Sustainable Highland Park (SHP), a commission of the Borough of Highland Park, will be hosting its annual Earth Day event this year on Sunday, April 28th, from 11-3 p.m. at the Environmental Education Center. Residents and visitors are invited to walk, run or bike down to our celebration and enjoy hours of educational activities with music and food brought to you by local residents, artists and businesses.
This year we will be celebrating our new plastic bag ordinance which is set to begin on May 1st. The “Bring Your Own Bag” ordinance establishes a fee on plastic bags for 6 months followed by a permanent ban on plastic bags and a fee on paper bags. We will be distributing free reusable bags at the event and reminding people that the most sustainable way to shop is to bring your own bag!
This will be a plastic-free day and recycling will be highlighted at our event. We will be providing water so attendees can refill their own reusable bottles at the event.
Highland Park’s Recycling Coordinator and DPW Foreman Frank Troy will be available during the day to explain the recent changes in our recycling collection. Since China is now refusing our plastic waste, it is even more important to make efforts to greatly reduce the amount of plastic in our daily lives.
There will be activities for the whole family, with the theme this year on clean air. Some of the groups who will be participating in Earth Day are the Safe Walking and Cycling Commission, the Board of Health, the Shade Tree Commission, Climate Reality and the Central Jersey Environmental Defenders. Each of these groups bring an important message with them about sustainability and environmentally-conscious living. Additionally, SHP will have a table on its proposed anti-idling resolution and actions to support cleaner air in town.
As always we are partnering with Highland Park High School and Middle School and Bartle and Irving Schools and they will be hosting children’s activities for the event.
Bring your whole family to Highland Park’s Earth Day and enjoy an educational and sustainable day! Take in the music, the healthy food and the clean air and celebrate with us!