An airport that recycles numerous items including polycarbonate runway signs; a municipality with a comprehensive curbside, drop-off and food waste recycling system; and a senior citizen who volunteered to collect and deliver loads of recyclables generated by his neighbors during the COVID pandemic were among those honored as New Jersey’s 2022 recycling leaders, announced Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. Those recently recognized at the DEP’s 41st Annual Recycling Awards program were:
- Millville Executive Airport, Cumberland County
- The Village of Ridgewood, Division of Recycling, Bergen County
- Donald Cammus of Florence Township, Burlington County
- Nestle Health Science of Bridgewater, Somerset County
- Recycle My Battery, Middlesex County
- Atlantic Health System, statewide
“New Jersey is consistently a national leader in recycling, and we applaud the winners for going above and beyond to help keep the environment safe and clean for all,” LaTourette said.
“We commend these award winners for their focused and innovative efforts to protect New Jersey’s environment by keeping it clean and healthy,” said Assistant Commissioner for Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability Paul Baldauf. “We hope their achievements and commitment will inspire others to adopt better recycling practices.”
In 1987, New Jersey became the first state to enact legislation that requires recycling in residential, commercial and institutional settings. The DEP administers several grants and educational programs to help improve the statewide recycling rate. For 2019, New Jersey achieved an overall recycling rate of 56%. The national recycling rate is 32%.