Sometimes, it's what you don't buy that's most important for being environmentally conscious and avoiding toxics in your everyday life."Stop being a throwaway society," said Lilibet Clarke, one of the coordinators of the Green Community Festival held the last Saturday of each October in downtown Peapack-Gladstone. The event — designed to give people tips on how to go green on a regular basis, and to showcase businesses that sell organic products or preserve the environment — each year attracts both visitors and participants from throughout the Somerset Hills area. Clarke has adapted some of …

There are other restaurants in the area that list at least some organic ingredients and natural foods on their menus, but only one in Basking Ridge — Fresh — that has received certification from the nationwide Green Restaurant Association. Fresh is located in a small cafe setting in the Highlands Village Center in The Hills, and the construction of the bright interior was part of what earned the restaurant's GRA certification.  The bamboo floors, use of paint that doesn't emit toxic fumes and decor with wood shutters recycled from an old barn all helped the restaurant obtain GRA certification…

For those who have decided that they want to reduce the amount of pesticides, chemicals and other artificial ingredients in the materials, foods and home environment that surrounds them every day, the question remains of where to find such "eco-friendly" or organic products. The English Farm in the township's Liberty Corner section has been around for about two centuries, and these days the English family is back to farming the land themselves, with natural methods. Harrison Brook Farm, right next door to the English Farm off Valley Road, follows organic farming practices in growing herbs and…

The celebration of Earth Day has spread to a month-long calendar of "eco" events in many places, including Basking Ridge. A Somerset County "eco-rally" to encourage energy use reduction and a "greener" lifestyle is underway through next week. Other events are on the calendar for the next two weeks. The Somerset Hills YMCA in Basking Ridge will host Healthy Earth, Healthy Kids Day from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, at its facility at 140 Mount Airy Rd in Basking Ridge. The event is free and anyone from the community is welcome. The event incorporates the national Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day …

Bernards Township has been setting the pace for "going green" since 2007, when the township created a "green team" to look at ways to reduce energy costs, become more environmentally friendly and — not coincidentally — often reduce spending of local tax dollars.The township already has taken groundbreaking steps in becoming more energy efficient, planning solar projects and recycling at its local recycling collection facility.Those efforts by years predated the state's "Sustainable Jersey" program, which provides rewards for such initiatives. Bernards Township also has been using lighting …