Community

NJR is committed to improving the quality of life through our efforts to reduce waste and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. We have several programs that support our commitment to the environment.

Since joining the Natural Gas STAR™ program in 2004, NJR has helped reduced methane emissions by 59,664 Mcf (thousand cubic feet) through facility upgrades and operational improvements. That is enough natural gas to heat more than 786 homes for an entire year!  In terms of air quality, it is equivalent to planting over 7,205 acres of trees or eliminating 5,322 cars from New Jersey’s roadways.

As an award-winning participant in the Environmental Protection Agency’s WasteWise™ program, we track our waste reduction progress.  In 2005, we diverted 24.6 percent more waste from landfills than in 2004 and recycled an additional 29.6 tons.  Wastewise efforts include:

Waste Prevention Programs

• During its first year of operation, the Reuse Center, located in Wall, exceeded all expectations. Unused office supplies valued at $11,903 were provided by employees. In 2005, this resulted in approximately 9,919 pounds of waste being diverted from the landfill and a savings of $8,275.
• As part of our paper reduction initiative, we now use e-mail to communicate business unit surveys, newsletters and training updates, saving more than 250,000 sheets of paper each year.

Recycling Programs

• Employees at NJRHS initiated a metals recycling program four years ago. During 2005, NJRHS recycled 7,973 pounds for net revenue of $9,144.
• NJNG recycled 8,460 pounds of metal during 2005 and saved over $7,000.
• In 2005, plastic film was added to our recycling program and diverted 81 pounds from the trash waste stream during the first six months of the program.
• We extended our environmental responsibility by helping others in need through donations of reusable items.  During 2005, NJR employees donated clothing to victims of the earthquake in Pakistan, eyeglasses to New Eyes for the Needy, cell phones to the March of Dimes and blankets and towels to a local animal shelter in honor of America Recycles Day.

Buy Recycled Program

In 2005, the first year of this program, NJR saved $11,400 by using 256 remanufactured toner cartridges on printers and copiers. We will continue to look for opportunities to buy recycled-content products. Below is a sample of some of the items that the company purchased in 2005.

• 20 percent post-consumer content in envelopes
• 30 percent post-consumer waste fiber in NJR's 2005 Annual Report, bill inserts and letterhead
• 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic in outdoor receptacles