Paramus Achieves Sustainable Jersey Certification

Early Tuesday afternoon, Sustainable Jersey announced that Paramus was one of 10 municipalities that had received their 2013 certification. The borough's certification is good for the next three years.

The program is voluntary, but achieving certification is not easy. Each Sustainable Jersey municipality that is certified at the bronze-level must submit documentation to show it has completed a balance of the program’s sustainability actions, meeting a minimum of 150 points. 

Paramus' Green Team members were required to select 10-12 actions from a potential list of over 117 actions that include areas such as a commitment to environmental stewardship, community gardens, supporting local businesses, conservation of energy and water and waste reduction and recycling.

"Sustainable Jersey is successful," Donna Drewes, who co-directs the organization with Randall Solomon, said in a press release. "It champions community-led decision-making and leadership, rather than mandating a top-down, one-size-fits-all plan for New Jersey." 

The technical content of the program’s actions are developed with the help of 22 task forces that comprise New Jersey state local officials, experts, non-profit groups, and members of the business community.  Recommended best practices/actions are vetted with local government officials. 

“It’s quite an accomplishment to become Sustainable Jersey certified,” said Pam Mount, Chair of the Sustainable Jersey Board of Trustees. “Our certified communities are leading the way with impressive sustainability initiatives in New Jersey while providing a model for towns across the United States.” 

Currently Sustainable Jersey's 380 participating communities represent over half of the state's municipalities and nearly 75 percent of its population. 

Also achieving their 2013 certification were Fort Lee, Franklin Lakes, Old Tappan, River Edge, Chatham, Franklin Township, Hope Township, Mount Olive and West Orange.

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