FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong> Contact: <\/strong> Caryn Shinske (609) 292-2994 \u201cWe\u00a0proudly recognize these award\u00a0winners\u00a0for their diligent work\u00a0to\u00a0keep New Jersey\u2019s environment clean and healthy,\u201d said Paul Baldauf, Assistant Commissioner for Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability.\u00a0\u201cEvery year our winners show us the value of recycling and its importance to the environment. We hope promoting their accomplishments will inspire\u00a0others to adopt better recycling practices.\u201d The DEP urges all residents to participate in their local recycling program and do their part to keep unacceptable materials, such as plastic bags, trash, propane tanks and used syringes, out of curbside and workplace recycling bins.<\/p>\n RECYCLING AWARDS<\/strong><\/p>\n This year\u2019s recycling leaders will be recognized during the Thursday, Nov. 19\u00a0 Association of New Jersey Recyclers webinar\/DEP Recycling Awards ceremony. Register for the program at www.anjr.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n INSTITUTION:\u00a0Princeton\u00a0University<\/strong>\u00a0– The university recycles numerous materials such as glass bottles, plastic containers, aluminum cans, paper, corrugated cardboard, metal, food waste, wooden pallets, mattresses, textiles, tires, construction and demolition debris. The university also has a comprehensive reuse program in place for computers, furniture, office supplies, books and items left behind after students leave at the end of each academic year.<\/p>\n BUSINESS:\u00a0Public Service Electric & Gas \u2013 <\/strong>PSE&G achieved a 93 percent recycling rate in 2019 by recycling the typical materials found in office settings \u2013 paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastic, and metal containers. They also recycle asphalt, soil, tree trimmings, induction light fixtures, wood scraps, lead acid batteries, and ferrous scrap.<\/p>\n RETAIL MERCHANT \u2013 Burlington Stores, Inc. – <\/strong>Burlington Stores, Inc. recycles a wide variety of materials from its New Jersey stores, distribution centers and corporate offices, including corrugated cardboard, wooden pallets, single stream recyclables, scrap metal, electronics, plastic film and fluorescent bulbs.<\/p>\n GOVERNMENT:\u00a0Township of Middletown –<\/strong> The township increased its recycling rate to 75 percent from 65 percent through a comprehensive program that includes single stream curbside collection, two recycling drop-off centers and a polystyrene recycling program open to all Monmouth County residents.<\/p>\n LEADERSHIP:\u00a0Long Beach Township \u2013 <\/strong>The community implemented an innovative voluntary recycling project that diverts oyster and clam shells from restaurants for use in establishing a research oyster reef in Little Egg Harbor Bay.<\/p>\n RISING STAR:\u00a0Lisamarie Schieli – <\/strong>Maywood\u2019s recycling coordinator has developed and implemented a wide variety of reuse and recycling programs for non-traditional waste items including used sports equipment, books, prom dresses, Halloween costumes, jeans, board games and more.<\/p>\n OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR\/EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM:\u00a0Toms River Township Department of Public Works \u2013 <\/strong>The department developed an educational program about recycling and litter prevention that features a puppet show and coloring book for school children and a robot used at public events.<\/p>\n RECYCLING INDUSTRY:\u00a0Foam Cycle LLC \u2013 <\/strong>The company\u2019s recycling system for expanded polystyrene packaging has been successfully incorporated into existing recycling programs at county and municipal recycling centers. The system in 2019 diverted almost 29,000 pounds of expanded polystyrene packaging from New Jersey landfills.<\/p>\n SOURCE REDUCTION, RESOURCE MANAGEMENT\/SUSTAINABILITY:\u00a0Merck & Co., Inc. \u2013 <\/strong>The pharma company implemented a variety of waste reduction, recycling and sustainability programs, including a food waste recycling program that uses on-site composters, a program to recycle plastics generated by the company\u2019s laboratories and a reusable coffee mug initiative.<\/p>\n VOLUNTEER CITIZEN:\u00a0 Sri Nihal Tammana \u2013 <\/strong>The Edison 11-year-old boy started a non-profit organization dedicated to recycling batteries, including rechargeable batteries and button batteries. To date, his efforts have resulted in recycling more than 35,000 batteries.<\/p>\n To learn more about recycling in New Jersey, visit\u00a0dep.nj.gov\/sustainability\/outreach-and-education\/recycling\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\nNovember 17, 2020<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nLawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795<\/p>\n<\/div>\nDEP TO HONOR NEW JERSEY RECYCLING LEADERS AT VIRTUAL AWARDS PROGRAM IN NOVEMBER<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The Department of Environmental Protection will recognize Merck & Co., Inc. in Kenilworth, Union County, Middletown Township in Monmouth County, Princeton University in Princeton, Mercer County, and Sri Nihal Tammana of Edison, Middlesex County among\u00a010 businesses, organizations and individuals during a Thursday, Nov. 19 virtual awards ceremony being held in conjunction with an Association of New Jersey Recyclers educational webinar. Register for the webinar and ceremony at\u00a0 www.anjr.com<\/a>.\u201cI commend the award winners for their innovative efforts to promote recycling and educate their communities about the importance of diverting waste,\u201d DEP Commissioner\u00a0Catherine R. McCabe\u00a0said.\u00a0\u201cNew Jersey has been a national leader in recycling for many years, thanks in part to the types of initiatives we see from our recycling award winners and those who follow their excellent examples. Their work helps protect our environment by keeping communities clean and reducing the impacts of climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nIn 1987, New Jersey became the first state to enact legislation that requires recycling in residential, commercial and institutional settings.\u00a0New Jersey achieved an overall recycling rate of 60 percent in 2017.\u00a0The DEP administers a number of grant and educational programs\u00a0to help improve the statewide recycling rate.<\/p>\n