Sustainable Jersey Announces 2025 Award Winners and Certified Municipalities at Annual Statewide Celebration

Sustainable Jersey today announced the recipients of the 2025 Annual Awards and recognized 83 New Jersey municipalities that achieved certification this year. A capacity crowd filled the Crown Ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel in Atlantic City to celebrate the top municipalities and their accomplishments in advancing local sustainability.

Established in 2009, the Sustainable Jersey Annual Awards celebrate municipalities and leaders who demonstrate outstanding commitment to sustainability. Review the 2025 Sustainable Jersey Annual Award Descriptions and Recipient Quotes.

2025 SUSTAINABLE JERSEY ANNUAL AWARD RECIPIENTS

Sustainability Champion (over 40,000 residents)

Hillsborough Township, Somerset County with 845 points

Sustainability Champion (5,000 – 40,000 residents)

Madison Borough, Morris County with 1,000 points

Sustainability Champion (under 5,000 residents)

Bordentown City, Burlington County with 605 points

Mayor Art Ondish Leadership Award

The Honorable Sean Elwell, Mayor of Elsinboro Township, Salem County

Creativity & Innovation Award

Downe Township, Cumberland County

Rookie of the Year Award

Middlesex Borough, Middlesex County

Collaboration Award

Fair Haven Borough, Monmouth County

Gold Star Recipients:

• Princeton (Mercer County): Gold Star in Health

• Readington Township (Hunterdon County): Gold Star in Water

Sustainable Jersey Certified Towns (2025)

52 Bronze and 31 Silver Certified Towns: Review the list of the 2025 Sustainable Jersey Certified Municipalities.

“It’s inspiring to see communities of every size across New Jersey leading the way toward a more sustainable and resilient future,” said Randall Solomon, director of Sustainable Jersey. “These municipalities are not waiting for change, they’re creating it, through action, innovation, and collaboration.”

Eighty-three municipalities achieved Sustainable Jersey certification in 2025. Of these, 52 towns earned bronze certification and 31 achieved silver certification—the program’s more advanced level. To become certified, municipalities must complete a range of sustainability actions and document their progress. Bronze-level certification requires a minimum of 150 points, while silver-level certification requires 350 points or more. Currently, 191 towns are certified, and Sustainable Jersey’s 468 participating communities represent nearly 83% of the state’s municipalities.