing opposition to plans that would be a quality-of-life issue and negatively impact the environment. In the past 18 months, the EC has received approximately 5 cases/applications to review. (list uploaded) For example, the EC is quite proud of its impact creating a new ordinance that new construction and major renovations will incorporate design measures to promote bird safety. After reading the application for 60 Challenger Road, the EC submitted comments to the Planning Board and backed them up with lots of data that literally millions of birds are killed every year by this glass. The applicant was very agreeable and they will provide birdproof glass. This shows that one person can make a difference. In October 2022, Leonia contacted the EC looking for support for the area known as Overpeck Area IV. A member attended the meeting along with Leonia Environmental Commission and others. The main point is to have conversations with the community. The County basically said it was old trees and they understand it had to be remediated and they went way too far. The original plan called for a great lawn but many feel there is already a lawn, and this area should have a meadow. Leonia Shade Tree Commission feels they should plant as many trees as possible. The County did mention it was “court ordered.” The EC believes there will be more public meetings. Since RP gave some of the land, it should have the right to have a one-on-one conversation about this.

    Community Forestry Management Plan & NJUCF Accreditation

    20 Points

    Program Summary: Ridgefield Park has used a tree maintenance program since the inception of the Shade Tree Commission in 1979. Tree maintenance is included as part of the Shade Tree Commission's annual budget. The Shade Tree Commission uses a baseline inventory, ongoing inventory updates and additional information to keep current what is known about the public tree population. A combination of resources from the DPW and two outside arborists are used to complete the maintenance tasks which may require highly specialized equipment or skills. Any street plantings under power lines are now smaller trees to avoid conflicts with electric wires. It has been our goaI to increase and maintain tree canopy cover and we have succeeded in doing so on municipal lands and in right-of-way opportunities. Canopy cover is limited in most areas oft the Village due to high density development. One potential exception is the portion of Overpeck County Park that lies within RidgefieId Park. A copy of the letter from the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection confirming our CFMP Plan has been extended to December 31, 2024. As such, the approval letter for the current CFMP Plan dated September 12, 2019 remains in effect. Attachment: Notice of Acceptance_CFMP Extension. Accreditation Status Reports attached: 2021 and 2022 Accreditation. Note: The departure of Emily Farschon from the NHUCF has impacted updates to 2022 Accreditation Status.

    Tree Hazard Inventory

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Ridgefield Park has a current tree hazard inventory for every street tree in the village. Trees are rated according to the severity of the damage or threat to a given tree. An outside consultant was used to custom-design and performed the survey. The DPW is provided with a list of high priority trees that require pruning or removal. In an emergency when there is a potentially hazardous situation the tree is removed immediately. In a a non-critical situation the tree is scheduled for action. The property owner is notified by the Shade Tree Commission and informed of action that will be taken. 2018 Shade Tree Commission Work Plan details the trees removed, planted and pruned. In 2019, work is underway to identify and evaluate trees in parks and other public properties (school grounds) for action.

    Tree Maintenance Programs

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Ridgefield Park's Shade Tree Commission has had a tree maintenance program since 1979. Tree maintenance is included in the Shade Tree Commission's annual budget. The Shade Tree Commission tracking uses a baseline inventory, ongoing inventory updates and additional information to keep the public tree population current. Resources from the DPW and two outside arborists complete the maintenance tasks which may require highly specialized equipment or skills. The guideline for street plantings under power lines are to only use smaller varieties which avoid conflicts with above ground electrical wires. A single PDF attachment contains: - Introduction - Tree Maintenance Section of the Community Forestry Management Plan. - Annual Work Plan for 2021 submission in the Tree City USA Annual Report with trees and stumps removed, trees planted, pruned, elevated, and inspected. - Tree Budget Statement as it appeared in the NJUCF AAR for 2021 including actuals plus DPW and contracted vendor man hours worked.

  • Operations & Maintenance

    Recycled Copy Paper

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Clerk's Office coordinates all requests for paper to insure that the departments are using paper with 30% post-consumer content. The Village of Ridgefield Park departments: Clerk's office, Building Department, Health Department, Assessors Office, Municipal Court, Board of Recreation, Pool and Police Department have fully adopted using recycled paper. The scanned documentation confirms that recycled paper is in use as stated above with 30% post-consumer content. Attached are the Office Universe Invoices for 2021 paper orders.

  • Sustainability & Climate Planning

    Community Asset Mapping

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Village of Ridgefield Park community assets inventory categorized spreadsheet has over a new dozen additions. It is on our Village Website for the general population to use located on the Sustainable Ridgefield Park page https://www.ridgefieldpark.org/sustainable-ridgefield-park under Community Asset Inventory. This log was built by volunteers who walked the town and verified information by doing Internet searches. Our challenge is still resources, time and people. Sustainable Ridgefield Park members keep the inventory. It is repurposed in the Village’s Welcome Guide. The log is used with the Creative Assets Inventory, a separate resource and submitted under that action, by the Public Arts Champions (Creative Arts Team) when deciding which areas of the Village will be focused on for projects and activities.

  • Waste Management

    Prescription Drug Safety & Disposal

    10 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The Village of Ridgefield Park conducts two drug take-back events in April and October at the Police Department Headquarters 234 Main Street physically inside the department's offices. Collection is handled anonymously. Neither the number of clients nor the number of prescriptions deposited by clients are counted only the weight. Community notification takes place using a flyer distributed and displayed at the Municipal Building, on the Municipal Message Board, Lombardi Towers, Marlboro house, Main Street Senior Building, 7-11, IGA, CVS, post office, as well as the eight doctors offices within the village. Information is placed on the village website calendar, the PBA Facebook page, and a standard format NIXLE message distribution occurs prior to the event along with notification to citizens who signup for email and text messages.

    Recycling & Waste Reduction Education & Compliance

    20 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: Recycling Compliance: There is a Recycling Ordinance in place in the village. Village of Ridgefield Park, NJ / Part III: General Legislation / Garbage, Rubbish and Refuse Article IV Recycling [Adopted 5-24-1988 by Ord. No. 12-88[1] (Ch. 117, Art. IV, of the 1985 Code)] (*see Supporting Material) Employees of the DPW do periodic curbside recycling inspections. Planning is underway to use stickers on contaminated bins that are left uncollected explaining why the recycling could not be collected. (*see Supporting Material) A tracking sheet from 2022 is provided in the attached Recycling Compliance Tracking Ridgefield Park 2022. Recycling Education and Outreach: The Village of Ridgefield Park uses Recycle Coach to educate residents about recycling through the app and online resources. The village collection calendar is synced on the Recycle Coach app. (*See Recycle Coach Interactions report PDF and see example flyer on Facebook PDF) We also have a Sustainable Ridgefield Park (Ridgefield Park Green Team) Facebook page with 50 likes and 70 followers as of January 2023 which grew to 82 likes and 106 followers as of May 7th, 2023. https://www.facebook.com/sustainableridgefieldpark (*see Sustainable Ridgefield Park Facebook examples PDF) The DPW has its own webpage available at https://www.ridgefieldpark.org/department-public-works with the collection calendar and instructions. Our Sustainable Ridgefield Park green team website is also updated periodically; available at https://www.ridgefieldpark.org/sustainable-ridgefield-park Waste Reduction Education and Outreach: The municipality’s accepted materials flyer is called "Sort-It-Out". It is distributed to the community on the Village website, as well as at tabling events such as the Street Fair. It is available in town buildings such as the Municipal Building and the Civic Center for residents to take. (*See Supporting Material) The newsletter is used to keep residents aware of changes to recycling and waste collection. They announced changes including rearranging the cardboard and paper pickup schedule (See Supporting Material PDF and March 2023 Newsletter PDF). The March 2023 Newsletter also includes information about The Department of Public Works changes to the recycling collections of newspaper, cardboard, yard waste, and bulk waste. There are instructions to tie up cardboard for curbside collection as well as paper recycling. There is also an article about wish-cycling to educate residents about recycling contamination. The March 2023 newsletter also advertised our April 22, 2023, Bulk Plastics and Toy Collection event, and gives the date for our upcoming 2023 Swap & Shop in September. (*See Ridgefield Park March 2023 Newsletter PDF) The DPW webpage is https://www.ridgefieldpark.org/department-public-works They participate in public events including Earth Day and the Street Fair to promote and reinforce the rules of recycling and waste reduction to the community. First Quarter of every year the DPW does an assembly at each of the three grammar schools and the middle school about their department while giving students an overview of the important and varied role they in the community.

    Community Paper Shredding Day

    5 Points

    Program Summary: The Village of Ridgefield Park conducts two community paper shredding events annually using an outside company. It is held on a Saturday between 9am - 1pm at the DPW Garage-24 Industrial Avenue, Ridgefield Park, NJ. DPW employees assist residents to insure that only acceptable material is submitted for shredding. The DPW and Sustainable Ridgefield Park partnered at both events. The April event was combined with a Second Chance Toys Recycling Collection, damaged hard plastics recycling collection and Food Pantry Breakfast Cereal donation with about 80 participants. In November we ran the event with hard plastics recycling collection and Food Pantry Breakfast cereal donation with about 60 participants. Sustainable RP members and high school volunteers needing community service managed the Second Chance Toys, hard plastics recycling and Food Pantry Breakfast cereal donation collections. Residents liked the time saving aspect of dropping off multiple things at once. The event is publicized on the Village website, Village Facebook page, and on the Village message boards. Confirmation receipts for both the April, 2022 and November 2022 events are in one attachment along with photos of the shredding activity.

    Household Hazardous Waste

    15 Points

    Program Summary: The DPW recycling center at 24 Industrial Avenue is where the village collects car batteries, consumer electronics, fluorescent light bulbs, cooking oil, and used motor oil is collected for recycling and disposal. We do not recycle Paint, Pesticides, and Herbicides. Instructions are located on the Village website at: https://www.ridgefieldpark.org/department-public-works. The DPW webpage also directs residents to the BCUA for the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Schedule. The DPW was instructed by the BCUA to cease collecting paint. A flyer announcing the change to paint collection was distributed on Earth Day/Green Fair on May 1, published on the DPW webpage and in the June 2021 newsletter. (Attachment: No More Paint flyer). The June 2021 newsletter is on the Village website in the News Box at https://www.ridgefieldpark.org/about-us. The last page of the newsletter contains relevant DPW information, instructions, and the office number. Using the website and Recycling Coach app (see image attached) residents can create a customized monthly calendar using their physical address. When requested the DPW will supply a physical packet of information which residents can pick up at the office or have it dropped off at their home. (Attachment: 2021 DPW Webpage and Packet Info).

    Non-Mandated Materials Recycling

    40 Points

    Program Summary: Plastic bags/film and EPS - The plastic bag and film recycling program is a partnership started in 2021 with Bogota and Englewood. The Village has five collection sites plus the DPW recycling center. Material is sorted through by volunteers then bagged. Plastic is accumulated at the Ridgefield Park DPW until taken to the Englewood DPW where it is baled then stored. EPS - The Village Recycling Center is open to residents six days a week. Signage on the container and a DPW employee onsite guides residents about what is acceptable. Material is regularly sorted through by volunteers then bagged. Accumulated EPS is taken to POLY/MOLDING LLC. Attachment: The EPS Plastics Material Update.pdf includes a 2022 newsletter article about EPS recycling and a visual of the container displayed in the municipal building and the civic center. Textiles - The Fire Dept. has four textile collection boxes around town and in the DPW recycling center available anytime for drop off. Attachment: Textiles Documents. Cooking Oil is collected for recycling in a tank provided by MOPAC RENDERING. When enough has accumulated MOPAC picks it up. This container has not been emptied as we have not run out of space. Crayons and Alkaline batteries Crayon collection boxes are at all public schools, the library, one nursery school and Municipal Building. Flyers are electronically distributed to schools. 165 new packs of crayons were made for donation to children’s hospitals.(crayoninitiative.org). Alkaline Battery(AA, AAA, 9V or C or D cell) collection began 1Q2022 using Call2Recyle prepaid corrugated boxes. Attachment: Crayon and Alkaline Battery Recycling Bulky Rigid Plastics were collected in 2022 and 2023 in conjunction with Paper Shredding days at the DPW. The container is then taken to Bayshore Single Stream Solutions the closet recycler to us who accepts this material. We use this opportunity to support Second Chance Toys to collect toys for children in need and keep them out of the landfill. Attachment: Bulky Rigid Plastics Support Material. Recycling calendar is mailed to homes annually. It is at https://www.ridgefieldpark.org/department-public-works under Calendar and Instructions. For those without electronic access the DPW will provide a physical information package.

    Recycling Depot

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Ridgefield Park's Recycling Center located at 24 Industrial Avenue is open six days a week (Monday-Saturday 9 am - 12 pm). A Village employee is posted at the Center to guide residents through the deposit process. A recycling board is posted at the center to show Village residents what can be dropped off at the center. Information included: computers, small appliances, TVs, DVD players, etc. metal, wood general trash yard waste corrugated cardboard propane tanks used automobile oil commingled recycle (glass, plastic, aluminum) As of February 2, 2023 newspaper and magazine pickups have been arranged with the Knights of Columbus one of our community organizations. (Attached website notice) Residents contact the DPW to arrange specific pickups for washers, dryers, refrigerators, hot water heaters and large objects made of metal. The location has a clothing drop off, an EPS recycling bin, plastic film recycling containers, battery recycling container. A satellite view (RP DPW satellite map) of the DPW area is attached.

    Grass - Cut It and Leave It Program

    5 Points

    Program Summary: The Village of Ridgefield Park uses multiple methods to promote the value of leaving grass cuttings behind. Newsletter articles and public display board at the DPW offices are some examples. Selected reprints are used to discuss the value of leaving the grass cuttings at town events. Members of our Green Team and Environmental Commission informally share the advantages of using a mulching blade - saves time because it speeds up the job and you don't have to stop and empty the container.

    Materials Reuse Program

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Materials Reuse Area is at the DPW Recycling Center 24 Industrial Avenue and part of Ridgefield Park's recycling program. The interest in reuse remains strong. The DPW employee who oversees the site maintains that well over 250 people annually either drop off or pick up an item which saves minimally 2 tons of material from landfills. People who stop by the recycling center are shown available items and instructed they can also drop off items they no longer need. At the annual Earth Day/Green Fair there is a "Popup" place with items pulled from the main reuse area that are cleaned up for visitors to take. (photo uploaded from ). We put a "Popup" Materials Reuse Area at the Fall Swap & Shop which is very actively shopped and visitors comment they would like to see it more often which is a way for us to remind them of the area at the recycling center for their use anytime during its operating hours. Attached is the notice that is on the Village website and distributed in the schools. The flyer is used at public events including Earth Day, annual Street Fair, Health Fair etc.

    Reusable Bag Education Program

    5 Points

    Program Summary: The Environmental Commission distributes reusable cloth bags on Earth Day/publilc events and asks people to sign a pledge that they will use the cloth bag. (photo & pledge uploaded). It also asks stores to put the uploaded BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) sign in their windows to remind people to bring reusable bags. The uploaded flyers educating people about the positive aspects of using reusable bags and care for reusable bags are on our website and distributed electronically in the schools as well as at tables hosted by the Environmental Commission/SRP throughout the year at public events such as Earth Day, EarthFest, Health Fair, Swap & Shop/Green Fair and the annual Village Street Fair. Members also talk to local store owners throughout the year about encouraging reusable bags. We have distributed the uploaded flyers in the schools as well as at public events. Also attached is as flyer that a member took to each store in the town together with a "BYOB" (bring your own bag) encouraging reusable bags as well as a flyer about the new laws on handing out straws, polystyrene foam food service ban and single-use carryout bags ban. Go to https://www.ridgefieldpark.org/environmental-commission and https://www.ridgefieldpark.org/sustainable-ridgefield-park to see reusable bag info posted on the village website.