DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HONORS RECYCLING LEADERS, INNOVATORS AT ANNUAL AWARDS LUNCHEON
BUSINESSES, EDUCATORS, AND NONPROFITS RECEIVE ACCOLADES FOR EFFORTS
(17/P106) TRENTON – A construction recycling program with a 95 percent waste diversion rate, a school that consistently ranks as state champion in a recycling competition, and a nonprofit organization that supports economic development in low-income countries by collecting and shipping used or unwanted bicycles overseas, are among those honored as New Jersey recycling leaders.
William R. Bausmith of Princeton University in Mercer County; Egg Harbor City Community School in Atlantic County; and David Schweidenback of Pedals for Progress in Lebanon Township, Hunterdon County, were among the 10 businesses, organizations and people recognized during the 37th annual Association of New Jersey Recyclers (ANJR) symposium and luncheon held October 18 at the Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune, Monmouth County.
“The Christie Administration commends these award winners for their work to promote recycling and educate their communities about the importance of diverting waste to better protect our natural resources,” Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin said. “New Jersey is consistently a national leader in recycling, and we applaud the winners for going above and beyond to help safeguard the environment.”
“We are very proud to honor the esteemed winners of this awards program, whose recycling efforts keep our environment clean and healthy,” said Paul Baldauf, Assistant Commissioner for Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability. “Their work is truly inspiring for others to adopt better recycling practices.”
New Jersey in 1987 became the first state to require recycling, with the passage of the New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act. Three decades later the Christie Administration continues developing policies to further raise recycling rates, while adapting recycling strategies to match current lifestyles. To that end, DEP requires counties to meet recycling tonnage targets and, with help from local and county partners, promote public participation in recycling programs.
DEP and ANJR each year co-sponsor the symposium and luncheon, where recycling awards were presented to outstanding businesses, organizations, local government agencies, and individuals who have made significant contributions to recycling in New Jersey.
In addition to the honors given by category, Dominick D’Altilio received a special Commissioner’s Award for his more than 20 years of service with ANJR, and his important role in New Jersey’s recycling efforts. D’Altilio has served more than three decades as Assistant Director of Public Works and Recycling Coordinator for the City of East Orange in Essex County.
RECYCLING AWARDS
BUSINESS: Humanscale
Humanscale, which manufactures ergonomic office furniture, achieved a 90 percent waste diversion goal for its facility in Piscataway, Middlesex County, by identifying all possible sources of waste diversion and then getting company employees on board with recycling plans. The result: recycling is profitable for the company, when it was previously an expense.
BUSINESS: Janssen Pharmaceuticals
Janssen, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, has achieved several key environmental milestones in recent years, including a nearly 78 percent waste diversion rate in 2016 for its three-year-old recycling program; LEED Gold Certification in 2014 at its Titusville, Mercer County facility; significant reduction in medical and hazardous waste disposal from 2011 to 2012; and development of a successful food waste composting program in effect since 2011.
EDUCATION: Essex County Vocational Technical School – West Caldwell Campus
The school in 2014 developed a school-wide recycling program thanks to a 2014 grant from the National Future Farmers of America Organization and CSX Corporation. The program has since expanded from everyday classroom recyclables to include cardboard, cans and food waste, and has inspired the entire school community to use environmentally friendly practices and products.
EDUCATION: David Alexander
David Alexander, Senior Naturalist at the Essex County Environmental Center, developed a recycling curriculum for students that not only facilitates trips to the center, but helps students use math to calculate average resident rates of waste disposal and recycling. The program’s successes have helped students develop stewardship practices at their schools and in their communities.
INSTITUTION: Egg Harbor Community School
The Atlantic County school, which serves approximately 230 children in grades 4-8, was the Keep America Beautiful Recycle Bowl National Champion in 2015, ranking first among nearly 1,300 schools nationwide for its recycling efforts and successes. The school also was named Recycle Bowl New Jersey State Champion in 2013, 2014 and 2016.
LEADERSHIP: William R. Bausmith
William R. Bausmith, Associate Director of Construction and Management in the Department of Design and Construction at Princeton University, has developed and managed a construction recycling program that averages a 95 percent diversion rate for all construction and demolition waste. Bausmith achieved the high rate by developing contract standards, providing incentives for positive behavioral changes, and creating web-based recycling reporting systems.
SOURCE REDUCTION, RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, AND SUSTAINABILITY: Pedals for Progress
Pedals for Progress, a nonprofit organization, has diverted an estimated 100,000 pounds of materials in 2015 and 88,000 pounds of materials in 2016 from landfills and other waste streams by collecting and shipping used bicycles and sewing machines to partner organizations. The equipment supports economic development in developing countries, and helps underprivileged individuals overseas in need of non-polluting transportation. Since its founding in 1991, Pedals for Progress has diverted more than 4.5 million pounds of materials from the waste stream.
SOURCE REDUCTION, RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, AND SUSTAINABILITY: New Jersey Habitat for Humanity ReStores
Habitat for Humanity ReStores are building supply outlets that sell new and gently used building supplies, furnishings and appliances to help promote neighborhood revitalization while reducing landfill waste. The Northern Ocean County Habitat ReStore in fiscal year 2016 diverted nearly five times more waste than it did in 2001, while the Warren County ReStore has seen a steady improvement of 5 percent annually that is projected to continue for at least the next three years.
RISING STAR: Camden City School District
The Camden County district has implemented recycling programs, training for educators and administrators, and focused efforts in classrooms, the cafeteria, and districtwide. Due to those efforts, as well as collaboration with businesses and district managers, the district has reached its recycling goals, and is meeting standards once difficult to achieve.
GOVERNMENT: Perth Amboy Office of Recycling
The Perth Amboy Office of Recycling, a division of the Middlesex County city’s Department of Public Works, has developed the Recycling Buddy Bag Program, which instructs residents on how to recycle. The program targets residents who live in areas where trash is not collected by the city, such as condominiums, apartment complexes and high rises.
COMMISSIONER’S AWARD: Dominick D’Altilio
Dominick D’Altilio received a special Commissioner’s Award for his instrumental role of more than two decades for promoting and advancing recycling through ANJR. D’Altilio, who has served for 35 years as Assistant Director of Public Works and Recycling Coordinator for the City of East Orange in Essex County, joined the ANJR Board in 1993 and served as president from 2003-2017 until stepping down earlier this year and becoming a board member emeritus. During his time on the ANJR Board, D’Atilio was a member of the committee that developed the Rutgers University Certified Recycling Professional Program, and was a graduate of the first Certified Recycling Professional class. He has served as a program instructor since.
To learn more about recycling in New Jersey, visit: www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling
For information about the Association of New Jersey Recyclers, visit: www.anjr.com/
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