Current Projects | Sustainable Princeton

Landscape Transition Fund

Over the last year, Sustainable Princeton has been proud to be the organizer of the grant-funded project, Changing the Landscape, which seeks to improve the health of the environment and workers’ health through adopting sustainable landscaping practices. This project included several meetings with members of Princeton’s landscaping community, elected officials, and environmental advocates to ensure that the voices of those most impacted by any proposed rule changes were involved in the decision-making process. The ordinance changes passed by Princeton Council on October 25, 2021, represent an important first step in transitioning away from fossil fuel-powered equipment. This policy change is just one piece of the puzzle, but it has real and immediate positive impacts.

To build upon these changes and the effort put forth by our project partners, Sustainable Princeton has established a fund to incentivize the transition to battery-powered lawn care equipment by providing financial assistance to the landscaping community. Community members have generously donated to this fund to support local businesses as they adopt more sustainable practices, including the use of cleaner, quieter equipment.

Thank you to our generous donors

Apply Today.

Landscapers are invited to review the eligibility criteria below and submit an application for the Landscape Equipment Transition Fund, in English or Spanish, using the following links:

Application – Landscape Equipment Transition Fund

Formulario de Solicitud – Fondo de transición para maquinaria de jardinería

Equipment Fund Flyer

Landscaping-Handout-May-2022

Download PDF

Equipment Transition Fund Guiding Principles.

The fund should benefit those most impacted by the restrictions on use of gas-powered equipment — our community’s small landscaping businesses — with distributional equity in mind, ensuring that burdens and benefits are fairly distributed with priority to those with the highest need.
Landscape companies that meet simple requirements will be reimbursed when they provide proof of purchase of a single piece of battery-powered equipment (such as, but not limited to examples found on AGZA.net – blower, string trimmer, hedge trimmer, mower, etc.), and compatible batteries and chargers.

Eligibility Criteria.

Reimbursements of up to $500 are available to landscaping businesses that:

Have 10 or fewer employees,
Serve at least 10 customers in Princeton, and are
Registered with the Municipality (Registration protects your business from unfair competition and protects workers).

Funding Timeline.

Funds will be distributed beginning January 5, 2022, on a first-come, first-serve basis via a simple application posted on this webpage.
Equipment must be purchased after October 25, 2021, and a valid receipt or proof of purchase must be provided.
After completing the online form, Sustainable Princeton will reply to applicants within 1 business day to confirm receipt of the application.
Funds that are not distributed by December 31, 2022, will be used for general education regarding sustainable landscaping.

Additional Terms and Conditions.

Recipients of grants must agree to provide feedback on their use of the equipment and document that the equipment is in use after 6 months.
Funding recipients will be shared on Sustainable Princeton’s website and associated marketing materials in order to celebrate the steps they are taking to reduce dependence on gas-powered equipment.
Limited to 1 reimbursement per business entity registered with the Municipality.

Sustainable Princeton reserves the right to adjust conditions for fund distribution to ensure the fund meets its intended goals and stays true to the articulated guiding principles.

Certified Electric Equipment

Looking for a list of AGZA-certified landscaping equipment? Click below.