What Did Westfield's Green Team Accomplish In 2022?

WESTFIELD, NJ — From achieving a Silver Certification from Sustainable New Jersey to expanding programs at the Conservation Center, Westfield's Green Team has taken significant strides to making the town a more sustainable place.

The Green Team's mission is to improve the quality of life in Westfield — environmentally, socially and economically — in a way that can be sustained to benefit future generations.

The group released some highlights of what they have accomplished thus far in 2022:

• 9,000 pounds of plastic toys recycled by residents at the Conservation Center were diverted from the garbage, cleaned and picked up to be donated to children in need.
• Seven tons of gently used items donated by 150 residents were taken for reuse at the annual Free Market Event.
• Over 160 residents enrolled to receive community solar energy without the need to install panels through Westfield’s Solar Landscape program.
• 73 individuals test drove electric vehicles at our Green Energy Fair.
• 80 residents participated in the Great Swamp Native Plant Sale, held in partnership with Friends of Brightwood Park, by purchasing native plants, which are critical for supporting the local ecosystem.
• Three Green Collar Career Fair sessions conducted and recorded for replay to provide college-bound and non-college-bound students with ideas on entering the growing Green Collar workforce.
• 225 high school students attended the Robinson Creek Stream Lab field experience, held in partnership with the Rutgers University Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program, to learn about water quality testing, stream assessments, rain garden function and construction and more.
• Over 30 tons of food waste was recycled at the Conservation Center and used to produce biofuel to help power the Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority, which in turn helps to reduce Westfield’s sewage costs.
• 270 storm drains were cleaned by residents to help keep them free of debris, reduce street flooding, and keep our local watershed clean through the Adopt-A-Drain program.
• $60,000 in grant funding secured for Town sustainability efforts, including grants to install a “bike oasis” downtown to encourage biking, advancing the Solar Landscape program, and drafting a Community Energy Plan that will include proposed actions related to energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy.
• Over 100 Girl Scouts participated in the Girl Scout Sustainability Program, a new program on climate change and sustainability that includes ten activities designed to educate, inspire, and commit to action.
• The first Food Waste and Food Insecurity luncheon was held with guest presenter Gary Sondermeyer, a leader in the field of food waste and recovery, and local groups and stakeholders to discuss addressing food needs, resources and waste.

The Green Team also encourages people to take advantage of the Conservation Center's recycling programs this holiday season.

Christmas trees can be recycled at the Center from January through March, and string lights, including broken Christmas lights, can be brought to the electronics collection bin.

For hours of operation and the latest program availability, visit the Town website.

In addition, the Green Team said holiday gift giving can be incredible wasteful. From wrapping paper, unwanted gifts, food waste, decorations, and more, Americans toss out about 25 percent more trash during the holidays than any other time of year, the group stated.

You can consider going low-waste this year with the Green Team's top 10 green gift giving suggestions.

The Team is also tackling food waste this holiday season and recommends composting, as well as dropping off any food waste at the Conservation Center. Learn more about what food you can recycle here.

For the third year in a row, Westfield has been awarded a Silver Certification from Sustainable New Jersey, and municipalities that earn this certification are considered to be among the leading communities in the state taking steps towards sustainability.

Additionally, Councilman David Contract, who acts as the Green Team’s Council liaison, was recognized with a 2022 Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) Municipal Leadership Award for his support in launching Westfield’s community solar program, Solar Landscape.

This community program allows residents to receive the benefits of solar energy without the installation of solar panels and reduce their monthly electricity costs by approximately 20 percent, according to the Green Team.

You can learn more about Westfield Green Team by visiting the town's website.

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