Sustainability

Ewing Township strives to incorporate principles of sustainability in its actions and initiatives to create a community that leaves our town a better place for our children, grandchildren and future generations to come.  Creating a sustainable community requires leadership, vision, and commitment to environmental principles and initiatives.

Two specific Township boards were created with missions to work towards those goals, the Ewing Environmental Commission and the Ewing Green Team.  The Ewing Environmental Commission was created in 1973 to preserve and protect the natural resources within Ewing Township and to work to ensure that the development and the usage of Ewing lands and properties meet with sound environmental principles.  The Ewing Green Team was formed in 2009 as the entity that pursues certification from Sustainable Jersey, a nonprofit organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they attempt to become more sustainable.  Both these entities work cooperatively with each other, other Township boards and commissions, and Township officials to create a path toward a more sustainable future for our residents and advance environmental initiatives.

The following are among the initiatives undertaken within the past several years:  

• Energy saving white roof at the municipal building
• Energy efficient boilers and AC
  • Municipal building
  • Hollowbrook
• LED Lighting retrofitting
  • Ewing Senior and Community Center (ESCC)
  • Municipal Building – Council, Agenda and Court rooms
  • Hollowbrook
  • Municipal Parking lots at Jake Garzio Drive and the ESCC
• Permeable paving at the ESCC.
• New windows at Hollowbrook.
• Purchase of all Township appliances include a sustainability consideration.  Energy star appliances are selected as a matter of first choice.

Sustainable Jersey Awards

In November 2013 Ewing received its first Sustainable Jersey recognition – Bronze level certification. And, just three years later, in 2016, we re-certified at the Silver level! This was followed in the Fall of 2019 with another SILVER certification for a total of 510 points.  In 2022 we recertified once againat the SILVER level with 465 points.  To achieve this, Ewing completed a total of 43 actions in 16 categories.  Of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities, we are one of only 53 Silver certified and 151 Bronze certified.  By becoming a Sustainable Jersey certified town, Ewing Township has reinforced its commitment to saving resources, the environment and the planet. 

Sustainability Champion

Ewing also achieved the 2016 Sustainability Champion award in the medium municipality category (population between 5,000 – 39,999). The award is for receiving the highest number of points in this population category. This award is one of five categories awarded each year: Sustainability Champion, Leadership, Creativity & Innovation, Collaboration, and Rookie of the Year. Award winners are selected from the municipalities that were certified or re-certified in the designated award year.

Building a Sustainable Future in NJ

Across New Jersey, hundreds of towns are now working on sustainability programs to help the environment and their bottom lines. Efforts to curb carbon emissions, protect natural resources and reduce waste are happening at the local level. Through the voluntary program, communities are implementing solar power and wind turbine projects, rain capture and reuse efforts, new walking and biking programs, building and operating community food gardens, launching community outreach programs on recycling and energy, and dozens of other initiatives. To become Sustainable Jersey certified, Ewing had to complete a balance of the rigorous program sustainability actions in addition to creating a green team.  Actions include working to save and create habitat for wildlife in town, promoting "The Arts," redeveloping Brownfields on the former GM site, holding an annual Green Fair, offering plots at a community garden, and protecting our natural resources by protecting our trees and much more.  Please see Ewing’s Sustainable Jersey Profile to view the 2019 Silver Certification Report for details of the actions that were considered in becoming Silver Certified.

About Sustainable Jersey

Sustainable Jersey certification is a prestigious designation for municipal governments in New Jersey. Municipalities that achieve certification are considered by their peers, by state government and by the experts and civic organizations in New Jersey, to be among the leading environmental municipalities in the state. Certification is a rigorous process and once certified, Sustainable Jersey towns have access to incentives and grants; training and guidance towards the development of a sustainable community; and are promoted on the Sustainable Jersey website as a town that is doing its part for the environment. For more information about Sustainable Jersey visit their website at /www.sustainablejersey.com.

Our past recognition by Sustainable Jersey does not mean that the work is done. Ongoing green initiatives include:

• Leave the Leaves
  An educational campaign about the benefits of mulching in place and leaving the leaves in one's yard in the fall.  This campaign provides information for homeowners and landscapers
• Grasscycling
  An education campaign by the DPW staff to educate residents about the benefits gained from the natural recycling of grass - leaving clippings on the lawn when mowing. 
• Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
  The EAB is a devastating parasitic insect that selectively attacks and kills ash trees (Fraxinus sp.) – one of the more popular landscape trees for its fall colors. 
  • Emerald Ash Borer Fact Sheet
  • EAB Action Chart 
• Recycling
  2 SHRED days a year, convenience centers at Scotch Rd and Jack Stephan Way and more. More details are available at our Recycling page. Pamphlet about the current recycling crisis now that China has closed its borders to a great deal of our plastic waste:
  • Trash Talk: Recycling in Crisis.
• Tree volcanoes 
  Improper mulching kills trees! Mulch should never be up into a cone around a tree trunk. Called mulch volcanoes, they kill trees on waste money on excess mulch material. Read Mulch Volcanoes Killing Trees in New Jersey. (warning - large file)
• Invasive Plants 
  This campaign is part of an ongoing effort by Ewing's Environmental Commission and Green Team educating people about the need to avoid planting invasive plants in their gardens. (see flyer - warning, large file)  See also the NJ Forestry Association's brochure on invasive plants in NJ forests - Invasive Plants in New Jersey Woodlands
• Green Business Recognition Program
  Local businesses are invited to join the Ewing Green Business Recognition Program, a new Township project run in conjunction with the Ewing Green Team that recognizes businesses located in Ewing committed to environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices. Visit the Ewing Green Team's Green Business Recognition Program webpage for additional information and an application.