As we wrap up 2022 and our first year of Green News, the Green Team would like to thank the Town administration and various departments for their support and cooperation and everyone who attended our events, volunteered, or simply tried one new sustainable practice this year.

Take Advantage of Recycling Programs at the Conservation Center this Season

Residents can take advantage of a wide variety of recycling programs at the Westfield Conservation Center, including free recycling drop-off of the following items:

• Christmas trees (January through March only)
• String lights, including broken Christmas lights, which can be brought to the electronics collection bin

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

Giving Sustainably

Holiday gift giving can be both stressful and incredibly wasteful. From wrapping paper, unwanted gifts, food waste, decorations, and more, Americans toss out about 25% more trash during the holidays than any other time of year.

Consider going low waste this year with our top 10 green gift giving suggestions.

Tackling Food Waste

A big part of the holiday season involves gatherings of family and friends and, of course, food. Unfortunately, much of the food purchased between Thanksgiving and New Year’s goes to waste.

Learn more about what Westfield residents can do to turn food waste into a valuable resource. 

Our 2022 Impact

• 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.
• 7 tons of gently used items donated by 150 residents were taken for reuse at our 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 our 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 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.
• Our 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. 

Green Team in the News

For the third year in a row, the Town of Westfield has been awarded Silver Certification from Sustainable New Jersey. Municipalities that earn this certification are considered by their peers, state government, experts, and civic organizations in New Jersey to be among the leading communities in the state taking steps towards sustainability. 
 
Additionally, 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%.

Share the Green

Encourage family and friends who may be interested in hearing about local green opportunities to sign up for our quarterly newsletter. It’s easy:

• Visit the Town Updates page on the Town website
• Enter your email address, followd by “Sign in”
• Select the email icon for the “Green Team” under “Notify Me” as well as for any other topics you’re interested in receiving updates on
• Confirm your selection(s) by clicking the confirmation link sent to your email

 
We’re hoping to make 2023 even greener! If you have feedback, including ideas for next year, or would like to get involved, please email greenteam@westfieldnj.gov.