SRWM Solid & Hazardous Waste Recycling

2006 AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING
ACHIEVEMENT IN RECYCLING

INSTITUTION

DOE Princeton University Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)

In support of its scientific research mission, PPPL has proactively managed its environmental performance in several key areas including energy and water usage, recycling, environmentally-preferred purchasing, and pollution prevention. PPPL’s recycling program includes office papers, cardboard, packaging materials, wood, concrete, construction waste, various scrap metals, and electronic waste. PPPL has steadily increased its municipal solid waste recycling rate to over 50%, meeting the federal government’s recycling goal for 2010 six years ahead of schedule. Environmentally preferred purchasing at PPPL, 85% of all purchasing in FY ‘04 and ‘05, includes the extensive use of bio-based products, recycled-content office supplies, and recycled-content building products.

BUSINESS

Toyota Logistics Services, Inc

In 2004 and 2005, Toyota Logistics Services achieved a recycling rate of 87%, a full 27% higher than the state-mandated 60% recycling rate. Non-traditional materials recycled and included in the 2005 recycling rate are struts, Styrofoam, soft plastic, and rapguard. Toyota is constantly identifying innovative ways to recycle and make a positive impact on our environment.

GOVERNMENT

Borough of Fair Lawn

The Borough of Fair Lawn has been recycling since the mid-1980s prior to the adoption of the mandatory recycling law in 1987. Recycling collection in the Borough consists of weekly curbside collection for residential, small businesses, multi-family units, and schools. The Borough also has a full-time recycling drop-off center that operates 7 days a week. Fair Lawn has implemented enforcement and education initiatives that have contributed to the achievement of a recycling rate of 54% in 2005.

RISING STAR

Franz Adler, Recycling Coordinator, City of Margate

Margate is a shore community and has a relatively large tourist population. Mr. Adler realized that educating the public, particularly the tourists, was his best chance of creating a successful recycling program. He provided educational materials to real estate offices, renters, and public and private schools, and improved the recycling of construction and demolition debris by working with local builders. All of the schools and 135 of 140 businesses in the city now have a recycling program. The inclusion of so many businesses, school, and builders into the recycling program, as well as the targeted outreach to the tourist population, have contributed to a 28% municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling rate, comparable to the 27.7 countywide MSW recycling rate.

RECYCLING INDUSTRY

Global Recycling Solutions

Global Recycling operates a full Class “A” recycling facility on County property located directly at the Monmouth County Reclamation Center (landfill). The facility accepts all grades of fiber and commingled containers, as well as mixed broken glass from other recycling facilities, thus providing a stable market for this problem material. Global felt that if they could find a use for all the glass, without going through all the expense of sorting the glass into colors, the problems typically associated with accepting commingled containers would no longer be an issue. They determined that the perfect solution would be to pulverize all of the glass into an aggregate for beneficial uses such as filtration and landfill cover. Global Recycling assumed full cost for the operation of the recycling facility, and they also funded the purchase of necessary equipment. Global pays the County a fee for every ton that is delivered to the site, and all of the glass processed by Global is given to the County at no cost.

RETAIL MERCHANT

Whole Foods Market

The Whole Foods Markets in New Jersey are innovators in the field of recycling primarily because a majority of the stores participate in on-site source separation of organic materials for composting. This enables the stores to recycle about 50% of their waste in one category. In addition, the stores separate and recycle many items including, cardboard, stretch film plastics, meat renderings and cooking oil, mixed office paper and newspaper, and electronics.

LEADERSHIP

Joseph Fallon, Fort Monmouth

Mr. Fallon is the manager of the overall recycling program at Fort Monmouth. Mr. Fallon established the Class D/Universal Waste Recycling Center in 2002 and the Beneficial Use Project for oil spill debris in 2003. The Center augments the long established Class A, B, and C recycling programs that were also initiated by Mr. Fallon. The purpose of the Center is to promote recycling and the safe handling of recyclable materials generated by regional US Armed Forces installations and other federal installations. Materials accepted at the recycling center include used oils, oil filters, oil spill debris, used anti-freeze, oil-based paint, all battery types, and mercury containing lamps. Fort Monmouth personnel and residents are educated about the recycling program in ways that are appropriate to their responsibilities. All new employees are advised to recycle batteries, beverage containers, toner cartridges, and office paper. Similarly, new residents are provided with information regarding the recycling of these items as well as household hazardous waste and Class D. waste.

EDUCATOR/EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Jeannette Rea-Keywood

The “Caring Keepers of our Planet Earth” 4-H Environmental Ambassador Program, established by Jeannette Rea-Keywood, is a 3 day/2 night educational opportunity for youth in grades 5 – 7 from three South Jersey counties. Through this program, students are able to study waste management and environmental issues, and to become ambassadors in their schools and communities. This program brings waste management alternatives and environmental issues to life for students through a variety of activities that use experiential, inquiry-based, interactive and cooperative learning techniques.

SOURCE REDUCTION/RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

New Jersey Resources (NJR)

New Jersey Resources provides reliable retail and wholesale energy services to customers in New Jersey and in other states across the country. Its principal subsidiary, New Jersey Natural Gas, is one of the fastest-growing local distribution companies in the United States, serving more than 465,000 customers in central and northern New Jersey. NJR currently participates in the voluntary EPA WasteWise program. This program allows NJR to reduce, reuse, recycle and buy remanufactured products while emphasizing waste prevention and environmental preservation. Over 760 employees make this program a success, especially the buyers who purchase reused, remanufactured, or recycled-content products whenever possible. In order to obtain participant cooperation, NJR has written friendly reminders to tenants, e-mailed and posted messages to employees, held meetings with janitorial staff, and generated procedure information in Spanish.

DROP-OFF/DEPOT LOCATION

Burlington Township

The Burlington Township Compost Site is a unique facility designed to make recycling convenient for all residents, schools and small businesses. The facility is open 7 days per week and is the only one of its type in Burlington County. The site accepts glass, tin, aluminum, 1 and 2 plastics, cardboard, magazines, newspapers, used motor oil, clothing, concrete, computers, branches, leaves, grass, vehicle batteries, and other items. The Center also offers an area where residents can recycle books, and provides residents with free leaf mulch, firewood, and fill dirt.