Editorial-Oct. 16, 2008

Lambertville has new mix of recyclables

By Mae Rhine, Managing Editor
   Lambertville residents lobbied long and hard to have plastics added to the list of recyclables the city picks up.
   Now it’s a reality.
   Starting Monday, the new recycling program will pick up plastics labeled with numbers 1 through 7. They also don’t have to separate recyclables. They can mix glass, aluminum, tin, steel and bimetal compounds.
   That’s a good thing.
   But if people have more specific questions about the new method of recycling material, they should attend a question-and-answer session at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Justice Center at 25 S. Union St.
   It’s a good opportunity to find out more about the new recycling method and to have your questions answered about specific materials.
   If there are gaps in the new program, this is the time to find out.
   The program is designed to save the city money because it will lower the fee per ton to dump regular garbage. In addition, the city could reap some benefits from selling the recyclables.
   On a lighter note, in celebration of the new recycling program, the annual Halloween parade will feature a new category. Children can dress in costumes made from recyclable materials, such as plastic bottles, newspapers, cans, office paper and cardboard.
   The city Recycling Committee has tossed out a few ideas, such as a tin man using cans, a robot from cardboard boxes, a costume made of papier mâché using newspapers or even a sculpture made of whatever items you choose.
   It’s a fun way to celebrate a cost-saving program. And when the parade is over, just recycle the costume.