Woodbridge Recognized For Sustainability

Woodbridge Township has been awarded a prestigious 3-STAR Community Rating for national leadership in sustainability, officials said.

Communities must undergo an extensive review that evaluates their livability and sustainability, and the designation was awarded to Woodbridge after the township completed a year-long pilot evaluation, according to a news release from the township.

“Woodbridge Township is pleased to accept the 3-STAR Community Rating – a designation that places Woodbridge among the top sustainable cities and communities in the nation and serves as a benchmark for the continued implementation of our leading sustainable initiatives,” Mayor John E. McCormac. said in a prepared statement. “The 3-STAR Community Rating supports our Sustainable Jersey and New Jersey League of Municipalities designation as the New Jersey “Sustainable Champion” - having achieved Silver-Level Certification for five consecutive years (2013 – 2009.)”

More than 30 municipalities participated in the pilot program, and more than 85 communities participate in STAR. Albany, New York, De Moines, Iowa and Fort Collins, Colorado are also 3-STAR certified, the news release said. The highest possible certification is 5-STAR.

“Sustainable townships, cities, and municipalities provide a healthy environment, support a strong economy, and continually improve the well-being of the community,” Hilari Varnadore, executive director of STAR Communities said in a prepared statement. “Woodbridge Township is to be applauded for its commitment to sustainability, and for the clarity and transparency provided while achieving its goals.”

According to the news release:

Woodbridge Township worked with “Greenable Woodbridge,” Sustainable Jersey, and the Rutgers University Center for Urban Environmental Sustainability (CUES) to implement innovative, sustainable initiatives.

They include:

• “a $7 million project to install energy-producing solar panels on municipal, school, fire department, private sector and residential buildings designed to save township taxpayers and businesses long-term energy costs through a self-sustaining source of energy that will provide a portion of the Township’s power needs for years to come;
• creation of a ‘green’ business recognition program;
• implementation of a fully automated trash collection and single-stream recycling program that dramatically increased recycling and decreased the amount of waste going to the county landfill;
• implementation of energy-saving audits and retrofits at municipal buildings and facilities;
• integration of fuel efficient hybrid vehicles and bio-fuels into the municipal fleet; and designation of Woodbridge Township as a Mayor’s Wellness community.”

Greenable Woodbridge has also implemented or plans to implement other sustainable initiatives, including:

• Development of educational and instructional programs promoting “green” technology and sustainable programs for schools, community associations and local businesses
• Establishment of a summer Farmers’ Market
• Creation of a tree replacement program in town
• Energy upgrades in municipal buildings that led to an overall decrease in the municipal carbon footprint
• Creation of a wetlands and brownfield inventory

Photo courtesy Woodbridge Township; Mayor John E. McCormac and Woodbridge Township awarded National 3-STAR Community Rating. Caroline Ehrlich, Chief-of-Staff, Office of Mayor John E. McCormac, presents the 3-STAR Community Rating to the Woodbridge Township Environmental Commission.