Sustainability in West Haven

West Haven has achieved Bronze-level certification as a sustainable community from Sustainable CT, a statewide initiative that inspires and supports communities to become more efficient, resilient and inclusive. The certification is good for three years. On Oct. 28, 2025, West Haven was recognized for its Bronze certification at the 2025 Sustainable CT Awards Celebration at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam.

The Sustainable CT initiative was developed at Eastern Connecticut State University as a voluntary municipal certification program that provides a wide-ranging menu of best practices aimed at helping cities and towns to become thriving and resilient. Municipalities choose Sustainable CT actions, implement them and earn points toward certification.

Sustainable CT Actions & Certifications

There are 13 categories within the application for certification:

• Inclusive and equitable community impacts.
• Thriving local economies.
• Well-stewarded land and natural resources.
• Vibrant and creative cultural ecosystems.
• Dynamic and resilient planning.
• Clean and diverse transportation systems and choices.
• Renewable and efficient energy infrastructure and operations.
• Inclusive engagement, communication and education.
• Strategic materials management.
• Optimal health and wellness opportunities.
• Healthy, efficient and diverse housing.
• Effective, compassionate homelessness prevention.
• Innovative strategies and practices.

In its application for Sustainable CT certification, West Haven amassed 265 points in 21 of 78 possible action categories, far exceeding the required 200 points for Bronze certification. See our Coastal Resilience Plan, our Harbor Management Plan and the SCRCOG Hazard Mitigation Plan for more information relating to these efforts. The inclusion of many sustainability concepts in our Plan of Conservation and Development also contributed to our successful certification.

Read about the Pagels Elementary School Rain Garden.

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