Ridgewood Receives Over $50K for Recycling Efforts

Ridgewood is the recipient of $55,085 in grant money awarded by the Christie Administration to enhance local recycling efforts, officials announced Monday. Neighboring Glen Rock took home $21,823, according to the state.

This year's grant is based on the recycling successes local governments demonstrated in 2010. In 2010, New Jersey reached a 40-percent municipal solid waste recycling rate for the first time since 1998.

"Recycling is a high priority of the Christie Administration because it improves our environment while also creating tangible economic benefits for municipalities,'' said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin in a statement. "As we observe the 25th anniversary of the state's Mandatory Recycling Act this year, a landmark law that made New Jersey the first state to require recycling, we are making a call to action across the state for everyone to renew their commitment to recycle.''

The grant program is funded by a $3 per ton surcharge on trash disposed at solid waste facilities, the DEP said. Local governments receive 60 percent of the money the fund generates to help enhance recycling outreach and compliance efforts.

State Senator Kevin O'Toole (R-40) in a statement said municipalities should receive the check within a few weeks.

"The recycling tonnage grants represent recognition of each town’s ability to encourage recycling among residents and they offer an incentive for each town to achieve greater recycling results," said O’Toole. "The more trash we can keep out of the garbage stream, the better it is for our environment and our wallets."