Watchung Achieves Sustainable Jersey Silver Certification

Watchung, NJ – The Borough of Watchung has met the rigorous requirements to achieve Sustainable Jersey certification at the silver-level. Certified towns were announced at the Sustainable Jersey Annual Luncheon on November 19, 2024, in Atlantic City at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference. Sustainable Jersey's participating communities represent nearly  83% of the state's municipalities

Mayor Ron Jubin noted that “We at Watchung are so proud of our Green Team for their time and energy spent into receiving the silver certification. We are also grateful to Sustainable NJ for recognizing and awarding their hard work.”

For the 2024 Sustainable Jersey application cycle, 28 towns achieved certification at the more advanced silver-level to make a total of 68 towns that are silver-certified in the program. Silver-level certification requires that a town submit documentation to show it has completed a balance of the program’s sustainability actions, meeting a minimum of 350 points.

To become Sustainable Jersey certified, Watchung submitted documentation to show it had completed a balance of the required sustainability actions across twelve of eighteen categories, meeting a minimum of 350 action points. In addition to reaching 350 points, each certified community had to create a green team and select at least three out of thirteen priority action options. Watchung did three of the thirteen priority actions by completing the Energy Tracking and Management, Fleet Inventory, and Prescription Drug Safety and Disposal actions.

“It is an honor to take time to recognize these impressive municipalities and the work they are doing to create a healthy environment for all,” said Randall Solomon, director of Sustainable Jersey. “From advancing energy efficiency to reducing waste and increasing climate resiliency, these towns have demonstrated their relentless commitment to creating a more sustainable future. We will continue to provide the tools, training and financial incentives they need to make progress.”

Watchung is a borough at the eastern end of Somerset County, comprising mostly of suburban neighborhoods, with a robust retail district located along US Route 22.  Most of the residential parts of the town are situated in wooded areas between the first and second Watchung mountains.  The name for Watchung, along with the surrounding mountains, comes from the Lenni-Lenape people who called the area Wach Unk, which roughly translates to High Hills.  The town was incorporated in 1926 and is home to just over 6,000 people and a fair number of deer. www.watchungnj.gov

About Sustainable Jersey

Sustainable Jersey provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. As New Jersey faces issues such as the climate crisis, a growing equity divide and environmental pollution, municipalities want to be a part of the solution to these challenges. Sustainable Jersey participants (municipalities and schools) have successfully implemented and documented nearly 28,000 sustainability actions. Sustainable Jersey has provided over $8.1 million in grants to municipalities, school districts and schools for community-based projects that create healthy and sustainable communities in New Jersey. www.SustainableJersey.com