Are you aware that the State of New Jersey has a goal to recycle 60% of its waste stream by 2030? This goal requires that both “traditional” source separated materials and “non-traditional” items are recycled.
This article will explain what these materials are, where they should go and how to order additional bins. The state has a collection center located in the Public Safety Building. The Public Safety Building’s lobby has an RX Drop Box.
What Is Recycling & What to Recycle
In New Jersey, residents recycle more than 1.6 million tons of paper and corrugated cardboard every year. They also compost nearly 73,000 tons of leaves. While many people don’t think about the possibility of recycling large items, there are ways to recycle everything from tires to concrete. Recycling concrete from sidewalks, buildings, and driveways can save you money and help the environment. In NJ, you can use recycled concrete to make new driveways or stairs.
To properly recycle your old electronics, you must follow strict regulations. You cannot throw your e-waste in regular trash. Recyclables can be dropped off at your local recycling center for free, and most municipal drop-off sites require you to show proof of residency to be accepted. All commercial businesses and consumers are also required to arrange pick-up of their old electronics and recycle them. These companies are usually able to recycle almost anything – no matter the brand or model.
You can recycle most plastic containers – just remember to rinse them well and remove the caps. Then, decide which plastic containers you would like to recycle. When it comes to trash, you can recycle both plastic and paper. You should also choose the materials that can be recycled, including aluminum, plastic, and glass. NJ requires that residents recycle designated materials curbside. Recycling programs are growing and changing and residents should look for information on the latest rules and regulations.
What types of items can be recycled?
Paper products, such as newspaper, are recyclable. Other materials include plastic bags, softcover books, and paper packaging. Metal items, such as pots and pans, are also accepted. Plastics include bubble wrap, flower pots, and microwave food trays. Paper products are recyclable, but only if they are clean and contain no food waste. These items can be shredded or cut into smaller pieces.
The most common materials to recycle in New Jersey are paper and corrugated cardboard. The state’s residents also composted 73,000 tons of leaves. While most of these items are recyclable, others can’t be disposed of in curbside recycling programs. Brick, concrete, and asphalt are recyclable, but most people aren’t aware that they can be recycled. In addition to paper, there are also 5.6 million tons of electronic waste, including cell phones, computer monitors, DVD players, and printer cartridges.
What types of items can be recycled in Newark? The state’s Solid Waste Management Plan requires that certain materials be separated. Recycling firms must comply with these rules or face monetary penalties. If not, businesses will have to pay fines of up to $1,000 per day. While proper recycling requires effort and attention, it helps the environment and community. And, the process of recycling can be lucrative for businesses. You can make money by recycling certain materials and making them available for sale.
What goes in the recycling bin?
In New Jersey, residents recycle 1.6 million tons of paper and corrugated cardboard every year. Another 73,000 tons of leaves are composted, and concrete, brick, asphalt, and other building materials can be recycled. The state also recycles 5.6 million tons of e-waste (electronics and electronic products), which includes cell phones, computer monitors, and printer cartridges. Recyclable materials include plastic tubs labeled #1 and #2.
In New Jersey, consumers can no longer place e-waste in their general trash. Instead, they can take it to local municipal recycling centers for free. In some areas, however, corrugated cardboard must be separated from other recyclables. To ensure that these materials are picked up properly, tie them with string to make it easier to pick up. After that, you should break them down to make them easy to transport.
Single-use plastic bags are a common problem at recycling facilities. They get stuck in sorting rollers and stop the process. Single-use shopping bags are accepted at some supermarkets, but these bags can wrap around the rollers, preventing them from sorting recyclables. Despite this problem, New Jersey is trying to make single-use plastic bags more environmentally friendly by banning them. This is the most popular ban on single-use plastic bags.
NJ Recycling Centers in the State
There are numerous centers in New Jersey for recycling non-traditional items such as glass and metal. Residents can take used aluminum or plastic beverage cans to any of the centers to recycle them for free. Residents should not leave used cooking oil or other materials at the curb. Only liquid vegetable oil may be poured into the tanks. Other materials such as shortening, lard, motor oil, and coconut oil are not allowed. Attendants at these centers are available to help residents empty the containers. Additionally, residents can request a free gallon plastic jug for the use of the center.
Recycling your corrugated cardboard will help reduce your carbon footprint by saving up to 75% of energy. And by recycling your corrugated cardboard, you’ll also reduce the amount of sulfur dioxide emitted by the landfills. And when it comes to metal, you’ll be happy to hear that many drop-off recycling centers in the state actually pay you to recycle your scrap metal. To get the most out of your recycling, familiarize yourself with the most common metal scrap.
There are also specialized centers in New Jersey for recycling non-traditional items. Residents must make sure that their recyclables are placed in paper bags or boxes, and use a blue or red decal to identify them. Yard waste must be placed in a container and branches must be tied in bundles of three feet or less. While the amount of recyclable materials may vary, you can be sure that it will be collected properly.
NJ Recycling Summary
New Jersey recently passed a bill to ban single-use plastic bags and limit the amount of plastic foodservice products. The legislation is intended to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfills. This will include plastic and paper carryout bags and polystyrene foam foodservice products. The legislation is controversial, and opponents and supporters both see it as a huge shift in recycling. But the future of the state’s recycling industry remains unclear.
The New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act requires twenty-one counties to adopt comprehensive recycling plans. The law also requires residents and businesses to recycle at least three materials. The actual list of acceptable recyclable materials will vary by municipality, but most will include similar materials. The counties may also require additional materials, which are not included in the mandatory list. Therefore, it is important to find a plan that meets the requirements of your municipality.
In addition to the mandatory recycling, New Jersey also has legislation that requires large food waste generators generating 52 tons of food waste annually to recycle their food waste at an approved facility. Businesses can only comply with the law if they are located within 25 miles of a recycling facility. If the cost of transporting and processing the food at a recycling facility exceeds the cost of disposal as solid waste, the recycling requirement applies.
