South Plainfield Green Team

11/14/2025

At the end of the year, the South Plainfield Green Team page will be deactivated as we consolidate our communications with the South Plainfield Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC).

To continue receiving updates on sustainability initiatives, community programs, ordinances, events, and volunteer opportunities, please follow our official page:

Borough of South Plainfield Environmental Advisory Committee

This transition will help streamline information sharing and make it easier for residents to stay connected to our environmental efforts.

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you on the EAC page.

Send a message to learn more

05/05/2025

09/29/2024

08/23/2024

2024 South Plainfield Annual Fall Cleanup
Volunteers Needed!
Contact Kristina Nieradka to sign up
[email protected]
908-755-2187

07/26/2024

If you're attending National Night Out, please stop by our table and chat with our Green Team members. We have some fun interactive activities to share along with some giveaways.

Join us for South Plainfields annual National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. Enjoy music, food, prizes, and giveaways in a family-friendly atmosphere.

07/24/2024

Christmas in July this Sunday, July 21, 2024 4-8 pm! We hope you can come join us and stop by the Environmental Advisory Committee & Green Team table....see you then!

07/16/2024

We know it's HOT but please use that remote start wisely. Here are some tips to quickly cool down the interior of your car:

1. Ventilation: Open both windows on one side and fan the interior by swinging a door on the opposite side back and forth.

2. Air Conditioning: Start the engine, set the air conditioning to its coldest setting, and use the ‘external’ air setting initially.

3. Parking: Park in the shade or use a windscreen sunshade. Leave windows slightly open for air circulation.

4. Interior Care: Use light-colored seat covers or towels to keep seats cool.

07/10/2024

Idling cars, trucks, school buses, public and private shuttle buses, and off-road construction equipment all contribute to the degradation of local air quality.

Current regulations limit engine idling for both diesel and gasoline vehicles to three minutes with limited exceptions.

Turning off your engine:

1. Reduces Air Pollution: Idling vehicles emit harmful pollutants, including benzene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde. These toxins are associated with cancer and respiratory problems.

2. Protects our Children: Children’s developing lungs are particularly vulnerable to air pollutants. Exposure to idling vehicle exhaust increases the risk of asthma and other respiratory issues.

3. Conserves Energy: Unnecessary idling wastes fuel and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions

04/21/2024

A recent report from nonprofits Environment America, U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, and Frontier Group has shed light on the effectiveness of plastic bag bans in the United States. Here are the key findings:

* Significant Reduction in Plastic Bag Use:
Plastic bag bans in three states (New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Vermont) and two cities (Portland, Oregon, and Santa Barbara, California) have already reduced the number of single-use plastic bags used each year by approximately 6 billion.

* Widespread Adoption of Plastic Bag Legislation:
Over 500 municipalities in 28 states had plastic bag legislation in effect as of 2021.
Additionally, 12 states have implemented state-wide bans on single-use plastic bags: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
State-wide bans in Colorado and Rhode Island were recently enacted at the start of 2024.

For more information, you can explore the full report here

https://publicinterestnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Plastic-Bag-Bans-Work-January-2024.pdf

04/15/2024

The Metuchen Arts Council is hosting a free guided hike along the newly opened red trail in the Peter Barnes Wildlife Preserve. The hike is schedule for Saturday April 20th at 10:00 AM. Click on link below for details.

500 Main Street, Metuchen, NJ 08840   www.metuchenartscouncil.com Contact:  Grace Shackney, [email protected] 732-549-3294FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:     A GUIDED HIKING TOUR INTO THE PETER BARNES WILDLIFE PRESERVE SET FOR APRIL 20TH, PART OF THE WINDOWS OF UNDERSTANDING PUBLIC ART PROJECT.....

11/07/2023

At least 100 children and adults came out on Saturday, September 29 to clear litter from South Plainfield’s roadsides, parks and open spaces. Unfortunately, the weather was rainy. Many volunteers picked up their cleanup supplies and planned to work at their spots later in the week. Reports of filled orange bags came in over the next two weeks. Scouts, students and Adopt-A-Spotters joined with other individuals and families to fill 70 orange bags with plastic and paper litter, bottles, cans and junk. Covering nearly 63 acres and over two road miles, they collected an estimated 3,000 pounds of trash. Clean Neighborhoods Program Aide Luke Melick gathered up the orange bags, and the cost of disposal will come from the Borough’s Clean Communities grant.

The Clean Communities Advisory Board is proud of the Borough for stepping up for a town-wide cleanup in the face of yet another rainout. Much appreciation to the Knights of Columbus, the High School Environmental Science Club, Boy Scout Troop 125, Girl Scout Troops 65033 and 65475, Americold Logistics, Liftec, Inc., the Mayor and Council, BYOB, the Buddha Light International Association-NJ, and South Plainfield families: the Roseos, Walezaks, Stembridges, Gonzalezes, Guerriers, Joneses, Petritsches, and Regans.

The CCAB is grateful to the volunteers who help keep our shared home an enjoyable, healthful place to live and work.