Hillsborough Township Repeats as Statewide Sustainability Champion

Marks 11th Straight Silver-Level Certification from Sustainable Jersey

Hillsborough Township’s award-winning sustainability program was again recognized at the Sustainable Jersey Annual Luncheon on November 18, 2025, in Atlantic City during the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference. Hillsborough earned the title of Sustainability Champion for the most points in the Large Municipality (40,000+ population) category for the second consecutive year. The Township also achieved Silver-Level Certification for the 11th consecutive year, meeting the highest level of recognition in the Sustainable Jersey program.

“I am honored to celebrate this remarkable achievement of earning the Sustainable Jersey Large Municipality Champion Award for the second year in a row. Hillsborough is now one of only five municipalities in New Jersey to repeat as a back-to-back Champion—a distinction that reflects our community’s leadership, innovation, and long-standing commitment to sustainability. These accolades are made possible by the efforts of our Sustainable Hillsborough Steering Committee, municipal staff, local businesses, and residents,” stated Mayor John Ciccarelli.

To become Sustainable Jersey certified at the Silver Level, Hillsborough submitted documentation to show it had completed a balance of the required sustainability actions, meeting a minimum of 350 action points. In addition to reaching 350 points, each community must create a green team and select at least three out of fourteen priority action options. These options include: climate adaptation: flooding risk, community equity and diversity profile, diversity on boards & commissions, energy efficiency for municipal facilities, energy tracking & management, fleet inventory, green business recognition program, municipal carbon footprint, municipal water story, natural resource inventory, prescription drug safety and disposal, recycling and waste reduction education and compliance, sustainable land use pledge, and/or a water conservation ordinance.

This year’s achievement represents the following for Hillsborough Township:

• Back-to-Back Large Municipality Champion Award – 2nd consecutive year as New Jersey’s top-scoring large municipality.
• 11th consecutive Silver-Level Certification – the highest level of recognition awarded by Sustainable Jersey.
• 845 total points earned, breaking Hillsborough’s previous record of 830 points set in 2024.
• 71 actions completed, tying the Township’s record high from 2024.
• Actions completed in 17 of 18 certification categories.
• 14 total Sustainable Jersey certifications (2009–2025).
• Most certified municipality in Somerset County (2009–2025).
• The second most certified municipality in New Jersey (2009–2025).

Some of the notable sustainability initiatives and programs for which the Township received recognition in the 2025 recertification included the annual Green Living & Wellness Fair, the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge monarch butterfly initiatives, a free composting education and giveaway class, the “Shorts in Winter” short film festival highlighting Hillsborough filmmakers, a Municipal Water Story and community survey, Creative Assets Inventory, bicycle/pedestrian improvement projects, and the yearly Halloween costume swap.

“Hillsborough has been an active participant in the Sustainable Jersey program since its inception in 2009. We are thrilled to be recognized for yet another Silver Certification and as the recipient of the Large Group Champions Award and the Gold Star in Health. Thank you to Sustainable Jersey for recognizing the Township’s dedication towards creating a thriving, resilient community for all our residents socially, economically, and environmentally,” said Samantha Ball, Hillsborough Township Assistant Planner and Sustainability Program Manager.

After more than a decade of growth and success, Sustainable Jersey has announced a year-long refresh of its certification program to ensure it remains cutting-edge, impactful, and responsive to the needs of New Jersey’s municipalities. In 2026, Sustainable Jersey will pause its annual certification cycle to rebuild its website, streamline and update program actions, and enhance the overall certification experience for participating communities.

“Despite the pause in the certification cycle, Hillsborough Township will continue advancing its award-winning Sustainable Hillsborough program,” said Mayor John Ciccarelli. “Our community’s commitment to sustainability remains unwavering—we’ll use this time to strengthen ongoing initiatives, explore new opportunities, and prepare for the next generation of Sustainable Jersey. We look forward to the refreshed program in 2027, and the new tools it will bring to help communities like ours continue leading the way in environmental stewardship and innovation.”

About Sustainable Hillsborough: The award-winning Sustainable Hillsborough Project was initiated by the Township Committee in 2006. Hillsborough Township was one of the first thirty-four “pioneer towns” to enter the Sustainable Jersey program in 2009. To date, Hillsborough Township has achieved fourteen certifications in seventeen years, leading all towns in Somerset County, and is the second most certified town in all of New Jersey since the municipal certification program began in 2009. Hillsborough Township is the first Somerset County municipality to achieve the title of Sustainability Champion and Gold Star in Health. Hillsborough Township strives to save tax dollars, assure clean land, air, and water, and improve working and living environments as steps to building a sustainable community that will thrive well into the new century.

About Sustainable Jersey: Sustainable Jersey provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. As New Jersey faces issues such as the climate crisis, a growing equity divide, and environmental pollution, municipalities want to be a part of the solution to these challenges. Sustainable Jersey participants (municipalities and schools) have successfully implemented and documented over 28,000 sustainability actions. Sustainable Jersey has provided over $8.1 million in grants to municipalities, school districts, and schools for community-based projects that create healthy and sustainable communities in New Jersey. For more information, visit www.SustainableJersey.com. ###