Welcome to our explainer series, taking important topics and going deeper! Native vs Invasive Species Healthy ecosystems in the United States are declining. The prevalence of lawns, those huge green monoculture swaths, has become a hallmark of American suburbia. However, this widespread practice, along with urbanization and sprawl since colonial times, has led to a significant loss of habitats. Approximately 71% of land in the contiguous United States is privately owned, much of which is unable to support wildlife as effectively as natural habitats. In addition, and perhaps as a result, invasi ..read more

Going Electric Without a Home Charger Arundhati and Sarthak moved to Princeton in 2021 with a leased vehicle. When the lease was coming to an end, they started to think about what their next car would be and if they should get a gas-powered vehicle or an Electric Vehicle (EV). Sarthak shared, “We were thinking of our four-year-old daughter, all grown up, and asking us why, when you had the option between an EV and a gas-powered vehicle, you went with gas?” They knew this was a question they did not want to face, so they decided to get an EV in February 2023. Arundhati and Sarthak decide ..read more

Sustainable Princeton’s STAR Neighborhoods are springing into action this year with several activities and events. The Laurel and Mt. Lucas STAR Neighborhood recently hosted a two-part workshop series on reducing food waste. They received a STAR mini-grant to fund the costs of the project materials. In their mini-grant application, the neighborhood referenced the Harvard School of Public Health’s website, which states that reducing food waste results in “reduced methane emissions from landfills and a lower carbon footprint.” The neighborhood leaders organized a two-part workshop with the ove ..read more

Welcome to our explainer series, taking important topics and going deeper! What is Green Infrastructure? We have all noticed the effects of increased rainfall and flooding. Likewise, we are probably all familiar with ‘grey infrastructure,’ gutters, pipes, and tunnels that move stormwater to treatment plants or larger bodies of water. However, this aging infrastructure is decreasingly effective at managing more significant volumes of stormwater and is not sustainable or bolstering resilience. So, what is green infrastructure? New Jersey’s Stormwater Management rules at N.J.A.C. 7:8-1.2 define ..read more

Car-Free Family: Shridevi and Priyabrat Would you be able to go car-free for a week? A month? A year? Well, Shridevi, Priyabrat, and their two kids have been car-free since 2016! This family bikes everywhere in Princeton, to school, work, the Shopping Center, and more! When biking is impossible, they rely on public transportation, Uber, and Lyft. They push the boundaries on what an average person would consider bikeable! Where It Started Growing up in India, Priyabrat was used to biking everywhere because cars were a luxury item. It was part of his life to bike to school and the ..read more

This year, we held our first Sustainable Home Expo, and it was a HUGE success! Thank you to all of the vendors/organizations that tabled and connected with residents, speakers that shared their knowledge during the educational sessions, Thai Cha Chak for providing food, Princeton Center for Modern Aging for hosting us, volunteers for running the kid’s activities, the computer room, and general event help, and of course all of YOU for attending! Attendees were able to speak directly with sustainable contractors, landscapers, solar professionals, and resources to learn about upgrades they c ..read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2024 Elana Berk Communications & Outreach Manager Sustainable Princeton (609) 454-4757 elana@sustainableprinceton.org Sustainable Princeton Rebrands S.T.A.R. Neighborhood Program The new program prioritizes community collaboration over competition [Princeton, NJ]: Launched in 2019, the S.T.A.R. Neighborhood program gives Princeton residents the opportunity to actively participate in building a more sustainable, together, and resilient community. S.T.A.R. Neighborhoods are part of a community of sustainably-minded and engaged neighbors with access to specia ..read more

Contractors and experts all under one roof for the first time FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2024 Elana Berk Communications & Outreach Manager  Sustainable Princeton  (609) 454-4757 elana@sustainableprinceton.org [Princeton, NJ]: Sustainable Princeton is hosting its first-ever Sustainable Home Expo on March 9 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Suzanne Patterson Center in Princeton. The Expo is focused on helping Princeton residents take the first steps to make their homes more sustainable by gathering local home improvement contractors, solar installers, landscapers, and more. In additio ..read more

Heidi's Home Welcome to Heidi’s Home! Heidi is a long-time Princeton resident and a LEED-accredited architect with a passion for her profession. Back in 1999, she met others doing a pilot program in green architecture, and the minute she heard about it, she had a lightning bolt moment. She has always been a person who loves the outdoors and has a connection with nature, so when she heard about this program, she knew it would be her perfect fit. Along with being an architect, Heidi was a member of the Princeton Environmental Commission and a board member of Sustainable Princeton. She was al ..read more

Welcome to our explainer series, taking important topics and going deeper! What is Community Solar? Also called solar farms, roofless solar, or shared solar, community solar projects are large, central solar arrays that generate electricity. They provide benefits of solar to those who are not able to install rooftop solar, because, for example, they are renters, have too much shade, or are unable to afford the cost. Each subscriber receives billing credits for sections of a larger solar array. What are the benefits? First, it expands access to solar energy. Installing rooftop solar is not ..read more