CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION AWARDS $15 MILLION IN MUNICIPAL GRANTS TO BOLSTER LOCAL RECYCLING EFFORTS

(14/P140) TRENTON – New Jersey’s municipalities will receive more than $15 million in state recycling grants to help implement and enhance local recycling efforts, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

The funds, based on 2012 recycling data, are being awarded starting this week through the state’s Recycling Enhancement Act.

“Recycling is not only important for our environment, it also provides economic benefits by saving our cities and towns money and by creating jobs,” said Commissioner Martin. “I am proud to see the commitment to recycling demonstrated by our residents and local governments.’’

The recycling grant program is funded by a $3 per ton surcharge on trash disposed of at solid waste facilities across the state. Distribution of grants this year is based on the recycling successes local governments demonstrated in 2012.

In 2012, New Jersey generated more than 10.2 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW), more commonly known as trash or garbage, which is generated from homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses. The DEP documented the recycling of more than 4.4 million tons of recyclable municipal wastes such as glass, aluminum and other metals, and paper.

This resulted in a MSW recycling rate of 44 percent, an increase of 4 percent from 2011. By comparison, the national MSW recycling rate in 2012 was 34.5 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Overall, nearly 20.2 million tons of solid waste (including construction debris and other types of non-MSW waste) were generated in New Jersey in 2012, of which 11 million tons were recycled. The overall waste generated and amount of materials recycled were impacted significantly by debris generated by Superstorm Sandy.

Municipal programs receiving the highest grant awards for 2012 recycling efforts are: Newark (Essex County) $277,283; Vineland (Cumberland County) $243,365; Toms River (Ocean County) $240,510; Jersey City (Hudson County) $226,085; Clifton (Passaic County) $224,417; Paterson (Passaic County) $221,874; Middletown (Monmouth County ($204,362); South Brunswick (Middlesex County) $181,578; Woodbridge (Middlesex County) $165,414; and Cherry Hill (Camden County) $164,279.

“We still have the goal of achieving 50 percent municipal recycling in New Jersey and we would like to see our overall recycling rate grow beyond 60 percent and stay there,” said DEP Assistant Commissioner for Environmental Management Jane Herndon. “We’re pleased this grant program serves as an incentive to help boost recycling throughout the state.’’

“The grants can help municipalities in many ways. They can purchase the best and biggest recycling containers with these funds, educate residents and businesses about the benefits of recycling, and help local governments support recycling staff,” added Herndon.

For a complete list of  recycling grants by municipality, visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/stat_links/2012payout.pdf

For more information on recycling in New Jersey, visit:   http://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/