Wall Township Certified As 2020 Sustainable Jersey Municipality

WALL, NJ - Wall Township 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.

Wall was awarded a Bronze certification per the new list. The municipality has continued its efforts in its Brownfields reuse planning, community partnership, community education and buy fresh local programs, among other initiatives. It was previously named a Sustainable Jersey township in 2014 and 2017.

Here’s what Sustainable Jersey had to say about the Brownfields Reuse Planning project:

“The Wall Auto Wreckers was a junkyard for over fifty (50) years and is located at 1822 Route 71 West Belmar (Block 6 Lot 6). The prior owner conducted a cleanup which was completed June, 2016, and verified by Wall Township LSRP … Resolution 20-0141 authorized the award to Spano Partners Holdings dated 1/16/20. Wall Twp. and Spano Partners Holding were given a green light by [the] State of New Jersey to construct a solar farm at the Wall Auto Wreckers.”

Here are the actions implemented by Wall:

• Brownfields Reuse Planning
• Create Green Team
• Community Education and Outreach
• Buy Fresh Buy Local Programs
• Anti-Idling Education & Enforcement Program
• Building Healthier Communities
• Green Business Recognition Program
• Environmental Commission
• Environmental Commission Site Plan Review
• Water Conservation Education Program
• Improve Public Engagement in Municipal Government
• Improve Public Engagement in Planning and Zoning
• Digitizing Public Information
• Prescription Drug Safety and Disposal
• Community Paper Shredding Day
• Recycling Depot
• Reusable Bag Education Program

View Wall Township’s sustainability profile here.

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.

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.