Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla, the City of Hoboken, and the Hoboken Green Team recognized 16 local businesses for their commitment to sustainability during its annual Green Fair on Saturday, Oct. 4. The event, hosted by the City’s Green Team and Department of Climate Action & Innovation, celebrated the collective effort of local entrepreneurs who are helping to build a greener, more sustainable Hoboken.
As part of the Hoboken Green Business Recognition Program, these 16 businesses were honored for implementing eco-conscious practices, including reducing waste, recycling hard-to-recycle materials, using energy-efficient lighting, purchasing in bulk to reduce packaging waste, and actively participating in environmental causes.
The businesses recognized this year include Alfalfa, Bone-In Food, Bwè Kafe, Choc O Pain French Bakery and Cafe, Christina Andersen Floral Design, Cornerstone Pets, Ken Pilates, Mint Market, NANU Studio, BetterThanWell, River Point Wellness Group, Stevens Institute of Technology, St. Mary’s Advocates Thrift Store, Symposia, The Salon at Hoboken, and Wicked Scents. Each of these businesses received a certificate, a Hoboken Green Business decal to display in their storefronts, a digital version for online use, and recognition on the City’s website.
“These businesses are setting a powerful example by making sustainability a part of their everyday operations,” said Mayor Bhalla. “Their leadership is helping to build a culture of environmental responsibility that strengthens our community and moves Hoboken toward a greener future. I want to thank each of them for their commitment to making Hoboken a stronger, more resilient city.”
In addition to honoring local businesses, for the first time this year, four of the City’s Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) recipients participated in the Green Fair showcasing their climate action projects. The YCAF is a micro grant program funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies in which 11 youth-led projects received a total of $85,000 to address climate challenges within the city.
Among the participants were Jacob Tennenbaum and Marielle Noboa, who developed an eco-friendly eel monitoring tool made of natural materials to help track eel migration while reducing plastic pollution in the Hudson River. Lia Mehr, from Stevens Institute of Technology, presented a dorm composting pilot that aims to reduce food waste and emissions while promoting sustainable practices on campus. Sarah Peneiras shared her project, Recycle My Battery, which is raising awareness on responsible battery disposal through collection boxes in Stevens residence halls, QR code education, and the development of a mobile app. Martin Gendell introduced his 3D printed nuclear fusion model, a low-cost, customizable educational tool designed to support sustainable energy learning and innovation through the use of metal 3D printing.
“These students are nothing short of inspiring,” said Mayor Bhalla. “Their passion and innovation prove that young people are aware of the climate crisis and taking the lead in solving it. Hoboken is proud to support and amplify their work.”
For more information about the Hoboken Green Business Recognition Program, go to www.hobokennj.gov/resources/hoboken-green-businesses.
For more information on the Youth Climate Action Fund, go to www.hobokennj.gov/resources/youth-climate-action-fund.
To learn more about the Hoboken Green Team, go to https://www.hobokennj.gov/resources/green-team. To join the Hoboken Green Team, email ksmith@hobokennj.gov.
