The Trenton-based TerraCycle is the recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 2017 Green/Sustainable Business Achievement Award.
The award recognizes a small business that has achieved excellence in the creation and implementation of sustainable business practices, including waste and recycling programs, water stewardship, efficiency in building environment, or any other significant effort designed to limit the way a business impacts the environment.
TerraCycle, located on New York Avenue, collects hard-to-recycle post-consumer waste products and repurposes the materials into useful products.
Award winners were selected by a panel of judges from 18 finalists. “It is an honor to be recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for this prestigious award. Our mission is to eliminate the idea of waste, and to have our efforts be acknowledged by these respected organizations is both humbling and rewarding,” said TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky.
Public asked to ‘ACT’
The Trenton City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, November 21, to address the state of New Jersey’s current plans to relocate and rebuild several state office buildings.
The plan is strongly opposed by the Stakeholders Allied for the Core of Trenton (ACT), a collation of individuals representing Trenton business and community organizations.
ACT members argue that the current state plans to move several state buildings further from Trenton’s downtown will have a negative impact on downtown businesses and go against two existing plans designed with input from Trenton residents and business leaders: Trenton 250 and the 2008 Downtown Master Plan.
ACT has developed an alternative plan that integrates the new offices into the current downtown business district. ACT’s plan stresses mixed-use development of office, residential, and retail space to satisfy both state and city needs.
The Trenton City Council session begins at 5:30 p.m. ACT members are hoping that city residents and business leaders participate.
For more information on Stakeholders-ACT and the State of New Jersey building plans, go to stakeholders-act.org.
Green light for Assunpink daylighting
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the Christie administration and the city of Trenton, recently began to remove a 500-foot section of a culvert that carries part of the Lower Assunpink Creek under a portion of downtown Trenton.
The project will stabilize and naturally align the daylighted creek with river stone, boulders, and other materials; improve fish migration from the Delaware River; and create two new acres of open space for passive recreation.
The $8 million project, for which a $4.7 million contract was awarded in August, was advanced by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections Community Collaborative Initiative program, which works on redevelopment projects in Trenton, Camden, and Perth Amboy. The Boston-based Charter Contracting Company Construction was awarded the contract. “This project is important for Trenton because it will enhance the downtown, improve the quality of life for our residents and visitors, and help attract economic development,” said Mayor Eric Jackson.
Trenton names first music ambassador
Award-winning Trenton native vocalist, songwriter, and actress Sarah Dash was recently named the City of Trenton’s first music ambassador. Dash, who began her career as a member of Patti LaBelle & the Bluebells, will serve a two-year term and advocate for the expansion of musical performing arts and related cultural activities, and promote a better understanding of how music can impact and improve the lives of residents.
“Music changed my life,” said Dash, a lifelong resident of the city’s West Ward. “I understand its potential to impact the intellectual, social, and emotional development of our city’s children, and I want to use my God-given gifts to teach them how to embrace the life-changing power of music.”
Dash’s career started with the New Jersey-based girl-group Del Capris and transformed into a longstanding creative alliance with Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Patti LaBelle. Dash has also performed with Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and been involved in several television and film projects. In 1978 she released her self-titled debut album, which included the top-10 disco hit, “Sinner Man.”
Tom Szaky of TerraCycle.,
