Contact the Environmental Commission at: environmentalcommission@leonianj.gov

A detailed Online Recycling Guide is available at leonianj.gov/recycle
Download: Printable Recycling Guide

The Leonia Environmental Commission was created by Ordinance No. 703 in 1972 making it one of the first environmental commissions in New Jersey. The Commission is appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council, one of whom shall also be a member of the Planning Board and all of whom shall be residents of Leonia. The Commission is an advisory to the Mayor and Council and is charged with studying and making recommendations in areas of conservation and environmental protection, including but not limited to open space preservation, water resources, solid waste management and beautification. It is also responsible for the care of Highwood Hills, our Green Acres Natural Area. There are currently 2 alternate members and 7 regular members, including a member of the Shade Tree Commission and a member of the Planning Board.

In addition to its legal obligations, the Commission also co-sponsors with the Shade Tree Commission the annual Arbor/Earth Leonia Day each May; organizes the fall cleanup of Highwood Hills; and participate in the Health Fair.

Commission Members

Trash reduction is crucial for protecting the environment, saving natural resources, reducing pollution, and lowering waste management costs. The Leonia Environmental Commission has added pages to this website (see drop-down links) for reducing waste in various areas of daily life and will continue to post updates. Please email us at environmentalcommission@leonianj.gov with questions or suggestions!

Why is this important?

• The environmental impact of landfills—the final destination for much of our waste—adds to contamination of soil and water, greenhouse gas emissions, and habitat destruction. By reducing waste at the source, we can lessen the need for landfill space.

• Waste reduction decreases the demand for valuable resources used in manufacturing new products, such as energy, water, and raw materials. Reducing the need for these resources contributes to the conservation of natural ecosystems.

• By reducing the amount of waste produced, we can lessen the need for waste management processes such as transportation and disposal, which are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

• Cost savings for you and Leonia: the less you buy, the less waste you produce—and the more you save! And the less we throw away, the more money we save for Leonia on tipping fees paid to landfills.

The 5 R’s of Waste Reduction:

1. Refuse: Learn to Say No to What You Don’t Need

2. Reduce: Learning to Let Go

3. Reuse: Making Sure Things Last As Long As They Can

4. Recycle: What You Cannot Reduce, Reuse, or Refuse

5. Rot: What Is Left
   ▪ This applies to organic waste from food scraps that we could be repurposing instead of throwing away. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, composting is a controlled process that converts organic materials into nutrient-rich soil through natural decomposition. Visit leoniacomposts.com to learn about municipal composting here in town.

• Let’s work together as a community to get closer to a goal of Zero-Waste and leave the world a more beautiful place!

Environmental Commission Documents

Environmental Commission Meetings

Meetings are held the 1st Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9:30 and are open to the public. See the community calendar for location and/or virtual link.