Upcoming Public Hearing - Van Keuren LLC Proposal Is Bad For Jersey City, Please Weigh In !

Van Keuran LLC. is planning to build a TS / MRF (Trash Station/Material Recovery Facility) around St.Paul's and Tonnelle Avenue. While this sounds like another run-of-the-mill environmentally friendly trash sorting “Community Benefits Project”, it’s actually very harmful to the residents, commuters, and the environment.The proposed location of the facility sits within a mile of several School, Church, Senior Housing, Park and Childcare facilities and is being built in an already overburdened community. The public hearing for the (TS / MRF) is currently scheduled for April 28, 2026 at 6:00 PM and we want to inform the community at-large that this is NOT OK and ask for your support in turning out for the Public Hearing, either in-person or via Zoom, even if you do not live in Ward C or Ward D. This proposed facility will have negative environmental impacts that will reach across the entire city of Jersey City, e.g., air quality !

Here’s What You Need To Know

What is a Transfer Station (TS) and Material Recovery Facility (MRF)?

A Transfer Station is where garbage trucks dump their loads before the waste is hauled away to its final destination. A Material Recovery Facility sorts recyclables. Together, they mean a constant, heavy stream of large commercial trucks — diesel-burning, noise-producing, road-damaging trucks rolling through our streets every single day. AND this facility is not just managing Jersey City Material Wastes - it is a REGIONAL FACILITY !

The Traffic Problem Is Real

Van Keuran Avenue and the surrounding streets were not designed to absorb industrial truck traffic at this scale. Our neighborhood already deals with congestion from Routes 1 & 9 and the Turnpike corridor. Adding a waste facility to this mix means more idling trucks, longer commutes for residents, dangerous conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, and accelerated wear on local roads that the city will then have to repair.

This is what happens every time a facility like this opens in an urban neighborhood. The trucks don't use highways exclusively. They use our streets.

[NOTE: Jersey City already has 2 other IWS owned Transfer Facilities for Solid & Hazardous Waste (Regional) on the Westside of Jersey - we do not need another.]

Environmental Justice Is the Real Issue

Under New Jersey's landmark Environmental Justice Law,  the community by Van Keuren community qualifies as an overburdened community. Under NJ's Environmental Justice Law, an overburdened community is one where at least 35% of households qualify as low-income, at least 40% of residents identify as minority, or at least 40% of households have limited English proficiency.  The law exists precisely because communities like ours have historically been chosen as dumping grounds for the infrastructure nobody else wants. New Jersey's Environmental Justice Law addresses environmental permits issued in overburdened communities and how the state intends to protect vulnerable residents from bearing a disproportionate share of adverse environmental and public health consequences. 

Distinguished Transfer Stations and MRFs are explicitly named as Community Environmental Stressors under this law. The law defines environmental and public health stressors to include concentrated areas of air pollution, mobile sources of air pollution, contaminated sites, transfer stations and other solid waste facilities, recycling facilities, scrap yards, and point-sources of water pollution, as well as conditions that may cause public health impacts such as asthma, cancer, elevated blood lead levels, cardiovascular disease, and developmental problems.  Our neighborhood already has its share of these stressors – adding another one will only pile on these issues.

What the Law Allows — And What You Can Do

Here's the powerful part: Under its pioneering Environmental Legislation, New Jersey is the first state in the nation required to issue permit denials for new facilities that cannot avoid disproportionate impacts on overburdened communities or serve a compelling public interest. That means this permit can be denied. But the NJDEP has to hear from us first !

At the April 28th Public Hearing, the permit applicant - Van Keuren LLC - must provide clear and complete information about the proposed facility and the potential environmental and public health stressors associated with it. The applicant must accept written and oral comments from any interested party, provide a meaningful opportunity for public participation, and subsequently respond to every comment / question presented either in-person or in writing, . Following the hearing, NJDEP must consider the testimony presented and any oral and written comments received and documented before making a permit decision.

Sustainable Jersey City has retained the Eastern Environmental Law Center to assist us and Jersey City in pushing back on this very bad idea - here are their insights and helpful talking points to further educate the public.

• Please not there will be a Community Education Meeting via Zoom closer to the date of the Public Hearing hosted by Councilman Jake and Councilman Tom Zuppa - date tbd so stay tuned👍

That means April 28th at 6pm is your moment. Come to the hearing as body count matters - we need to fill the room ! Speak on the record. Bring your neighbors. Bring your concerns. Every comment becomes part of the official record that NJDEP must weigh.

If you can not attend in-person please plan to attend via Zoom - instructions will be sent in response to email requests sent to publichearing@complianceplusservices.com or or Click “Attend Meeting Virtually” via Van Keuren’s website here https://www.complianceplusservices.com/Van-Keuren.  [If you encounter any issues write to Suhhas.Vittal@SustainableJC.org]

Written comments should be sent to: Van Keuren, LLC., c/o Compliance Plus Services, 240 Gibraltar Road, Ste. 100, Horsham, PA 19044.

• The  Public Comment Period is from March 27, 2026 through May 28, 2026. The  Public Hearing Date is on April 28, 2026 from 6PM to 8PM - in person @ The Hall (Moose Hall) on the West Side, 60 West Side Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07305 . 

• Van Keuren LLC Public Notice - English Version

• Van Keuren LLC Public Notice - Spanish Version

Jersey City is only as strong as our weakest link - please participate in this process to push back on this proposed facility in this overburdened neighbhorhood on our West Side, to deny Van Keuren LLC an operating permit here in JC, EVEN IF YOU DON’T LIVE IN WARD C OR IN WARD D. We do not want them here.

Suhas Vittal is a Core Team Member for Sustainable JC. He was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ, and is a graduate of NJCU, where he received his BA in Marketing & Public Relations. He is passionate about educating and encouraging others to care about the environment and to make sustainable lifestyle choices. 

Run for the Love of Our Hearts: Why the 2026 JC Valentine’s Half Marathon Matters

February is National Heart Health Month and in Jersey City, heart health is deeply connected to the places we live, move, and breathe in.

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in Jersey City and Hudson County, with roughly one in five local deaths linked to cardiovascular disease. These impacts are not felt evenly. Neighborhoods with higher exposure to traffic and air pollution, fewer trees and green spaces, and limited access to safe places to exercise and shelter from extreme heat, are more at risk.  These more vulnerable populations experience increased rates of high blood pressure, heart disease, and preventable hospitalizations.

Environmental conditions play a powerful role in heart health. Short-term exposure to poor air quality can raise blood pressure and trigger heart attacks or irregular heart rhythms. Long-term exposure increases the risk of chronic cardiovascular disease and stroke. Heat waves further strain the heart, especially in environmental justice communities, where escape from extreme weather conditions are often more limited or non-existent

That’s why Sustainable Jersey City is proud to partner with CityTri to host our 3rd Annual JC Valentine’s Half Marathon | 10K |  5K, returning on Sunday morning February 8th to Lincoln Park. More than a race, this event brings people together to move their bodies, build community, and raise critical funds to support local work at the intersection of heart health, air quality, and environmental justice.

Movement is one of the most effective ways to protect heart health. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, yet only about one in five adults and teens meet that goal. Events like the JC Valentine’s Run create joyful, inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get moving while reinforcing that healthy choices are easier when communities are designed to support them.

Proceeds from the race directly support Sustainable Jersey City’s efforts to:

• Raise awareness about air quality and cardiovascular health

• Expand access to neighborhood-level air quality information

• Advance environmental and public health solutions in communities most impacted by pollution and heat

Whether you’re running, walking, volunteering, or cheering from the sidelines, every mile helps build a healthier, more resilient Jersey City.

Thank You to Our Sponsors & Community Partners

The JC Valentine’s Day Half Marathon is made possible through the generous support of local sponsors and community partners who share a commitment to heart health, sustainability, and a healthier Jersey City.

We are proud to recognize Impact3P and NJCU as our Bronze Sponsors and Hartz Mountain and the Coalition for Food & Healthy Equity as our Green Sponsors. Their support helps power this event during National Heart Health Month and directly advances Sustainable Jersey City’s work at the intersection of environmental health, air quality, and community well-being.

We also extend our sincere thanks to our community partners, whose outreach, advocacy, and grassroots engagement help bring this event to life ✨  A warm salute to you all - Jane DO, Lavish, Chaconia Candles, The View, Healthier JC, Bike JC, Hudson TMA, Fleet Feet, Jersey City Times, Deliverance Children’s Ministry / Rose Avenue Urban Farm, Hudson County Chamber of Commerce and JCFamilies !

Together, these partners help amplify the message that movement, clean air, and healthy neighborhoods are essential to heart health.

There’s still time to get involved. Sponsorship opportunities remain available for organizations and businesses looking to support cardiovascular health, environmental justice, and sustainability in Jersey City.

To learn more about our JC Valentine’s Run, fundraiser and awareness campaign visit our event page - Sponsorship and Volunteer Opportunities, Race Registration & Brunch Reservations, and Donation information👍

Dorothy Hoffman is one of SJC’s Core Team Leads using her talents to advance our newsletter program and our policy agenda. Her passion around community and civic engagement has added energy to our growing organization, which we truly appreciate. Dorothy works as a Public Policy professional and has most recently served as a Board Member & Elections Chair of HPNA. She also has a storied past in coalition building and leading impactful community initiatives in the other cities she has lived in prior to moving to Jersey City.

Sustainably Speaking - How You Can Support the Role of Businesses in the Sustainability Movement

Businesses nowadays are recognizing their role in the climate crisis. Many of them are finding new innovative ways to fight climate change through sustainability.

Individual efforts, while important, are not sufficient to address climate change, which is primarily driven by the actions of a small percentage of the world's richest people. Businesses, particularly multinational corporations, have recognized the financial benefits of sustainability practices, such as waste reduction, using renewable energy, and designing eco-friendly products. Many of them have even appointed a CSO (Chief Sustainability Officer) alongside their CEO and CFO, and many are adopting a circular economy model, which positively impacts their bottom line and increases their brand value.

What Can We Do To Support These Ongoing Efforts?

There are three action items that people can take to help companies in their fight against climate change.

1. ♻️ Participate in the Circular Economy

Many of the ongoing efforts are aimed at shifting from a "take-make-dispose" model to a circular one. Consumers can directly support this by closing the loop by actively using Take-Back and Trade-In Programs: When a company like Apple, Patagonia, or IKEA offers to buy back, trade in, or take back your old product, participate. These programs are essential to ensure the materials re-enter the supply chain instead of a landfill and they usually offer an incentive like discounts and/or loyalty points.

Choose Repair, Refurbished, and Secondhand. When your device breaks or garment is damaged, choose the company's repair service (like Patagonia's or device manufacturers') over replacement. This validates the business case for designing repairable products.

When you need a new item (especially electronics), choose a certified refurbished product. This directly supports the company's "Product Life Extension" initiatives.

Follow disposal instructions by putting waste in the proper receptacle. When a product or package has complex recycling or composting instructions, take the extra step to follow them correctly. For example, rinsing a container or separating materials ensures the company's sustainable packaging investment pays off.

Ultimately, the greatest support for resource efficiency is simply reducing overall consumption. By choosing durability, owning fewer items, and sharing/renting where possible, you validate the core circular principle of reducing demand for new materials.

2. Amplify Your Voice (and Their Efforts)

For every company that takes a sustainability risk, there are many others waiting to see if it pays off. Your voice and purchasing patterns provide crucial evidence and an incentive for other players in the marketplace to follow suit.

One of these ways is by publicly acknowledging and rewarding their efforts: When you see a company make a positive change (like switching to recyclable packaging or 100% renewable energy), leave a positive social media post, write a glowing review, or send a congratulatory email. Praising them publicly sends a signal to their competitors, proving that sustainability is a competitive advantage.

Ask clarifying questions about their sustainability claims. For example, ask for their Scope 3 emissions report (emissions related to their value chain and supply chain, which the company does not directly control but can greatly influence) or details on their water conservation plans, which thankfully many companies are undertaking given the finite supply of water on the planet. This encourages transparency and pushes them to back up their marketing with data, and avoiding appearing more eco-friendly than it actually is) AKA greenwashing.

If you purchase a sustainable product but find the packaging confusing, the recycling process too hard, or the product quality lacking, provide specific, constructive feedback. This can help companies improve the product and increase adoption of the sustainable version, which is the ultimate goal.

3. 💳 Align Your Wallet and Investments

Financial decisions are the most direct way to reinforce sustainable business models.

Vote with your wallet consistently. Actively seek out and preferentially buy products from companies that are making verifiable commitments. Check their transparent climate goals, supply chain, and any sustainability certifications like B Corp or FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). Every purchase reaffirms their sustainable business model. Be willing to pay a slight premium for products that genuinely embody these values. Sustainable sourcing, fair labor, and high-quality, durable materials often cost more. This allows the company to sustainably scale their ethical practices without compromising on quality or exploiting labor.

Invest in ESG Funds (The Investor Voice): 

If you invest (even a small amount in a 401(k) or brokerage account), choose funds that prioritize companies with strong ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) ratings. To check ESG ratings you can check any finance or investment website, including consumer friendly sites like Yahoo Finance, which now have ESG rating information available. By directing capital toward sustainable firms, you lower their cost of capital, making it easier for them to finance green initiatives and signaling to the financial market that sustainability is a metric of success.

Suhas Vittal is an event coordinator for Sustainable JC. He was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ, and is a graduate of NJCU, where he received his undergraduate degree in public relations and marketing. He is passionate about educating and encouraging others to care about the environment and to make sustainable lifestyle choices. 

How Individual Choices Can Drive Climate Action

It may already be too late to avoid many of the effects of climate change.

Extreme weather like heatwaves, droughts, and flooding across New Jersey and around the world are becoming more frequent. Water scarcity and crop failures will not be rare events in the future but ongoing realities. These changes will shape the way we live and the choices we make every day.

So what can be done? There are no easy short term solutions, especially in a capitalistic system, but small individual actions can add up and influence larger systemic shifts. When people change the way they purchase, consume and support businesses, it can pressure companies to adopt more responsible practices.

Alternative clean energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal power can help reduce long term harm. Still, individuals hold significant influence through the choices they make in the marketplace. Supporting companies that protect the planet, and avoiding those that do not, sends a powerful message.

While large corporations and the fossil fuel industry play an outsized role in driving climate change, everyone can contribute by aligning their spending with their values. Below are practical actions individuals can take.

How Individuals Can Make a Difference

1) Buy only what you need

Every new purchase adds to future waste. Overconsumption is a major contributor to landfill pollution. Before buying something, take a moment to separate needs from wants, especially around moments like Black Friday which are designed to encourage wanton spending. Consider whether the item adds short term satisfaction or long term value. 

2) Make products last longer

Choose items that are durable and repairable. A small repair can extend the life of clothing and household goods. Learning simple fixes, such as sewing small tears, helps reduce unnecessary waste. Check out Jersey City’s repair cafe which offers free repairs on several items 

3) Share items with others

Sharing helps communities thrive. If you have items you rarely use, such as garden tools, recreational equipment or unopened food, share them with neighbors or community groups. This reduces collective consumption and brings people together.

4) Purchase used goods

Many used items are in excellent condition and do not belong in the trash. Clothing is a good example. Producing new garments requires large amounts of water and energy. Buying secondhand saves resources and prevents harmful chemicals from entering the environment. Find your local Buy Nothing group to access pre-loved goods in your neighborhood. 

5) Choose more sustainable alternatives

Sustainability has become a marketing term, so take time to research brands you buy from. Review company websites, look at their stated values and supply chain practices and verify claims with independent reviews. There is no perfect answer, but find what fits within your sustainability beliefs and make choices accordingly. 

Businesses that ignore customers’ expectations eventually lose support. When people direct their money toward companies that prioritize sustainability, they help move the market toward practices that benefit the planet.

By collectively aligning our spending with our values, we can encourage meaningful change and help build a more sustainable future for everyone.

Suhas Vittal is an event coordinator for Sustainable JC. He was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ, and is a graduate of NJCU, where he received his undergraduate degree in public relations and marketing. He is passionate about educating and encouraging others to care about the environment and to make sustainable lifestyle choices. 

Rain Gardens: Where Beauty Meets Sustainability

By Erin Brown

Imagine this: You’re driving down Bergen Ave, going to your favorite coffee shop, and along the side of the road, you notice near the curb an area of plants and flowers blowing in the wind. These small gardens along the road, while they are beautiful, serve a bigger purpose. They’re not your average garden; these are rain gardens and are an impactful way to integrate green infrastructure into the local community. But what are rain gardens? 

A rain garden, as the Groundwater Foundation defines as “ a garden of native shrubs, perennials, and flowers planted in a small depression, which is generally formed on a natural slope. It is designed to temporarily hold and soak in rainwater runoff that flows from roofs, driveways, patios, or lawns. Rain gardens are effective in removing up to 90% of nutrients and chemicals and up to 80% of sediments from the rainwater runoff. Compared to a conventional lawn, rain gardens allow for 30% more water to soak into the ground.” 

Rainwater runoff can be a problem, especially if you’re living in a city prone to flooding, like Jersey City. Every time it rains, water runs off impermeable surfaces, such as roofs or driveways, collecting pollutants like dirt, fertilizer, chemicals, oil, garbage, and bacteria along the way. The pollutant-laden water enters storm drains untreated and flows directly to nearby streams and ponds. The US EPA estimates that pollutants carried by rainwater runoff account for 70% of all water pollution.

The rain garden process acts as a filter,  like a water filter you have at home. It collects the rain water runoff, allowing it to be filtered by vegetation and trickle into the soil, recharging ground water aquifers and improving water quality by filtering out the pollutants. To learn more about how a rain garden works, watch this video.

In addition to helping with water quality, rain gardens have a additional benefits, such as: 

• Beautifying neighborhoods

• Preserving native vegetation

• Providing localized stormwater and flood control

• Attracting beneficial birds, butterflies, and insects

• Ease of maintenance after establishment

To really get the most out of a rain garden it is important for us collectively to do our part to maintain and protect it. As an everyday person what we can do is not throw trash or litter into the rain garden and refrain from having pets relieve themselves in the rain garden. The acid from pet urine can be harmful to plants, especially if new plants are trying to grow.

Rain Gardens are a simple and effective way of integrating green infrastructure and are a tool to make Jersey City more resilient against the effects of climate change, heavy rainfall being one of them. To make our city more climate resilient, we need a city-wide rain garden campaign. Here at SJC, based on Jersey City being a medium-sized city, our goal is to install 11,000 rain gardens throughout the city. 

Learn more about Jersey City’s Green Infrastructure and SJC Rain Garden + Art Campaign, and show your nearest rain garden some love the next time you’re around one!

Erin Brown is a board member with Sustainable JC and Print Production Project Manager at an advertising agency in NYC.