Rumson Certified As 2020 Sustainable Jersey Municipality

RUMSON, NJ - Rumson Borough was recently recognized for its sustainability actions and strides towards positive environmental impact in 2020, according to the 501(c)(3) non-profit Sustainable Jersey.

Rumson was awarded a Bronze certification per the new list. The municipality has continued its efforts in community education, outreach, Green Team creation, and anti-idling enforcement, among other initiatives.

Here’s what Sustainable Jersey had to say about Rumson’s pledge supporting the New Jersey Wildlife Action Plan:

“The Rumson Environmental Commission worked with the Borough Council to create a resolution in support of a pledge to support New Jersey’s Wildlife Action Plan. The resolution commits to seven essential principles that incorporate the interests of New Jersey wildlife into municipal planning including identifying imperiled species, critical habitat and unique ecosystems in an Environmental Resource Inventory, which is presently in draft phase and will be completed in 2021.”

Here are the actions implemented by Rumson:

• Pledge Supporting NJ Wildlife Action Plan
• Create Green Team
• Community Education and Outreach
• Hold a Green Fair
• Emergency Management & Resiliency
• Vulnerable Populations Identification for Emergencies
• Buy Electricity from a Renewable Source
• Anti-Idling Education & Enforcement Program
• Environmental Commission
• Tree Protection Ordinance
• Community Forestry Management Plan and NJUCF Accreditation
• Tree Planting Programs
• Municipal Communication Strategy
• Digitizing Public Information
• Prescription Drug Safety and Disposal
• Recycling and Waste Reduction Education and Compliance
• Community Paper Shredding Day
• Non-mandated Materials Recycling
• Recycling Depot
• Grass - Cut It and Leave It Program

The municipal certification program saw a record-breaking 457 municipalities in New Jersey participating in 2020, with 219 towns successfully achieving certification. 155 towns were given bronze-level certification and 64 towns received silver-level certification.

View Rumson’s sustainability profile here.

Each bronze-level municipality 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 a minimum of 350 points. Participating municipalities can become eligible via 145unique actions such as meeting targets for green fleets, implementing energy efficiency measures or building a healthy community.

“With nearly 90 percent of the New Jersey population living in a Sustainable Jersey community, we know our work at Sustainable Jersey has never been more important,” said Randall Solomon, executive director of Sustainable Jersey. “Congratulations to the municipalities that achieved certification in a very challenging year. Your hard work brings us closer to the goal of a sustainable New Jersey.”

You can view the full list of certified municipalities here.