(TRENTON) – Senator Paul A. Sarlo and Assembly members Gary S. Schaer and Marlene Caride (all D-Bergen/Passaic) today announced almost half a million in municipal recycling tonnage grants from the state Department of Environmental Protection to fund recycling efforts in the 36th district
“Communities that are going green by encouraging recycling are finding, in addition to the environment, they are also saving a lot of ‘green,'” said Sarlo. “Not only do they see themselves saving money by sending less to landfills and paying less in tipping fees, they also find themselves earning money through programs like this. Whenever government and residents work together to promote a more sustainable community, everyone wins.”
“These grants will help our municipalities implement and enhance recycling efforts that are not only good for the environment, but can help reduce municipal costs,” said Schaer. The less waste, the less money must be spent to dispose of it. As towns struggle to find ways to tighten their belts, these grants will allow our municipalities in Bergen and Passaic counties to continue to contribute to a greener New Jersey, while reducing expenses for taxpayers.”
“The benefits of effective recycling programs are not limited to the environment. They can help curb the expense of disposal thus alleviating cash-strapped municipalities and taxpayers,” said Caride. “These grants will allow our towns in the 36th district to continue to make our communities and the Garden State a cleaner place to live for future generations.”
The DEP grant money is made available through the Recycling Enhancement Act, and is funded by a $3 per ton surcharge on trash disposed at solid waste facilities. In total, the 36th district received $469,924. Below is a list of grant amounts and the towns they will benefit:
- $100,866 for Passaic
- $79,063 for Carlstadt
- $45,415 for East Rutherford
- $33,335 for South Hackensack
- $30,716 for Moonachie
- $29,346 for Cliffside Park
- $29,227 for Lyndhurst
- $26,067 for North Arlington
- $20,458 for Rutherford
- $19,812 for Ridgefield Park
- $18,557 for Ridgefield
- $11,655 for Little Ferry
- $11,501 for Wood Ridge
- $9,708 for Wallington
- $4,198 for Teterboro