NJDEP Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability

07/09/2021

Get those proposals in! The deadline to apply is 7/30/2021.

➡️ For full details and to apply, visit stopthesoot.org/sts-retrofits.htm

07/09/2021

Is it time for a new television? Well, if so, remember it is against the law to throw old TVs in the trash. Instead, televisions and other electronic wastes should be brought to electronic waste (e-waste) recycling collection sites so that these devices can be properly managed, which in turn protects the environment. Televisions, computers, monitors, laptops, portable computers, desktop printers, and desktop fax machines are accepted for free at all New Jersey e-waste collection sites.

To find the location of a nearby e-waste collection site, visit https://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/ewaste/index.html.

Is it time for a new television? Well, if so, remember it is against the law to throw old TVs in the trash. Instead, televisions and other electronic wastes should be brought to electronic waste (e-waste) recycling collection sites so that these devices can be properly managed, which in turn protects the environment. Televisions, computers, monitors, laptops, portable computers, desktop printers, and desktop fax machines are accepted for free at all New Jersey e-waste collection sites.

To find the location of a nearby e-waste collection site, visit https://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/ewaste/index.html.

07/08/2021

New Jersey is making sure everyone shares in the benefits of clean electric transportation. That’s why the NJ Department of Environmental Protection is providing grants for eMobility projects, like affordable electric ride sharing and ride hailing, electric shuttle buses, transit buses, and more, that can bring clean transportation options to underserved communities. Submit your eMobility proposals NOW! #EnvironmentalJustice

⏳ We’re looking forward to reviewing your proposals – but make sure to get them in by the 7/30/2021 deadline.

💻 For more information on how to apply, visit stopthesoot.org/sts-retrofits.htm

07/08/2021

This week, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced the reopening of NJ's electric vehicle rebate program, Charge Up New Jersey 👏

The #ChargeUpNJ incentive is back! Starting today, NJ residents can get up to $5,000 toward a new EV with a point-of-sale incentive. The rebate will help more drivers #DriveElectric ⚡ as we work toward Governor Phil Murphy's goal of 330,000 EVs by 2025.
🔎 chargeup.njcleanenergy.com

07/07/2021

#AnotherOne

An Ozone Action Day has been declared for Wednesday, July 7th, 2021!

Ozone is forecast to reach the unhealthy for sensitive groups category for locations along the I-95 corridor and portions of central New Jersey.

Sensitive individuals, including the very young, the elderly, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid strenuous activities during the afternoon and early evening hours.

07/06/2021

‼️ An #OzoneActionDay has been declared for Tuesday, July 6th, 2021! Ozone is forecast to reach the unhealthy for sensitive groups category for locations along the I-95 corridor and portions of central New Jersey. Sensitive individuals including the very young, the elderly, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid strenuous activities during the afternoon and early evening hours.

‼️ An #OzoneActionDay has been declared for Tuesday, July 6th, 2021! Ozone is forecast to reach the unhealthy for sensitive groups category for locations along the I-95 corridor and portions of central New Jersey. Sensitive individuals including the very young, the elderly, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid strenuous activities during the afternoon and early evening hours.

07/06/2021

Tokyo 2020 Sustainability Plan - Strategy for a Green Olympics

Organizers of the upcoming summer Olympic games in Tokyo have worked hard to make the event environmentally-friendly. The use of recycled content materials and products is just one way by which the Olympic games are going "green" this year. All Olympic medals will be made from metal extracted from recycled consumer electronics, including around 6.2 million mobile phones! In addition, the Olympic podiums will be made out of recycled household and marine plastic waste, as will the workers' uniforms. To learn more about the sustainable initiatives to be employed at the Tokyo Olympics, visit https://tokyo2020.org/en/games/sustainability/. Learn more about recycling at recycle.nj.gov.

Be better, together - for the people and the planet. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic sustainability plan's goal is to deliver an environmentally conscious games for

06/30/2021

‼️ An #OzoneActionDay has been declared for Wednesday, June 30th, 2021 ‼️

Ozone is forecast to reach the unhealthy for sensitive groups category 🔶 for locations along the I-95 corridor and portions of central New Jersey. Sensitive individuals including the very young, the elderly, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid strenuous activities during the afternoon and early evening hours.

‼️ An #OzoneActionDay has been declared for Wednesday, June 30th, 2021 ‼️

Ozone is forecast to reach the unhealthy for sensitive groups category 🔶 for locations along the I-95 corridor and portions of central New Jersey. Sensitive individuals including the very young, the elderly, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid strenuous activities during the afternoon and early evening hours.

06/29/2021

Oops, we did it again!

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is offering another round of funding for electrification projects (thanks, RGGI).

This time, it's for local government vehicles and eMobility projects in #EnvironmentalJustice communities.

⏳ We're looking to fund around 25-30 projects, so hurry and get those proposals in...(https://www.stopthesoot.org/sts-retrofits.htm)

06/29/2021

📣 New Funding Opportunity!

Get your proposals in by 7/30/2021: https://www.stopthesoot.org/sts-retrofits.htm

06/21/2021

Summer is here!!! The weather is hot, but these summer tips are cool! 😎

🌞Wash your clothes in cold water and hang them outside to dry. Heating water takes more energy than washing in cold, plus cold water helps protect color. In addition, try hanging your clothes to dry to save more on your energy usage and bill.

🌞When it comes time to wash your car, give yourself the break and take it to a commercial car wash. Car washes can use up to 50% less water than we would at home, and they have systems in place to drain and reuse water properly.

🌞Save energy by turning off lights and embracing the sun. Opening the blinds to let sun in not only increases natural light in your home, but it can increase your energy levels.

Summer is here!!! The weather is hot, but these summer tips are cool! 😎

🌞Wash your clothes in cold water and hang them outside to dry. Heating water takes more energy than washing in cold, plus cold water helps protect color. In addition, try hanging your clothes to dry to save more on your energy usage and bill.

🌞When it comes time to wash your car, give yourself the break and take it to a commercial car wash. Car washes can use up to 50% less water than we would at home, and they have systems in place to drain and reuse water properly.

🌞Save energy by turning off lights and embracing the sun. Opening the blinds to let sun in not only increases natural light in your home, but it can increase your energy levels.

06/17/2021

Is an electric vehicle the right fit for your fleet? New funding options and fleet analysis tools have made finding a cost-effective solution for reducing the carbon footprint of municipal and school fleets easier.

Join Sustainable Jersey next Wednesday, June 23, to hear about electric vehicle funding options and learn from municipalities that have successfully reduced the carbon footprint of their fleets.

To register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5596593765750073872

Webinar: Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Municipal and School Fleets on June 23 from 1-2:30 PM

Register: ⤵⤵⤵https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5596593765750073872

Is an electric vehicle the right fit for your fleet? New funding options and fleet analysis tools have made finding a cost-effective solution for reducing the carbon footprint of municipal and school fleets easier.

Speakers include:
- Victoria Carey New Jersey Economic Development Authority

- Jim DeVico Edison Township, NJ

- Andrea Friedman New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

- Brian McDermott City of Paterson - City Hall

- Josh Rosenberg Atlas Public Policy

06/16/2021

Has your business, school, institution or community made a significant impact through recycling? Nominate them for the NJDEP's 40th annual Recycling Awards Program. The deadline for submitting is Friday July 30, 2021. Apply Today at www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/2021RecyclingAwards.pdf.

06/14/2021

Approximately 500 gallons of rainwater will fall onto, and off of, an 800-square-foot roof in a single one-inch rainstorm. While some of the rainwater will be absorbed into your lawn, much of those 500 gallons will flow across yards and driveways and into storm drains and streams.

Instead of watching the rain go down the drain, consider installing a rain barrel to catch some of the rainwater! Water collected in rain barrels can be used to water gardens, flowers, and to clean gardening tools. Utilizing rain barrel water will reduce the amount of potable water you are using in gardening and could save money on your water bills. For more information on rain barrels go tohttps://www.nj.gov/dep/gi/pdf/gi_rain_barrels.pdf and for instructions on making a rain barrel go to https://njaes.rutgers.edu/E329/.

Approximately 500 gallons of rainwater will fall onto, and off of, an 800-square-foot roof in a single one-inch rainstorm. While some of the rainwater will be absorbed into your lawn, much of those 500 gallons will flow across yards and driveways and into storm drains and streams.

Instead of watching the rain go down the drain, consider installing a rain barrel to catch some of the rainwater! Water collected in rain barrels can be used to water gardens, flowers, and to clean gardening tools. Utilizing rain barrel water will reduce the amount of potable water you are using in gardening and could save money on your water bills. For more information on rain barrels go tohttps://www.nj.gov/dep/gi/pdf/gi_rain_barrels.pdf and for instructions on making a rain barrel go to https://njaes.rutgers.edu/E329/.

06/09/2021

Always Remember to #RecycleRightNJ! Contaminants in your recycling bins can cause huge problems at recycling centers. Make sure that you know what to put into your bin. Learn more at www.recycle.nj.gov.

To view more infographics visit: nj.gov/dep/aqes/sustainability-infographics.html.

Always Remember to #RecycleRightNJ! Contaminants in your recycling bins can cause huge problems at recycling centers. Make sure that you know what to put into your bin. Learn more at www.recycle.nj.gov.

To view more infographics visit: nj.gov/dep/aqes/sustainability-infographics.html.

06/07/2021

Are you looking to highlight your towns’ local businesses & showcase your towns’ Sustainable Initiatives? Sustainable Jersey certified municipalities having 3 or more businesses on NJ’s Sustainable Business Registry (SBR) are eligible for a COMMUNITY PAGE on SBR’s website for FREE!!
To date, 5 towns have their Community Page on SBR’s website.
Checkout the Community Pages at: http://registry.njsbdc.com/communities.
To join or learn more about how your town can get their own personalized COMMUNITY PAGE contact [email protected].

Are you looking to highlight your towns’ local businesses & showcase your towns’ Sustainable Initiatives? Sustainable Jersey certified municipalities having 3 or more businesses on NJ’s Sustainable Business Registry (SBR) are eligible for a COMMUNITY PAGE on SBR’s website for FREE!!
To date, 5 towns have their Community Page on SBR’s website.
Checkout the Community Pages at: http://registry.njsbdc.com/communities.
To join or learn more about how your town can get their own personalized COMMUNITY PAGE contact [email protected].

06/07/2021

World Oceans Day is tomorrow, Tuesday, June 8, 2021! Here are a few ways to celebrate!

🌊 Join a World Oceans Day Activity or Event. Go to unworldoceansday.org/ to view the list of events happening around the globe!
🌊 Have an ocean film screening at home. One to consider is, "A Plastic Ocean" (2016).
🌊Avoid single-use plastics. Practice this to protect the ocean not only on June 8th, but every day!
🌊 If you live by the beach (or want to make a trip in this summer heat) do a mini beach clean up.

Remember, "With every drop of water you drink, every breath you take, you're connected to the sea." -- Sylvia Earle, American Marine Biologist.

World Oceans Day is tomorrow, Tuesday, June 8, 2021! Here are a few ways to celebrate!

🌊 Join a World Oceans Day Activity or Event. Go to unworldoceansday.org/ to view the list of events happening around the globe!
🌊 Have an ocean film screening at home. One to consider is, "A Plastic Ocean" (2016).
🌊Avoid single-use plastics. Practice this to protect the ocean not only on June 8th, but every day!
🌊 If you live by the beach (or want to make a trip in this summer heat) do a mini beach clean up.

Remember, "With every drop of water you drink, every breath you take, you're connected to the sea." -- Sylvia Earle, American Marine Biologist.

06/04/2021

‼️ An #OzoneActionDay has been declared for Sunday, June 6th, 2021 ‼️

Ozone is forecast to reach the unhealthy for sensitive groups category 🔶 for locations along the I-95 corridor and south. Sensitive individuals including the very young, the elderly, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid strenuous activities during the afternoon and early evening hours.

Thanks to our friends "across the hall" at Evaluation & Planning for this update. #AirQuality affects everyone, and teamwork makes the dream work 🤝

‼️ An #OzoneActionDay has been declared for Sunday, June 6th, 2021 ‼️

Ozone is forecast to reach the unhealthy for sensitive groups category 🔶 for locations along the I-95 corridor and south. Sensitive individuals including the very young, the elderly, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid strenuous activities during the afternoon and early evening hours.

Thanks to our friends "across the hall" at Evaluation & Planning for this update. #AirQuality affects everyone, and teamwork makes the dream work 🤝

06/04/2021

Congratulations to the DEP's very own Sustainability Hero, Jennifer Feltis Cortese!! 🥳💚

New Sustainability Hero: Congratulations Jennifer Feltis Cortese!
➡Read more: http://bit.ly/JuneHero2021

For nearly 14 years, Jennifer has worked at New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and she leads 3 Sustainable Jersey Task Forces. #SJhero

ANJEC New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association NJDEP Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability

06/03/2021

Do you belong in a sleek sedan? A sporty crossover?

In just 10 clicks, you can be paired with the electric vehicle that matches your drive 🚗

The perfect #EV is waiting for you. But don't start researching from scratch — our “Find Your EV” quiz is at your service: https://bit.ly/3epK9rV

05/26/2021

Have some extra veggies or food scraps? Collect them in a bag in the freezer and make broth or stock for soups, stews and other recipes whenever you can or whenever you need to. Doing this can reduce food scraps sent to landfill and make a delicious homemade stock. You can get creative with the combination of veggies and ingredients you use or consult a recipe to start with. #TooGoodToWaste

Have some extra veggies or food scraps? Collect them in a bag in the freezer and make broth or stock for soups, stews and other recipes whenever you can or whenever you need to. Doing this can reduce food scraps sent to landfill and make a delicious homemade stock. You can get creative with the combination of veggies and ingredients you use or consult a recipe to start with. #TooGoodToWaste

05/21/2021

Can I recycle polystyrene (also known as "Styrofoam") coffee cups, plates, coolers and packaging material through my curbside recycling program? No! Please do not place any polystyrene items in your curbside recycling bucket, bin or cart. These items are considered "contaminants" in the curbside recycling mix and are not welcome at recycling processing centers. There are two recycling drop-off programs for polystyrene in New Jersey that accept clean, non-food related polystyrene, such as the packing materials used to protect televisions, computers and appliances in shipping. Residents of Sussex County can drop off polystyrene at the county recycling center in Lafayette while residents of Monmouth County can utilize the the polystyrene drop-off program established by Middletown Township. And, remember to bring your polystyrene packing "peanuts" to postal/shipping businesses for reuse. Learn more about recycling at recycle.nj.gov.