CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR ANNUAL RECYCLING AWARDS PROGRAM
NOMINATIONS DUE AUGUST 11 TO HONOR THOSE WITH OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO RECYCLING

(17/P75) TRENTON – Nominations are being accepted for an annual recognition program to honor individuals, businesses and governments for excellence in recycling, and inspiring others to do the same, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

DEP, in conjunction with the Association of New Jersey Recyclers (ANJR), annually recognizes excellence in recycling in order to highlight program successes achieved by agencies, businesses, individuals and others in keeping New Jersey communities clean and healthy.

“New Jersey remains a national leader in recycling, which is a crucial component in protecting our environment,” Commissioner Bob Martin said. “This program in particular brings important recognition to those who are doing an outstanding job of keeping our environment safe and clean, and their commitment to recycling is an example to all of what can be done to safeguard our natural resources.”

Nominations are due Friday, August 11 and awardees will be notified in September. Award winners will be honored at the ANJR Symposium and Awards Luncheon on October 18, 2017 in Neptune, Monmouth County.

Applications can be submitted in these categories: Institution, Business, Retail Merchant, Government, Leadership, Rising Star, Outstanding Education/Educational Program, Recycling Industry, Source Reduction/Resource, Management/Sustainability, and Volunteer Citizen.

“We encourage the many people and organizations throughout New Jersey to nominate those in their communities who make recycling a priority and are committed to keeping our environment clean and healthy,” said Paul Baldauf, DEP’s Assistant Commissioner for Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability. “The results of their efforts should be highlighted to demonstrate to others how they are making a difference across the state.”

The 2016 awardees included a diverse group of individuals, businesses and organizations. Among them were an elementary school in Medford, Burlington County; a municipal employee in Brick Township, Ocean County; and a hospital in Ridgewood, Bergen County.

This year marks three decades since New Jersey became the first state to require recycling by passing the New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act, in April 1987. Today, the Christie Administration continues developing policies to further increase recycling rates, and to adapt recycling strategies to match current lifestyles. As part of that effort, DEP requires counties to meet recycling tonnage targets and, with help from local and county partners, promote public participation in recycling programs.

To view the 2017 Recycling Awards application and information packet, visit: www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/awards.htm and www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/index.html

To learn more about the Recycling Awards Program, email Gina Gambacorto at njrecycles@dep.nj.gov or call her at (609) 292-6814.

ANJR is a non-profit, non-partisan network representing the public and private sectors that works to promote sustainability by encouraging sound resource management and recycling strategies through education, advocacy and enhancing professional standards. To learn more about ANJR, visit: www.anjr.com/

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