Separating recyclables will be a practice of the past for Burlington County residents starting next May with the implementation of streamlined recycling.
The “big blue cart,” which residents currently use for cardboard and paper, will soon be an all-purpose recycling tool.
Single-stream is convenient, increases recycling volume and saves money, the county’s website says.
Currently, the county is working to find out whether residents are in need of the signature blue cart, or a second cart to supplement the amount of recyclables put to the curb each week.
If residents currently have a 48-gallon, 64-gallon or 96-gallon cart, they’re asked to visit the county website to determine whether they need a second one before May.
To determine whether an extra container will be needed, residents are asked to visit www.co.burlington.nj.us/pages/pages.aspx?cid=1024#FAQS to determine their usage and if another cart is needed. The deadline for registration is Sept. 30.
According to the county, it is estimated that more than 30,000 homes may need an extra cart, of differing sizes. It will take months to gather everyone’s information, order the carts and deliver the right size carts to the right homes next spring. And keep plastic bags out of recycling buckets and carts.
According to township manager Chris Schultz, the program will ultimately save the township money in tipping fees.
“The more residents recycle, the less we pay in tipping and more we can get in tonnage grants,” Schultz said.
The township made commercial trash collection changes in addition to adjusting to bulk trash collection, both of which have impacted township savings.
“The goal is to make recycling easier so more people can put things in the recyclables,” Schultz said. “The less people throw things away, less trash will go to the landfill.”
The new single-stream collection method will ultimately assist the township with operating “within the parameters of the budget.”
“Recycling will help with that. The less the township has to pay in tipping fees, the more Medford saves,” Schultz said. “Nobody likes paying taxes, but what you pay in taxes doesn’t mean there are unlimited resources for collection.”
The township has been making adjustments following an inquiry into its financial situation. Numerous township services have been consolidated to save money as a result. The county single-stream recycling is another piece in saving residents tax dollars.
The county and township ultimately have the same goal: to send less trash to the landfill.
“We would encourage residents to recycle more,” Schultz said.
According to the county, not only is the program free of charge for residents, but the frequency of service will not change.
According to the county, studies show single-stream brings with it an increase of 10 percent or more in recycling. The more people recycle, the less waste there is in landfills. Last year, recycling saved the towns more than $3.2 million in landfill tipping fees. Those cost-savings are effectively tax savings, since they improve the bottom line of municipal budgets.
Currently, major facility modifications are being made to the Robert C. Shinn Recycling Center in Westampton. Following that, new single-stream sorting equipment will be installed, according to the county.
For more information on the program or how to register for an additional cart, visit www.burlcorecycles.com.
