The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has announced and published the 2010 Recycling Tonnage Grants. As you all know, this grant is based on 2009 recycling tonnage data from our markets and our Recycling collection in town.
Last year the Township of Union became the Number one municipality in the county with the highest tonnage of recyclable material disposed and with the largest amount of grant money.
This year, because of the state budget cuts announced earlier by the governor , we expected a 13% decrease on out tonnage grant amount, despite maintaining the recycling tonnage .
I am proud to announce that the 2010 Recycling tonnage grant for the township of Union is once again the highest in the county and we are in receipt of the largest amount of grant money in the county.
Despite the expected cuts, our recycling grant exceeded the $100,000.00 mark, an outstanding achievement from the $40,000 that we normally received prior to this committee launching the Green Initiative.
My heartfelt thanks go to the men and women of the department of Public Works who work diligently every day to be more efficient and effective in provide services to our community and, I would be remised if I did not acknowledge a heartfelt thank you to all the residents who recycle, reuse and reduce waste. I know that at time it seems worthless and useless, however I just want to point out that had this tonnage go to the landfill, beside the loss in the grant award an additional $ 300,000 would have to be passed on the taxpayers in dumping fees to the landfill.
Again, thank you residents for participating in our recycling program. Without you this would not be at all possible.
COMMISSIONER FIGUIREDO
