Recycling: Helping the Environment While Reducing Taxes

The Manalapan Township Environmental Commission held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 26. A main topic of discussion was the state of the township’s recycling program and residents’ participation in it.

The commission’s goal is to see the township increase its recycling usage to meet the Monmouth County standard of 50 percent. This percentage is based on the amount of materials that are recyclable versus the amount that get recycled. Manalapan’s recycling percentage is estimated in the low 30s. 

To meet the 50 percent goal, the commission recommends the Manalapan Township Council place a larger emphasis on making recycling more accessible to residents. The council is compiling a list of specifications to be included in their call for bids for a recycling contractor; the township’s current contract with Waste Management expires in December 2011.

Under the current contract, garbage is picked up twice per week with recycling picked up once every two weeks. In its letter of recommendation to the council, the commission suggests changing the schedule to have both recycling and garbage removed once per week.

To increase residents’ participation, the commission would like to see more community education about the benefits of recycling. 

“Recycling is not only good for the environment, but can lead to reduced taxes because of the significant financial savings. The town pays a tipping fee that is based on weight to dispose of trash," Jenine Tankoos, Chairperson of the Environmental Commission, said. "The more residents recycle, the less we pay in tipping fees and the savings really add up.”

The commission promotes community education through a local cable television show, “Green Matters,” which it produces.

“We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback on the recycling episode.  We continue to keep it on the air as a way of educating residents about how to recycle in our town," Tankoos said.

The commission is also working to raise awareness about conservation easements within the township. Conservation easements are legally enforceable land preservation agreements. Landowners with conservation easements on their properties are required to adhere to certain building restrictions. The commission will soon publish an informative brochure on the purposes and importance of easements.

Last year, members of the Environmental Commission built a rain garden by fields G and H at the . The supplies for the project were donated by Steven Kristoph Nursery. A new garden is scheduled to be planted at Scout Park, formerly known as Holiday Park.  Steven Kristoph Nursery has been hired to lead this project.

The Environmental Commission will also have a booth on Manalapan Day, which is scheduled for June 11 at 4 p.m. and will be held at the township’s Recreation Center. Environmental Commission members will be present to provide information and answer questions about human and environmental health.

The next Environmental Commission meeting is scheduled for May 18 at 8 p.m. in room 213 of the .