Monmouth County recently received $523,118 through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Recycling Enhancement Act (REA).
The REA permits a $3 per ton surcharge on trash that is disposed at solid waste facilities to fund recycling efforts throughout the state, according to a press release from the county.
The DEP assigns the money collected from the additional payment back to the 21 counties and their municipalities in the form of grant dollars. This year’s grants are based on recycling data from 2017, according to the press release.
“I am thrilled the state is recognizing our excellent recycling performance and awarding this grant to further advance our recycling efforts here in Monmouth County,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the Monmouth County Recycling Division.
“I would like to thank the dedicated staff of the Recycling Division for their outreach and maintaining communication, performance reviews and progress reports with municipalities to ensure that Monmouth County and its municipalities are receiving adequate grant funding for recycling initiatives,” Arnone said.
In 2017, Monmouth County generated 1.93 million tons of solid waste. Of this, 1.22 million tons were recycled for an overall recycling rate of 63%. Out of the state’s 21 counties, Monmouth County had the second highest tonnage of total recycled material, according to the press release.
“I would like to acknowledge the municipal leaders who have embraced recycling in their respective communities,” Arnone said. “Without their buy-in and support, Monmouth County would not have outstanding recycling rates and the grant funding to continue moving forward.”
In total, the DEP awarded more than $14 million in grants to county and municipal governments to improve recycling efforts, according to the press release.