DEP COMMENDS NEW MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY SUSTAINABILITY
REGISTRY FOR BEING COMMUNITY LEADERS

(19/P004) TRENTON – A beachfront restaurant helping protect the ocean with a no-straw policy, a brewery helping to mitigate climate change by keeping waste out of local landfills, and a funeral home supporting New Jersey’s clean energy economy by installing solar power are just some of the New Jersey businesses being recognized this year for becoming members of the New Jersey Sustainable Business Registry.

Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park, Monmouth County; Angry Erik Brewing in Lafayette, Sussex County; and Prout Funeral Home in Verona, Essex County, are among the more than 40 businesses being honored for joining the New Jersey Sustainable Business Registry in 2018. Each received a certification of innovation in sustainability from the Department of Environmental Protection.

“We commend these businesses for their commitment to being leaders in their communities by doing the right thing for the environment,” said DEP Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe. “In addition to setting an example for all of us to follow, they are demonstrating how making wise choices about the environment not only conserves resources, it saves money – something we can all appreciate.”

The New Jersey Sustainable Business Registry was created through a partnership among the DEP, the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers and Rutgers University. Since the registry’s inception, more than 150 businesses and other organizations have identified and implemented at least five environmental practices required to receive recognition. The concept for the registry was developed by the DEP’s Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability Program.

These efforts have saved these businesses a total of $5.7 million. Moreover, they have reduced water use by 12.5 million gallons and reduced emissions of greenhouse gases by nearly 8,600 metric tons, proving that collectively small steps can add up to big environmental benefits.

“The registry is important because it legitimizes the efforts of businesses to do green,” said Billy Millington, President of The Millington Group, a Red Bank-based financial planning firm that is new to the list. “The New Jersey Sustainable Business Registry has provided The Millington Group with a platform by which it can promote its business and support the environment simultaneously. We have been able to align ourselves with other businesses with the same mission and drive for change.”

As it pertains to business practices, the driving force behind the idea of sustainability is that through careful planning and wise use of resources, businesses can make decisions that reduce waste, save energy and cut down water consumption – all while preserving resources for the future.

Examples include implementing green building practices, purchasing and selling products that are grown or developed sustainably, installing renewable energy and energy-saving lights, and planning purchases of perishable foods carefully to reduce waste.

The goals of the New Jersey Sustainable Business Registry include:

• Recognizing and promoting sustainable businesses;
• Helping businesses implement sustainable practices through no-cost sustainability consultants;
• Sharing resources on sustainability to educate and encourage all businesses to adopt green practices;
• Helping consumers make choices about businesses based on their commitment to the environment.

Newly added members are:

A Small Green Space LLC, Jersey City, Hudson County; ACT Engineers, Robbinsville, Mercer County; Adams Party Rental, Hamilton, Mercer County; Alementary Brewing Co., Hackensack, Bergen County; Angry Erik Brewery, Lafayette, Sussex County; Atlantic Health System - Chilton Medical Center, Pompton Plains, Morris County; Atlantic Health System - Hackettstown Medical Center, Hackettstown, Warren County; Atlantic Health System – Newton Medical Center, Newton, Sussex County; Atlantic Health System – Overlook Medical Center, Summit, Union County; and Canntech LLC, West Orange, Essex County.

Also, Cherry Grove Farm, Lawrenceville, Mercer County; Cherry Street Kitchen LLC, Trenton, Mercer County; Double Take Boutique Ridgewood, Ridgewood, Bergen County; Double Take Boutique Short Hills, Short Hills, Essex County; Electric Spokes, Verona, Essex County; Exquisite Property Services, Newark, Essex County; ForDoz Pharm, East Windsor, Mercer County; Gina the Baker, Ridgefield Park, Bergen County; Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County and Greater Trenton Princeton, Maple Shade, Burlington County; Henderson Lumber Mills Inc., Jersey City, Hudson County; Hogan Security Group, Pennington, Mercer County; Hogan Self Storage, Pennington, Mercer County and IKEA Distribution Services, Westampton, Burlington County.

Also, J. Ambrogi Foods, Thorofare, Gloucester County; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Raritan, Somerset County; Karmic Seed, Clifton, Passaic County; Langosta Lounge, Asbury Park, Monmouth County; Montclair State University, Montclair, Essex County; New Jersey American Water, Short Hills, Essex County; Paint Passion, Red Bank, Monmouth County; Princeton Public Library, Princeton, Mercer County; Prout Funeral Home, Verona, Essex County; Red Bank Smiles, Red Bank, Monmouth County; Saint Peter's University, Jersey City, Hudson County

Sustainable Princeton Inc., Princeton, Mercer County; Taft Communications, Lawrenceville, Mercer County; Teaneck Creek Conservancy, Teaneck, Bergen County; The Millington Group, Red Bank, Monmouth County; Tomfoolery Brewing, Hammonton, Atlantic County; Veranda Technologies, Brick, Ocean County; Windsor Nissan, West Windsor, Mercer County; and Zed’s Beer, Marlton, Burlington County.

For more information from the DEP as well as sustainable business guides, visit www.nj.gov/dep/aqes/sustainability.html

DEP PHOTO/Billy Millington, President of The Millington Group, Red Bank

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