Sustainable Jersey

Sustainable Jersey is a network and movement of municipalities, schools and school districts working collectively to bring about a sustainable New Jersey. Acting with state agencies, non-profit organizations, foundations, academia and industry, Sustainable Jersey researches best practices for what communities could and should do to contribute to a sustainable future. The program culminates in a prestigious certification award to municipalities and schools that have documented meeting a set of rigorous standards. 

Since the launch of the Sustainable Jersey municipal program in 2009 and the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program in 2014, participants have successfully implemented and documented over 25,000 discrete actions from our list of best practices. Over seven-million dollars in grants have been awarded to municipalities, schools and school districts in the program. Sustainable Jersey provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. By supporting efforts to reduce waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions, educate for sustainability, stimulate local economies, increase resiliency and progress toward an equitable society, Sustainable Jersey is empowering communities to build a better world for future generations.

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The Washington Township Green Team has achieved bronze level Sustainable Jersey recognition since 2011 by earning a minimum of 150 points on a variety of SJ actions.  Every three years SJ requires participating municipalities to reapply by once again earning the required point totals for updated SJ actions that they took.  During 2025, the Green Team has been diligently working on the numerous SJ actions which will be submitted for approval toward maintaining our township’s bronze recognition for another three years. 

 

A sample of the actions that the team is working on includes:

• Initiated a Green Business Recognition program.  Learn more here!

• Updated the township’s Environmental Resource Inventory to be included in the township’s Master Plan

• Updated the municipal fleet inventory

• Obtained a Sustainable Land Use Pledge from the Township Committee

• Had a continuously active Green Team in the township which meets on a regular (monthly) basis

• Township sponsored clean communities and paper shredding events

• Hold an annual Green Festival

• Support green initiatives such as Mow Less May, planting of native shrubs and trees and grass cut it and leave it.

• Local Board of Health Best Practices

• Township has an active Environmental Commission that meets regularly and conducts private well testing

• Township supports a local community garden

• Prescription drug collection by the township police

• Township has a recycling center