New Jersey Awarded Grant for Recycling Effort
The state acknowledged Ridgewood's recycling efforts this week, awarding the village more than $55,000 in grant money to continue its environmental protection initiatives.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the funding this week and based the rewards to municipalities across the state on the number of tons recycled in 2010. The DEP, through its Recycling Enhancement Act, will distribute a total of $1.5 million in grants.
"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," state Sen. Kevin O'Toole said in a press statement. "The more trash we can keep out of the garbage stream, the better it is for our environment and our wallets."
"The recycling grant received by the Village of Ridgewood is deposited in the Recycling Trust Account and is used to purchase capital equipment," Moritz said, adding that the money will also support the operating budget.
According to the DEP, the recycling grant program is funded by a $3 per ton surcharge on material disposed at solid waste facilities. Individual municipalities benefit from 60 percent of the money that the fund makes. The grant money will be received in a few weeks, and plans for the funds are already in place.