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1999 GREENHOUSE, NURSERY FILM
RECYCLING PROJECT UNDERWAY
 
For Immediate Release: February 9, 1999 Contact:

Hope Gruzlovic
(609)292-8896
hope.gruzlovic@ag.state.nj.us

     
New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Art Brown, Jr., reminded growers that the 1999 greenhouse and nursery film collection and recycling program is under way through June 1, 1999. Participating growers can take their clean film to either of the two NJDA-approved collection sites in Cumberland County, East Coast Recycling in Millville and the Cumberland County Improvement Authority in Deerfield.

"This is the third year we've offered the greenhouse and nursery film collection program," Brown said. "Thanks to this program, we kept almost 735,000 pounds of film out of landfills and recycled it for other uses."

The program is open to all growers throughout New Jersey. Growers can use commercial contractors to haul the material to the collection sites or they can transport the material in their own vehicles WITHOUT a solid waste transport permit from the NJDEP. Growers with small quantities of film are encouraged to work together to collect a quantity of film, which can be economically transported to the collection sites.

According to Brown, New Jersey's program serves as a model for other states.

"We've had a number of inquiries about how we developed and implemented our film collection and recycling program," Brown said. "We tell them the most important thing is to create a partnership of growers, industry and government to streamline the regulatory and operational processes."

Both white and clear nursery film and clear multi-season (two-year, three-year and four-year) greenhouse covers can be recycled. Film must be free of lathing, staples and saran. Loads containing other agricultural plastics, such as bags, mulch film, shrink film, stretch film or ground cover film, will be rejected at the collection sites. "In previous years, New Jersey growers did a tremendous job of maintaining good quality control on the film they recylcled," Brown noted. "It is imperative that growers be diligent to insure that the film is as clean as possible. Clean film is much easier to market, especially at times like this when the market for used film is slow."

NJDA has received a grant from NJDEP to offset a portion of the program's operating cost. During the 1999 program, approved collection sites will receive a partial reimbursement for their collection and baling costs based on the volume of film recycled by New Jersey growers. The collection sites will only receive reimbursement for the film generated by New Jersey growers.

For additional information on the nursery and greenhouse film recycling project, growers can contact NJDA at (609) 984-2506; e-mail karen.kritz@ag.state.nj.us; call the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association at (609) 291-7070; or call AT Plastics at 1-800-661-3606.
1999 APPROVED COLLECTION SITES FOR GREENHOUSE & NURSERY FILM

CUMBERLAND COUNTY SOLID WASTE COMPLEX
169 Jesse Bridge Road
Deerfield, New Jersey
(609) 825-3700

Prior to delivery of the film, all growers MUST call the Authority to establish an account. In addition, growers using a licensed solid waste hauler MUST inform the Authority prior to delivery in order t maintain proper billing and documentation.

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 7:30 am - 3:30 pm, Saturday by appointment only
Tipping Fees: $10.00 per ton
Drop-off requirements:
  • Film must be rolled into manageable bundles. If a grower chooses to tie the bundle (not required), the tie MUST be made of greenhouse film. Material MUST be free from all debris including wood, shrink wrap, nails and any other material foreign to said film.
  • Film which is dirty or not properly prepared will be rejected.
Additional Services: Additional services are available on a case-by-case basis. Contact the Authority with special needs.

EAST COAST RECYCLING ASSOCIATES
Millville Industrial Park
1801 Eden Road
Millville, New Jersey
(609) 327-8888

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 7:30 am -4:00 pm
Tipping Fees: $0.00
Drop-off requirements:
  • Film must be bundled and tied (the tie MUST be made of greenhouse film ) OR placed in boxes on pallets. Material MUST be free of any debris including, but not limited to, wood, stones, dirt, etc. Film which is dirty or not properly prepared will be rejected.
  • At the time of delivery, or as soon thereafter as practical, the material will be weighed and a ticket issued stating the weight, less any pallets and boxes.