| County takes recycling prize |
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By: Anthony Noto / Correspondent Middlesex County has once again been named the top-recycling county in the state, according to the latest data from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. "We're number one, and we're proud of it," said Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel. Crabiel added that Middlesex County is a major leader in the state and beat out 21 other counties for the third time since 1995, exceeding 60 percent for the ninth time. Of over 2,500,000 tons of waste generated in Middlesex County, 62.3 percent of that total was recycled, according to the latest NJDEP report. Crabiel acknowledged the hard work of Middlesex County citizens, the Division of Solid Waste Management, the Middlesex County Improvement Authority, the Middlesex County Utilities Authority and the Middlesex County Public Health Department for their successful recycling programs. By keeping 62.3 percent of all waste out of the dump located in East Brunswick, the county could save money and lessen the amount of toxins released into the air, said Freeholder Camille Fernicola, chairperson for the county's Committee for Engineering and Planning, which oversees the Division of Solid Waste Management. "The county has all these programs in place, and they certainly benefit the environment," Fernicola said. She also expressed pride in another county program, which is planned to include the University. "This is a program that would allow Rutgers to separate food from the waste stream and convert it into an agricultural fertilizer with a secondary potential for alternative fuel," said Rich Hills, division head of the county's Division of Solid Waste Management. Hills explained that methane gas could be harnessed from food waste and used to reduce our reliance on oil, rather than letting waste matter decompose and allowing the toxin to be admitted into the air, which could be harmful. "Rutgers is critical to this [plan] … it most likely generates a significant amount of food waste," he said, adding that food waste could be very useful if it were to be delivered to Converted Organics, a processing facility to be built in Woodbridge. Priscilla Hayes, the executive director of the Solid Waste Resource Renewal Group at the University, agreed. "This is essentially part of a larger dialogue going on at the University," she said. "By keeping food waste out of landfills, we can substantially reduce methane emissions into our atmosphere." Over the past 10 years, Hayes has become one of the prime experts on food waste recycling in the state of New Jersey. "Our initiative at Rutgers has been instrumental in helping to provide resources in building a sustainable industry based on food waste," she said. The county and the MCIA sponsors a wide range of other school-oriented programs geared toward increasing recycling efforts. Among them are when outdated books can no longer be used, sold or given away and are then taken and recycled. In addition to collecting standard materials like glass, plastic, aluminum, cardboard and newspaper, events are held to collect paint, household batteries, tires and household electronics. Paper shredding events and yard waste programs has also become popular among county residents. |
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