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Recycling Programs Help NJ Growers Protect the Environment
 

For Immediate Release: March 22, 2004

Contact:

Hope Gruzlovic
(609)292-8896
hope.gruzlovic@ag.state.nj.us

 

 

 

Nearly 250 tons of nursery and greenhouse film and approximately 2,000 plastic pesticide containers and nursery pots were recycled last year under two agricultural conservation programs again being offered this spring, Agriculture Secretary Charles M. Kuperus announced today.

“These recycling programs are an important way for the agricultural community to expand our role as stewards of the land by promoting the reuse of agricultural products, which helps save valuable landfill space,” said Secretary Kuperus.

New Jersey’s nursery and greenhouse film collection and recycling program is currently underway at two regional collection sites through September 3rd. Film (plastic greenhouse cover) is being accepted at the Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex in Deerfield, Cumberland County, and the Burlington County Occupational Training Center in Mount Holly. The Mount Holly site also will accept film from out-of-state growers. Information on each site’s procedures for film transport, collection dates and tipping fees is available at www.state.nj.us/agriculture.

The film recycling program was initiated by the Department of Agriculture in 1997. Last year’s collection of 248 tons of film represented a 4 percent increase over the previous year and an annual record under the program. Since the program began, growers have recycled 1,367 tons of film.

Growers will have the opportunity to recycle empty plastic pesticide containers and nursery pots from 9 a.m. to noon on June 10th at the Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex in Deerfield; on June 11th at the Burlington County Resource Recovery Complex in Mansfield, and on June 14th at the Warren County Fairgrounds in Harmony Township.

Non-refillable, high-density polyethylene #2 (HDPE #2) containers used by agricultural, professional and commercial applicators, as well as HDPE #2 nursery pots, will be accepted under this free program.

Containers must be no larger than 55 gallons and properly rinsed. Nursery pots also must be properly rinsed. The program is open to anyone who holds a N.J. Department of Environmental Protection pesticide license and to state, county and municipal government agencies.

The pesticide container and nursery pot recycling program is a collaborative effort among the N.J. Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Burlington County Solid Waste, Cumberland County Improvement Authority, Pollution Control Financing Authority of Warren County, Ag Container Recycling Council and USAg Recycling, Inc.

For additional information on these programs, visit the Department of Agriculture website at http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/recyclingpestcons.htm or contact Karen Kritz of the Department of Agriculture at (609) 984-2506 or karen.kritz@ag.state.nj.us