About Newark
Newark is the largest city in New Jersey, with over 270,000 residents. Newark’s Sustainability Office “supports policies and programs that improve public health and quality of life, drive down costs through better stewardship of resources, and expand green job and business opportunities for Newarkers.”
Deliverables
- Created a STEW-MAP to connect community organizations who exhibit environment stewardship
- Developed infographics, posters, and post cards worked to provide information related to Newark’s Sustainability Action Plan, with the goal of creating a clean, green, healthy, prepared, and engaged community
About Montclair State University Facilities
This was the first year that Montclair State University (MSU) Facilities Department worked with the Green Teams. Team MSU Facilities worked on various projects regarding water sustainability on campus.
Deliverables
- research different trends of current water-efficient fixtures
- Calculate Return on Investments (ROI) on replacement fixtures for various buildings on campus
- Helped build a rainwater collection system for the Campus Community Garden
- Designed topographic map using GIS software to install rainwater collection systems to help curb flooding on campus
- researched and created a presentation to help aid resident assistants on campus to teach their students how to consume water more sustainably
About Newark Science and Sustainability
Newark SAS’ mission is to combine social entrepreneurship with environmental awareness and sustainability to improve the culture of health of Newark residents. The non-profit is led by Tobias Fox, and aims to “implement various initiatives to increase awareness of environmental, ecological and wellness issues through educational programs and hands-on activities”. This is the first year Newark SAS has participated with the Green Teams.
Deliverables
- Created best-practices guide for urban farm planning management
- Connected key partners who are involved in food initiatives across Northern New Jersey
- Designed sustainable energy park that can be implemented into reality
- implemented a plan to expand a Farm-to-Table Co-op
- Developed a plan for tackling the food insecurity in Newark by envisioning a “food oasis”
About New Jersey Natural Gas
This is New Jersey Natural Gas’ first year participating in the Green Teams program. Their company’s mission is to “promote increased emphasis on personal energy awareness and sustainable energy behaviors”. The company aims to promote a more responsible use of energy as well as working together to create a positive change.
Deliverables
- Generated renewable natural gas infrastructure feasibility study
- developed various financial and environmental models for different biogas resources throughout New Jersey
- Analyzed the different incentives that were needed to drive market demand for RNG to New Jersey
- Determined the effect of RNG on Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) at different levels of penetration,
- Researched successful RNG projects around the United States to validate the most beneficial ways to implement RNG in New Jersey
Outcomes
- Dyer, A.; Miller, A.C.; Chandra, B.; Galindo, J.; Tran, C.; Bates, J.; Olivier, V.; Tuininga, A.R. The Feasibility of Renewable Natural Gas in New Jersey. Sustainability 2021, 13, 1618.
About New Jersey Natural Gas
This is New Jersey Natural Gas’ first year participating in the Green Teams program. Their company’s mission is to “promote increased emphasis on personal energy awareness and sustainable energy behaviors”. The company aims to promote a more responsible use of energy as well as working together to create a positive change.
Deliverables
- Worked in collaboration with NJNG employees to design and create an application for the “Amazon Alexa”
- Designed and developed a “skill”/prototype for the Amazon Alexa where when prompted the Alexa can talk to customers about energy saving and safety tips
- Created a “roadmap for the future” that offered suggestions for NJNG employees to implement in the future in regards to this application
- offered recommendations on how to best maintain the “Amazon Alexa” application and how to communicate the availability of the skills to customers
- Offered coaching assistance to staff regarding the ability to refresh content to ensure that it remains accurate throughout the years
Deliverables
- Created industry-specific analysis of competitors in terms of Environmental, Social, and Governance factors (ESG’s)
- research international benchmarking and regulatory requirements for the regions where PGIM Real Estate assets are located to enable PGIM Real Estate to be informed of any regulations that may hinder or help the company
- determine PGIM Real Estate’s most at risk occupied properties along with the top water related risks affecting these properties by utilizing aqueduct and measurable applications
About PSEG
Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) is New Jersey’s oldest and largest investor owned utility. They are a regulated gas and electric utility company serving 2.2 million electric customers and 1.8 million gas customers, approximately 70 percent of the state’s population. Headquartered in Newark, NJ, they have approximately $35 billion in assets and $11 billion in revenues.
Deliverables
- Mapped the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Global Reporting Initiatives (GRIs), and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to PSEG programs
- completed five SDG information sheets for PSEG to use in the 2019 Sustainability Report
- Created infographics to spread awareness about the SDGs and inform those in the
- company as well as the general public that PSEG is working to achieve the SDGs.
- Compiled a list of initiatives for PSEG to implement into their company to help align with the 2030 sustainable development goals.
About Sussex County Municipal Utility Authority – Foam Cycle
This is Sussex County Municipal Utility Authority’s first year participating in the Green Teams Internship Program. Foam Cycle is an initiative out of the Sussex County Municipal Authority and aims to reduce the amount of styrofoam by creating something with it instead.
Deliverables
- Aided the company in creating a waste diversion circular economy + start up business from recyclables
- Calculated disposal charge savings
- Calculated Return on Investment (ROI)
- Analyzed costs and associating time to recover costs of proposed sustainability projects.
- Examined current partnership to suggest areas where SCMUA and Foam cycle can grow to further their sustainable practices.
- Developed promotional strategies