For Immediate Release:
July 30, 2015
Freeholders award $20k in recycling grants
Municipalities rewarded for increasing their recycling rate
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – A 10 percent boost in local recycling rates generated $10,000 reward checks for the eastern Monmouth County towns of Oceanport and Ocean Township.
As part of Monmouth County’s Recycling Stimulus Initiative (RSI) grant program, municipalities that increase their recycling rates are eligible for grant awards to further enhance their local recycling efforts.
“Improving recycling rates in out towns keeps our County beautiful,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso, liaison to the Monmouth County Reclamation Center. “We are proud of all of the efforts made by the mayors and their towns to promote recycling. We want to thank Oceanport and Ocean Township for doing their part.”
Ocean Township was awarded a $10,000 grant for their plans to add improvements to their newly built recycling center, including the construction of catwalks and stairs to make the facility more user-friendly and bumpers to eliminate damage to the onsite retaining walls. The township will also be purchasing windshield decals to help residents easily identify their vehicles when they access the facility.
The Freeholders presented the check to Ocean Township Recycling Coordinator Nancy Peak, Councilmen Richard Long, Robert Acerra, Sr. and Tom Crochet, Director of Public Works.
Oceanport was also awarded a $10,000 grant for their plans to relocate their recycling center to former Fort Monmouth lands. The borough will also create public service announcements for their residents to promote recycling and work with Monmouth County Clean Communities to educate the school children about recycling and litter abatement.
The Freeholders presented the check to Oceanport Public Works Foreman and Recycling Coordinator Demetrio Zarate.
“Both towns boosted their recycling rates by educating their residents, schools and businesses about proper recycling and waste removal,” said DiMaso. “Education about recycling and waste removal is essential to keep waste out of our water supply and to extend the life of the County landfill.”
In order to qualify for a grant under the RSI grant program, each town had to set up an appointment with Reclamation Center staff to determine what recycling efforts were being made to in the town. The town also had to attend three Municipal Recycling Coordinators meetings and raise the local recycling rate by at least two percent.
“For each percent the town increased the recycling rate over two, they would receive $1,000 in grant money,” said Freeholder Director Gary J. Rich, Sr. “The towns must use the funds for a recycling-based project that is approved by the County before being awarded.”
The check presentations were made at the Board of Chosen Freeholders’ regular public meeting on July 23 in West Long Branch.
The RSI grant program is overseen by the Recycling Division of the Monmouth County Reclamation Center. For more information about recycling programs, call 732-683-8686.
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