TRENTON – Nominations are being accepted in 10 categories for an annual recognition program to celebrate individuals, businesses and governments for excellence in recycling, and inspiring others to the same commitment, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced today.
The DEP, in conjunction with the Association of New Jersey Recyclers, annually recognizes excellence in recycling in order to highlight program successes achieved by agencies, businesses, individuals and others who help keep New Jersey communities clean and healthy.
“While the worldwide recycling community currently faces significant recycling market challenges, there are still plenty of great things happening in recycling and waste reduction in New Jersey,” McCabe said. “This awards program recognizes those achievements, and helps showcase why New Jersey is a national leader in recycling.”
Last year, the Atlantic County Utilities Authority received the Outstanding Educator/Educational Program Award for using social media and its
website to reach the community about recycling. And Stockton University received the Institution Award for its annual RecycleMania competition, which helped the university achieve a 41% recycling rate in 2017.
Applications may be submitted in the following categories: Institution, Business, Retail Merchant, Government, Leadership, Rising Star, Recycling Industry, Outstanding Educator/Educational Program, Volunteer Citizen and Source Reduction/Resource Management/Sustainability.
Nominations are due Friday, July 26 and awardees will be notified in September. Award winners will be honored at the Association of New Jersey Recyclers Symposium and Awards Luncheon on Oct. 10 in Neptune, Monmouth County.
“We encourage the many people and organizations throughout New Jersey to nominate those in their communities who make recycling a priority, have helped educate residents and businesses on the importance of keeping our recycling stream free of unacceptable items and are committed to keeping our environment clean and healthy,” said Paul Baldauf, assistant commissioner for Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability. “The results of their efforts should be highlighted to demonstrate to others how they are making a difference across the state.”
New Jersey was the first state to require recycling by passing the New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act in April 1987. Today, the state continues developing policies to further increase recycling rates, clean up the recycling stream and to adapt recycling strategies to match current lifestyles.
To view the 2019 Recycling Awards application and information packet, visit www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/awards.htm or www.recycle.nj.gov.
To learn more about the Recycling Awards Program, email Steven Rinaldi at njrecycles@dep.nj.gov or call him at 609-633-0538.
