DEP AWARDS $4.5 MILLION TO SUPPORT LOCAL RECYCLING PROGRAMS
(06/52) TRENTON -- Department of Environmental Protection
Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson today announced $4.5 million in grants
to counties and municipalities to support local recycling programs.
"With New Jersey generating more than 20 million tons of solid
waste every year, we need to do all we can to boost recycling rates,"
said DEP Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson. "This funding will support
local recycling programs and help reduce the amount of waste going
to landfills and other facilities."
The recycling grant awards are performance-based, requiring specific
documentation of total material recycled during calendar year 2004,
the latest annual statistics available for the state. In 2004, New
Jersey generated 21.7 million tons of solid waste, which includes
not only glass, cans, plastic and newspapers from municipal waste,
but also scrap iron, concrete, wood and other items from commercial
waste. Of that total, 12 million tons or 55 percent was recycled
with 9.7 million tons sent for disposal.
The Solid Waste Management Act provides the framework for the collection,
transportation and disposal of solid waste in New Jersey. New Jersey
is required to create and implement a Solid Waste Management Plan,
which outlines the steps necessary to foster recycling at the state,
county and local government levels. Currently, the municipal solid
waste recycling rate is 34 percent. In January 2006, DEP revised
the Plan to require counties to update their plans to identify strategies
and enforcement measures that will increase recycling rates.
New Jersey's recycling industry employs more than 27,000 people
in New Jersey with total receipts valued at $5.9 billion annually.
The Clean Communities and Recycling Grant Act enacted in December
2002 provides funding for municipal and county recycling efforts.
In addition to the recycling grant money, the Act provides financial
assistance to towns and counties through the Clean Communities anti-litter
program.
To view the list of grant recipients, visit DEP's web site at
www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycle/stats.htm.
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