Saturday, Nov. 16 is National Recycle Day.
TRENTON – As part of America Recycles Day Friday, Nov. 16, the Department of Environmental Protection is reminding residents across New Jersey that regular recycling will help protect the environment and conserve natural resources.
America Recycles Day, a Keep America Beautiful national initiative focused on promoting and celebrating recycling, gives residents an opportunity to help keep their communities clean and vibrant. More than 2,000 events are planned nationwide for America Recycles Day.
The Atlantic County Utilities Authority will be holding an open house that includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the Recycling Center located at 6700 Delilah Rd. in Egg Harbor Township, touch-a-truck and recycling games and crafts, and a visit with the ACUA mascot, Supercan. Community organizations will also have tables set up with activities.
“New Jersey has been a national leader in recycling for more than 30 years because we recognize the positive impacts recycling has on our environment, economy and efforts to protect and conserve natural resources,” Acting Assistant Commissioner for Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability Francis Steitz said. “We remind the public that recycling keeps communities clean, safeguards public health and improves the overall quality of life. This is one way everyone can make a real difference every day to protect the environment.”
In 1987, New Jersey became the first state to make recycling mandatory, adopting the Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act. The law requires recycling in residential, commercial and institutional settings.
In 2016, New Jersey achieved an overall recycling rate of 61 percent and remains a national leader in recycling. The DEP administers several grant and educational programs to encourage recycling.
You can give your old bicycle new life and keep it out of the landfill by bringing it to the ACUA for its Pedals for Progress program. Bring a bicycle and a $10 donation to the Recycling Center between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The bikes will be distributed to poor working adults in developing countries.
Old sewing machines can also be recycled. Each one collected and a $10 donation will help someone in a developing country open a small business.
Click here to learn more about Pedals for Progress.
ACUA’s America Recycles Day Open House will also be a drop-off location for Second Chance Toys, which collects used toys for donation to disadvantaged children. Toys must be plastic only, clean and have no missing parts. Toys are too small for donation if they can fit through a toilet paper roll. If the toy includes a battery, they should be functioning and secured within the toy.
Click here to learn more about Second Chance Toys.
Atlantic County 4-H Electronic Recycling, Master Composters, Americorp NJ Watershed Ambassador, Stockton University Noyes Arts Garage and the university Art Club will also be in attendance.
Click here to find out if you are recycling the right way.
