Our Programs

We’re helping Newton lead the way in transitioning homes and businesses away from fossil fuels. Our Clean Energy Starts at Home campaign provides residents with the information, tools, and incentives to electrify their homes — from installing heat pumps and solar panels to adopting induction cooking and electric vehicles.

Through community events like Sustainable Street Tours, the GreenEXPO and Earth Day, we make it easier for households to take the next step toward zero emissions.

Green Newton also explores groundbreaking initiatives such as the Networked Geothermal Pilot and supports the implementation of the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) to ensure our built environment aligns with Newton’s Climate Action Goals.

Green Newton helps our community reimagine how we use and manage resources, providing education and programs that encourage more sustainable, mindful habits around consumption and waste.

Composting: We partner with Black Earth Compost & The City of Newton to make composting easy and accessible, supporting weekly curbside pickup across the city and keeping organic waste out of landfills.

Recycling + Responsible Disposal: We help educate the community on recycling and responsible disposal, spotlighting drop-off sites like Rumford Ave and other local programs to ensure unwanted items are reused, donated, or disposed of properly.

Repair, Reuse + Refill: We educate the community on ways to extend the life of everyday items through repair workshops, reuse initiatives, and refill programs that reduce single-use waste.

Rethinking Consumption: Through education and outreach, we inspire individuals to make more conscious choices about what—and how much—they consume. Green Newton has supported local efforts such as Newton’s “Skip the Stuff” ordinance and requirements for restaurants to use reusable, compostable, or recyclable dishware and offer single-use items only upon request — making sustainable choices easier for everyone.

Each year, Green Newton reaches thousands of residents through educational programs, workshops, and events — from our annual Earth Day Festival and GreenEXPO to collaborations with the Newton Free Library. Our weekly Green Newton E-Newsletter, read by over 3,000 subscribers, shares practical tips, news, and opportunities to take action locally.

We also partner with schools, houses of worship, and civic organizations to expand climate literacy and collective action across Newton’s neighborhoods.

Green Newton recognizes the essential role that trees and green landscapes play in creating a resilient, healthy city. Through our Trees and Urban Ecology program, we support efforts to expand Newton’s urban tree canopy, promote sustainable landscaping practices, and advocate for green infrastructure that enhances biodiversity and reduces heat and stormwater impacts.

By partnering with local organizations and city initiatives, we aim to foster a thriving urban ecosystem — one that not only captures carbon and improves air quality but also strengthens community well-being and connection to nature.

We work closely with city and state leaders to advance bold climate policies, advocating for:

• Building electrification standards
• Zero waste legislation
• Reducing embedded carbon in building construction
• Extended producer responsibility laws

Our volunteers and board members lend their expertise to city working groups and commissions, ensuring that Newton remains a model for municipal climate leadership across Massachusetts.

Green Newton’s Youth Climate Leadership Program empowers high school students to take meaningful action on climate change. Our interns engage the community at local events like the Farmers’ Market, support city initiatives such as the EV Task Force and HeatSmart Campaign, and create outreach materials and videos to inspire sustainable choices.

From distributing energy-efficiency resources to presenting Newton’s progress to other communities, these students gain hands-on experience while driving real environmental impact. Together, they represent the next generation of climate leaders in Newton.