Franklin Lakes Earns Sustainable Jersey Status

Sustainable Jersey representatives announced Tuesday that 10 towns — including Franklin Lakes — achieved certification from the nonprofit environmental group.  

Franklin Lakes was certified bronze on February 28. 

The addition of the towns brings the total number of certified municipalities up to 113 since the program was launched in 2009, said officials with the group. 

"The certified communities are leading the way as many more New Jersey towns are actively working on becoming certified," the group said in a release. "Sustainable Jersey's 380 participating communities represent over half of the state's municipalities and nearly 75 percent of its population." 

Bergen was well-represented among the 10 towns certified: Fort Lee, Franklin Lakes, Old Tappan, Paramus and River Edge all made the cut.

The certification is good for three years.

The program is voluntary, but achieving certification is not easy, according to officials. 

Typically a town will select 10-12 actions from a list of more than 117 potential 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. 

In addition to reaching the required points, each community has to create a Green Team and complete more actions, the group said, including "energy audits for municipal buildings, a municipal carbon footprint, a sustainable land use pledge, a natural resource inventory, a water conservation ordinance, a fleet inventory, and/or Energy Star Portfolio Manager."

Franklin Lakes earned 160 points by completing a number of tasks, such as submitting a sustainable land use pledge and a community forestry plan and canopy goal.

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

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