SUSTAINABLE LAWRENCE: Recycling at home or at work

By Jori Fahrenfeld
    Adhering to the sustainable mantra of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is easy at home in Lawrenceville. If you’ve already reduced the amount of disposables or non-recyclables you purchase and you are reusing what you can, recycling is as easy as walking to the end of your driveway. In Lawrence, curbside recycling is scheduled for pickup every other Monday. If you live in a multi-family complex – including townhouses and condominiums, you’ll need to check with your management office for information on recycling.
    Yellow and green recycling buckets are available from the township Public Works department. Use the yellow bucket for cans, bottles, plastic containers marked with a #1 or #2, aseptic containers (juice boxes, milk and juice cartons) and the green bucket for paper. Visit the Web site at www.mcia-nj.com for details on what to include in the buckets and what not to include (remember – when in doubt, leave it out). The Web site also has information on what holidays affect the rescheduling pickup schedule.
    What you may not realize is that recycling pickup is also available for small businesses. Small businesses are eligible to participate in the curbside recycling program if they meet the following criteria: they must place no more than four recycling buckets (either green or yellow) and 15 units of corrugated cardboard out for collection on each scheduled recycling day.
    (I’m encouraged by the businesses down the street from my house who are doing their part and have their recycling buckets out.) Companies who have more than four but less than 10 buckets (either type) on any scheduled recycling day can participate in the program for a fee of $150 per year. Businesses can contact the MCIA recycling office at 609-278-8100 for more information and stickers.
    At this time of year, spring cannot come soon enough. And with the warmer weather, we’ll all be outside in our yards cleaning up – leaves missed last year or branches down from all the high winds we’ve had recently. This brush and yard waste materials is collected once a month by the township and recycled at the Township Ecological Center on Princeton Pike. Compost and wood chips are available free of charge to township residents. The center hours are posted on the township website; Saturday hours start again April 4.
    Recycling at home for cans, bottles and paper plus yard waste. Recycling at Lawrence businesses for cans, bottles and paper. If you work in Lawrence and you’re already recycling – thank you. If you’re not recycling yet, you’ve got all the information you need to start. Recycling works for us all.
    Find further information at www.sustainablelawrence.org. Contact Sustainable Lawrence at (609) 895-1629 with questions or suggestions for additional eco-tips