def # 101 06/08/11
OCEAN COUNTY AWARDS RECYCLING GRANTS;
IMPROVES RECYCLING FOR SCHOOLS AND TOWNS
TOMS RIVER - Schools and municipalities will be improving recycling programs with the help of recycling grants from the
Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
"We will be distributing almost $140,000 to participating schools and towns," said Freeholder James F. Lacey, who serves as
liaison to the county’s recycling program. "This money goes toward the improvements of municipal and school recycling
programs with the eye toward increasing recycling rates."
In February, Ocean County announced grants were available through the county recycling grant funding program which
this year included both towns and school districts.
"The premise of the program continues to be the same which is to provide funds to help improve municipal and school
recycling programs," Lacey said.
Under the program, proposed improvements to recycling drop off centers would be matched up to $35,000 and school and
education materials would be matched up to $5,000.
"I am happy to announce today that of the 15 applications submitted, we are awarding 12 grants as recommended by the Ocean
County Solid Waste Advisory Council," Lacey said
.
Grant recipients and the amounts are: Toms River Township, $39,652; Ship Bottom, $2,478; St. Joseph Grade School, Toms
River, $273; Berkeley Township Elementary School, $3,274; Bayville School, Berkeley Township, $725; Monsignor Donovan High
School, Toms River, $819; Beachwood, $3,987; Lacey Township High School, $1,897; Lacey Township, $20,247; Long Beach
Township, $25,000; Seaside Heights, $10,144 and Brick Township, $27,800.
"The recycling grant program, which was originally called a minigrant program, got started in 2001," Lacey said. "It has
helped to provide funds to expand recycling drop off centers, which in turn increases the convenience of recycling for
county residents. The more convenient the program, the more people will recycle."
For instance, Lacey noted that with its grant, Toms River will make improvements to the recycling center entrance, including
a pavilion, barriers, LED display board, concrete work, electrical upgrades in addition to producing a single stream
recycling brochure for direct mailing.
"All of these improvements along with a public awareness campaign assists in our efforts to improve recycling rates which
helps the environment and comes with economic benefits," Lacey said.
Lacey said the Berkeley Township Elementary School plans on using its grant money to fund recycling containers for the
hallways and playgrounds.
"Getting our schools to actively participate in recycling, from the staff to the students, also helps the county’s overall
recycling program," Lacey said. "Schools are
large producers of recyclable materials. From papers to plastic bottles, district employees and students alike can make a
substantial contribution to the environmental and economic benefits derived from recycling."
The county has distributed more than $1.5 million to towns and schools under the grant program. Much of the money
for the program comes from the Recycling Enhancement Act Tax Entitlement, which is a $3 per ton tax charged at the Ocean
County Landfill.
"Recycling comes with a host of benefits both environmental and economical," said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari.
"Ocean County does its part to provide the funds that will be used to help improve recycling programs. We encourage our
towns and schools to take advantage of the grant program."
Grant applications are reviewed by a subcommittee of the Ocean County Solid Waste Advisory Council consisting of
Theresa Lettman, James Boekholt Jr., Suzanne Plesnarski and Angela Kacsur and given approval by the SWAC before being
presented to the Board of Freeholders.
