Woodbridge project seeks to save planet, money

Greenable Woodbridge is part of the New Jersey League of Municipalities' "Sustainable Jersey" certification program, which provides financial assistance to communities that want to go "green" and sustain their quality for future generations.

"We believe the government has to set the example for our citizens, that being environmentally conscious and sensitive is appropriate in today's society," Mayor John E. McCormac said, explaining why Woodbridge signed up.

Many of the community initiatives coming out of Township Hall — including the Mayors' Wellness Campaign and the Downtown Farmer's Markets — have been redeemable for sustainability points.

According to the program's Web site, health campaigns help control healthcare costs while farmer's markets allow residents to buy locally and reduce transportation emissions.

As part of ongoing educational efforts, the Woodbridge Arts Guild will demonstrate to children how to turn recyclables into art during the Downtown Farmer's Market on Main Street at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Children will learn how reusing items reduces the need to produce more of them, thereby reducing their carbon footprint, or the amount of greenhouse gases a person is responsible for producing.

Families are getting in on the act by filling out the township's "Take the Green Challenge" form, which lists 31 activities residents can do to reduce their carbon footprint, including using cold water for laundry, using ceramic dishes instead of disposables, carpooling and installing solar panels.

Caroline Ehrlich, the mayor's chief of staff and the coordinator for Greenable Woodbridge, said 1,638 challenges, representing 7,114 people, have been submitted so far.

Developers coming into Township Hall have been receiving information on how to build greener and how to apply for state grants awarded to builders who use solar energy panels and weatherized windows.

The township has also:

Begun replacing its fleets of vehicles with hybrid cars, which burn less fossil fuel.

Opened a Convenience Center in Keasbey for people to turn in bulk waste items such as computers, which cannot be left on the curb.

Moved on a $5.5 million project to install solar panels on six municipal buildings, with the goal of producing 12 to 15 percent of the township's energy needs.

Started a tree-replacement program.

Set its sights on turning more than 100 acres in Keasbey into a business "incubator," or an industrial park, for eco-industries.

While taking steps to help the environment is a laudable goal, the mayor said that must be balanced with helping taxpayers.

"Fortunately, things like buying hybrid cars saves enough money to cover the increase in costs," McCormac said. "If solar panels cost us money, we wouldn't do it."

Other municipalities participating in "Sustainable Jersey" include East Brunswick, Edison, Franklin, Highland Park, Metuchen, Milltown, Monroe, North Brunswick, Rahway, Old Bridge and Plainfield.

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