MIDDLETOWN – The Township will receive one of the highest grant awards from the state to implement and further enhance local recycling efforts.
The township made the top 10 in this latest round of funding from the state Department of Environmental Protection with an award of $204,362. The grant is based on 2012 recycling successes. In Middletown, the recycling rate increased over 50 percent that year because the township switched to single stream recycling, said Township Administrator Anthony Mercantante.
“A measure of credit belongs to our residents and business who are taking advantage of the many recycling options offered by the township,” said Mayor Stephanie Murray. “With the continued support of the community, I’m looking forward to seeing our recycling rates continue to grow,” said Mayor Murray.
Middletown historically receives some of the largest grant awards though the program as a result of a continuing commitment to recycle as much material as possible. This year the township began to accept heavy plastics at the recycling center to stop more waste from going the landfill. Heavy plastics includes things like children’s outdoor play equipment and garbage cans, said Township Public Works Director Ted Maloney.
The township made the switch to single stream recycling in 2012, allowing residents to put all their household recycling into one bin. Recycling is accepted curbside and at the township’s Recycling Center at Kanes Lane. In 2010, the township was recycling a wider array of paper products including cardboard, junk mail, magazines, office paper and newsprint.
An awareness campaign, Recycle2Save, was also launched in 2010 to remind the community that recycling is not only a boost not only for the environment, but the township budget. The more the community the recycles, the less the township sends to the landfill which creates savings in disposal fees. The value of recycling is furthered by the revenue that is generated from the sale of the recyclables collected, Maloney explained.