Chatham Scores A Pair Of Sustainability Awards

CHATHAM, NJ - Both Chatham Borough and Chatham Township were among the 53 NJ towns recognized for their sustainability efforts by Sustainable New Jersey. In 2018, 53 municipalities in 18 New Jersey counties achieved the prestigious Sustainable Jersey certification.

At nearly eighty percent participation, Sustainable Jersey has 448 of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities engaged in the certification program. Chatham Borough scored a silver with 620 points and Chatham Township a bronze with 200 points.

In the 2018 application cycle, eleven municipalities achieved certification at the more advanced silver-level: Asbury Park, Chatham Borough, East Windsor, Egg Harbor Township, Glen Rock, Hightstown, Hillsborough, Lambertville, Millburn, Mount Holly and Woodbridge. 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.

“Congratulations to the municipal staff, green team volunteers and community members who have worked hard to achieve Sustainable Jersey certification,” said Randy Solomon, the executive director of Sustainable Jersey. “The Sustainable Jersey certified towns 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.

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 9,000 sustainability actions. Over $4.9 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’s partners include the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program. Program underwriters include the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program, PSEG Foundation and the Surdna Foundation.

For more information visit www.SustainableJersey.com

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

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