New recycling reporting format in effect for both public and private sectors

Sussex County — The Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority announces a new format for all schools, businesses, private and multi-family communities to report recycling tonnage collected in 2006. Pursuant to State law, every year the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection requires municipalities throughout the state to submit tonnage reports of recyclable material collected from the previous calendar year. Based on the information submitted, the NJDEP determines municipal, county and state recycling rates. NJDEP updated and adopted a new Statewide Solid Waste Management Plan in January 2006. A significant factor of the Plan was a recommitment to obtain the state’s goal of recycling 50% of the municipal solid waste stream. With the adoption of the Plan, municipal and county officials have undertaken re-evaluation of their existing District Plans to determine strategies to achieve individual recycling tonnage increases that contribute to the statewide recycling rate. The Municipal Utilities Authority is reaffirming its commitment to document actual recycling efforts by residents and businesses in Sussex County. “Many residents, businesses and schools are already removing recyclable materials from the waste stream, however they may be unaware of the importance of properly reporting their recycling efforts,” explains Karl Meyer, SCMUA Chairman. Thomas Varro, SCMUA Solid Waste Superintendent adds: “It’s important to continue to promote recycling initiatives in order to conserve natural resources and save valuable landfill space here in Sussex County.” Most municipalities in Sussex County have small populations and share zip codes, so it is often difficult to obtain accurate recycling data, especially from large businesses and corporations. There is also confusion among small businesses and schools as to what recyclable materials should be reported, and by whom. In their role of promoting and ensuring compliance with New Jersey’s mandatory recycling regulations, NJDEP has notified local and county officials, solid waste transporters and facility operators to remind them of mandates to separate recyclables “at the point of generation” and providing records of the recycling tonnage to respective municipalities. In a cooperative effort between the Municipal Utilities Authority, Municipal Recycling Coordinators and the Solid Waste Advisory Commission, schools, businesses, private and multi-family communities will be requested to provide tonnage reports for the various materials diverted from the solid waste stream for 2006. A Sussex County Annual Recycling Report form will be distributed by Municipal Recycling Coordinators throughout the 24 Sussex County communities. The form lists over 30 materials NJDEP identifies as viable commodities that should be tracked, by municipality, in achieving the state’s recycling goal. Recycling and solid waste haulers that serve the county have also been made aware of the effort to collect the recycling tonnage data. “By completing the 2006 Recycling Report form businesses, schools and communities will have the opportunity to reassess their existing collection programs and join the effort to reinvigorate recycling in New Jersey”, said Reenee Casapulla, SCMUA Recycling Coordinator. All completed forms should be returned to the Municipal Utilities Authority by March 30, so that municipal reports can be prepared for submission to NJDEP. The development and promotion of the Annual Recycling Report is part of the County’s strategy to achieve the recycling tonnage target of 50 percent. In addition, comprehensive school and business recycling programs are being developed, along with providing recycling education and outreach programs. As another recycling initiative, the Municipal Utilities Authority currently hosts four Electronic Waste and two Household Hazardous Waste events for Sussex County residents and businesses. In addition, the Authority manages a Recycling Center year-round at its Landfill Facility in Lafayette to provide various free recycling services. Contact the Municipal Utilities Authority or visit their Web site for more information.