PLUMSTED The Plumsted Municipal Utilities Authority (PMUA) has reduced its standard quarterly charge of $74 to $62 for trash and recycling collection services the fourth quarter of 2012.
This one-time $12 price reduction is available to PMUA customers whose accounts are current as of the invoice due date of Oct. 16.
The price reduction recognizes the PMUA’s role in helping the township reduce its costs for the operation of the township Recycling Center.
The Township Committee on Sept. 5 recognized the PMUA’s efforts by awarding funds received from the state’s 2012 Clean Communities program to offset a portion of the cost to PMUA customers for their recycling service.
Previously, the township had used Clean Communities funding to offset the costs to operate the Recycling Center. Now that the PMUA is in operation providing these services, the township has awarded the PMUA this funding.
The $12 savings the PMUA is offering equates to the cost PMUA customers are charged for the annual rental of their recycling container ($1 per month) included in the PMUA’s service contract with Waste Management.
The Township Committee’s decision was also based on the PMUA’s efforts in encouraging its customers to recycle more.
The PMUA’s customers are now responsible for the lion’s share of the recyclable material delivered from Plumsted to Ocean County’s Northern Recycling Center (OCNRC) in Lakewood. Of the total 527 tons of recyclable material delivered to the OCNRC from all sources between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012, 63 percent (330 tons) was attributed to the PMUA recycling program. The township receives revenue for this material as part of a revenue share agreement with Ocean County.
The more material the OCNRC receives from Plumsted Township, the more revenue the township receives in return. For the first six months of 2012, the township received $3,578.00 in revenue from Ocean County.
The standard quarterly charge of $74 is guaranteed through June 30, 2014. The service also includes free membership to Recyclebank, a recycling rewards program that provides PMUA customers with reward points for recycling. These points can be redeemed for valuable savings on merchandise or services. According to Recyclebank, the typical Recyclebank customr saves on average $155 annually through this program.
For more information, or to subscribe to the PMUA, contact Peter Ylvisaker at (609) 758-2241 ext. 132.

