MICKLETON — Sustainable Jersey representatives announced that East Greenwich Township has met the rigorous requirements to achieve Sustainable Jersey certification.
East Greenwich Township is one of two towns in Gloucester County and 142 towns out of 417 registered municipalities that have attained bronze certification. East Greenwich will be honored at the Sustainable Jersey awards luncheon on Nov. 18 in Atlantic City with Mayor Dale Archer accepting the award.
“I am extremely proud of our Environmental Commission and Green Team. The members of this team are volunteer residents that have dedicated their time and efforts to making East Greenwich a greener more sustainable community. East Greenwich and our future will be a little greener due to their accomplishments”, said Mayor Dale Archer.
To become Sustainable Jersey certified, East Greenwich submitted documentation to show it had completed a balance of the required sustainability actions, meeting a minimum of 150 action points to be certified at the bronze level. In addition to reaching 150 points, each community had to create a green team and select at least two out of 11 priority action options.
East Greenwich did three of the 11 priority actions by completing: energy tracking and management, sustainable land use pledge, and diversity on boards & commissions. They also completed 11 other actions.
“Becoming Sustainable Jersey certified is a significant achievement,” said Pam Mount, chair of the Sustainable Jersey Board of Trustees. “The certified towns demonstrate tremendous leadership and are a testament to how much we can accomplish with impressive sustainability initiatives in 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 addressing diversity and equity. “Collectively the 417 participating Sustainable Jersey towns are a powerful force in New Jersey,” said Donna Drewes co-director of the Sustainable Jersey program. Randall Solomon, co-director of the Sustainable Jersey program congratulated the certified towns. “I commend the towns that have achieved certification for their demonstrated commitment toward the long-term goal of a sustainable New Jersey.”
Sustainable Jersey is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. Currently, 417 of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities are participating in the sustainability certification program. In 2014 the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program will be launched in partnership with New Jersey School Boards Association and other statewide educational organizations.
