County Says Recycling Program Saved $2.5 Million So Far in 2012

Toms River–Despite A global dip in the recyclable commodities market, Ocean County’s recycling program continues to save municipalities millions of dollars each year.

“We saw the selling prices for nearly all of our recyclable materials fall this year, but our recycling efforts still saved municipalities more than $2.5 million,” said Freeholder James F. Lacey.

From January 1st through June 30th, municipalities recycled 35,819 tons of paper, plastic, glass, cardboard and other materials.

By keeping that waste out of the landfill, the towns saved $2,550,683 in tipping fees so far in 2012, Lacey said.

“Our recycling program continues to be one of the most successful in all of North America,” Lacey said. “Working together with our municipalities we have also distributed more than $13 million back to the towns since 1995.”

For the first six months of this year, $486,066 was returned to municipalities as part of the county’s revenue sharing program.

“During tough economic times this return to the towns is not only a benefit but an incentive to continue these great recycling practices,” Lacey said.

The amount returned to the towns is based on the amount of recyclables collected and brought to the county and the price per commodity in the current market.

The payout for the period of January to June was $13.57 a ton. The payout for the last six months of 2011 was $19.29 a ton.

Lacey said the falling commodity market is a result of the weakened global economy.

“We’ve seen the selling prices of some plastics fall nearly $240 a ton since the beginning of the year,” Lacey said. “Aluminum is down $200 and tin $120.”

Despite these price drops, towns are still saving money and protecting the environment, said Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little.

“This revenue sharing program has given us the ability to turn trash into treasure,” Little said. “The recycling program, under the leadership of Jim Lacey, remains profitable economically and environmentally.”

The towns and the amounts they are scheduled to receive are: Barnegat Township, $17,873; Barnegat Light, $1,332; Bay Head, $1,373; Beach Haven, $3,670; Beachwood, $6,699; Berkeley Township, $23,631; Brick Township, $51,142; Eagleswood Township, $1,398; Harvey Cedars, $891; Island Heights, $1,429; Jackson Township, $30,758; Lacey Township, $26,351; Lakehurst, $1,711; Lakewood Township, $74,821; Lavallette, $3,195; Little Egg Harbor Township, $18,191; Long Beach Township, $7,314; Manchester Township, $20,069; Mantoloking, $524; Ocean Township, $5,946; Ocean Gate, $1,611; Pine Beach, $1,630; Plumsted Township, $3,578; Point Pleasant Beach, $6,617; Point Pleasant Borough, $21,931; Seaside Heights, $4,073; Seaside Park, $3,224; Ship Bottom, $2,919; South Toms River Township, $1,683; Stafford Township, $37,713; Surf City, $2,624; Toms River Township, $95,246; Tuckerton, $4,886.

Posted by Ocean County News on Sep 1 2012. Filed under Beachwood, Berkeley, Brick, In the News, Island Heights, Jackson, Jersey Shore, Lakehurst, Lakewood, Manchester, New Egypt, New Jersey, Ortley Beach, Point Pleasant, Politics, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Toms River. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.