Thank you for your interest. You’ve taken the first step toward action. There is a lot that businesses and nonprofits can do to create a more sustainable community.
Thank you for your interest. You’ve taken the first step toward action. There is a lot that businesses and nonprofits can do to create a more sustainable community.
Financial incentives are available to improve energy efficiency. We’ve provided a basic overview. Feel free to reach out to us and we’ll connect you with the right contact for your business.
The state-funded program, Direct Install, pays up to 70% of the project cost to replace lighting, HVAC, and other outdated operational equipment with energy-efficient alternatives. It seems too good to be true, but its not.
There is funding available for you too. The Customer Tailored Energy Efficiency Pilot Program offers a streamlined approach to energy-efficiency upgrade projects and incentives.
Renters can initiate these programs too, but landlord consent is necessary before proceeding with any work on their property.
The Local Government Energy Audit is free service tailored specifically for state colleges, universities, non-profit agencies, and select nonprofits. The resulting report details specific energy efficiency measures and incentives which can help pay for them.
Learn how you can install solar or offset your energy use with renewable energy through a renewable electricity provider.
Benchmarking is a free service that compares your energy usage to similar buildings and offers customized improvement advice. This way you’ll know if your utility bills are too high.
Support commuters with covered bike parking or storage. A locker room lets commuters freshen up before work. Outlets allow e-bikes and e-scooters to recharge.
Depending on your location, a bike-share program can reduce the need to drive to lunch or meetings.
Help your employees learn about bus and train options, as well as carpool, carshare, and rideshare opportunities.
Install EV charging. New Jersey’s It Pay$ to Plug In program provides grants to offset the cost of purchasing and installing charging stations.
Ask your employees what they will use. We are happy to provide a Lunch & Learn event to review the options and then distribute a survey to ascertain interest. Please contact us.
Purchasing sustainable options helps the environment — with significant savings for you. Review the NJDEP’s Green Purchasing Guide for more information.
Why pay for disposable cutlery, straws, and plates? Save money by switching to washable.
Offer water refill stations and space for employees to rinse their bottles or mugs. This eliminates the need for plastic water bottles and disposable coffee cups. If you’re a food establishment, offer a discount for BYO mug, bottle or takeout container.
To prevent contamination, ensure your recycling and/or compost bins are kept with a properly labeled trash can.
Offer recycling services — your patrons will appreciate it.
Clear and consistent signage is vital — check out DIYsigns.
No need to have a trash can at every desk. Keep them in a central location to encourage less waste, and make it easier on your cleaning crew.
Consider partnering with neighboring businesses to reduce collection containers and save money from hauling contracts.
Approximately 25% of what goes to our landfill is food waste. Restaurants, in particular, are well-poised to collect food waste in the kitchen. Need help? We’re here to help you figure this out.
Consider areas of your property that could be planted with meadow grasses. This will support pollinators and birds and, best of all, will save you money from mowing maintenance.
Plenty of native plant options are aesthetically appealing and support the local ecosystem.
Consider whether additional trees can be planted. They provide shade, soak up stormwater and are a carbon sink — just to name a few of the benefits.
Have your landscaper mulch leaves back into your property. This nourishes your soil and can save on the cost of fertilizers.
Consider incorporating a rain garden or bioswales at the edges of parking lots and in other low areas. The more stormwater properties soak up, the less chance of water causing issues elsewhere.
If you don’t maintain your own property, seek out a landscaper that will use electric equipment and sustainable practices. Check out this list.
Looking for additional landscaping tips? Check our Yard guidance.
Be sure to get credit (and free promotion) for your actions. Join one of the following certification programs which provide a helpful roadmap and resources to achieve greater sustainability goals.
Customized for businesses, non-profits, and higher education institutions
Quick Facts:
Thirteen Princeton businesses and nonprofits are registered in the NJ Sustainable Business Registry. Three Princeton restaurants are registered in the Green Restaurant Association.
Since 2017, the Municipality of Princeton has achieved silver-level certification by Sustainable Jersey.
The Climate Action Plan provides a roadmap to reduce Princeton’s contribution to climate change and to prepare for its effects.
The plan requires the collective effort of the entire community — every neighborhood, business, and school — working together to ensure Princeton remains a prosperous and vibrant town for future generations.
The Princeton Climate Action Plan identifies multiple strategies to reduce our emissions from the goods and services we utilize.
Sustainable Princeton is a non-partisan, non-profit organization in Princeton, NJ with a mission to inspire our community to develop and implement solutions that positively impact our environment. It’s our vision that Princeton be a model town that examines every action through the lens of sustainability ensuring a healthy environment, a strong economy, and the wellbeing of all community members now and in the future.
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