A thank you to all residents who are participating in the many different recycling programs your efforts have saved Medford Township $215,204 dollars in 2007 in disposal costs.

Medford Township accepts Rigid Plastics

The following is a list of the plastics that are acceptable.

*1 & 5 gallon buckets with metal handles attached (must be able
to see the bottom of empty bucket like paint & spackle buckets)
*Milk/soda crates
*Laundry baskets
*Plastic Hangers
*Plastic lawn furniture
*Plastic toys & bikes (batteries removed)
*Plastic playhouses
*Plastic pet carriers
*Plastic shelving
*Clean plastic flower pots
*Plastic trash cans & recycling buckets
*Plastic coolers & clean plastic drums
*Automotive plastics (such as plastic bed liners & bumpers)
*5 gallon water bottles
*5 gallon & larger plastic tubs from pool supplies (empty & rinsed)
*PVC piping, tubing & vinyl siding are not acceptable

We would appreciate it if you could bring them to the Municipal Garage on Saturdays 7am to 12 noon so they can be recycled instead of going into the waste stream. Any questions please contact Recycling Coordinator Judy Scherf at 609-654-2608 ext. 323.

Medford Township accepts certain electronic devices
Medford Township is now accepting your old computers, hard drives, monitors, keyboards, fax machines, VCR's and DVD players, also your small television sets at the municipal garage on Saturdays from 7 - 12 noon.


  REDUCE
LEAVE IT		 REUSE
MULCH IT		 RECYCLE
COMPOST IT
GRASS
CLIPPINGS		 Allow grass clippings to
remain on the lawn.		 Collect grass clippings and use as mulch on vegetable or ornamental gardens. Collect grass clippings and
use as a compost additive.
FOOD SCRAPS    
Compost in a closed-air
composting unit.
Bury food scraps in a
compost pile.
Dig trench in garden and bury food scraps
Vermicompost (worm bin).
WEEDS
AND
GARDEN
DEBRIS		    
Use as a compost additive.
Do not allow to go to seed and do not compost diseased or poisonous plants.
Tough stalks should be chopped for faster results.
LEAVES
Leaves can remain on the lawn to decompose as in a forest. This is appropriate if you want a natural setting.
Chop leaves with a mower, and allow to remain on the lawn.
Chop leaves with a mower, and use mulch to protect
garden and ornamental beds.		 Use leaves as an ingredient
in a compost system.
BRUSH
AND WOOD
MATERIALS		 Build a brush pile to attract
and provide protection for
birds (if appropriate for
your property)		 Use large branches of hardwood trees for firewood. Chip brush and woody materials for use as mulch. Woody materials can be
composted, but take much
longer than other material.
To accelerate composting,
it is recommended to chip or
shred woody material.

NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION THREATENS LAKES, RIVERS, STREAMS, BAYS AND THE OCEAN ...

Nonpoint source pollution is the contamination of our waterways as a result of everyday activities such as:

lawn fertilization
pesticide application
walking pets
changing motor oil
littering

Rain washes pollutants from streets and lawns into storm drains that flow into waterways and oceans. The collective impact of nonpoint source pollution threatens:

drinking water resources
aquatic and marine life
recreational water activities
the fishing industry
tourism

HOW TO PREVENT NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION...

LITTER - Place litter, including cigarette butts and fast food containers, in trash receptacles. Never throw litter on streets or down storm drains.
CARRY IN, CARRY OUT - To reduce litter and disposal costs, state parks have adopted a carry in, carry out policy. This requires visitors to do their part and take home any trash generated.
FERTILIZERS - Over application of fertilizers causes chemical run off into stormdrains eventually ending up in bodies of water. Fertilizers contain nitrates and phosphates that, in abundance, cause blooms of algae that can lead to fish kills. Avoid excessive application of fertilizers and application before a rainfall.
PESTICIDES - many household products made to exterminate pests are also toxic to humans, animals, aquatic life and plants. Follow directions carefully, do not overuse pesticides, and use natural alternatives whenever possible.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS - Many common household products (such as paint thinners, moth balls, drain and oven cleaners) contain toxic ingredients. When improperly used or discarded, these products are a threat to public health and the environment. DO NOT POUR hazardous products down any drain or toilet. County residents should dispose of hazardous household products at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Call 499-5200 for information or appointment. Use natural or less toxic alternatives whenever possible.
USED MOTOR OIL - Used motor oil contains toxic chemicals that are harmful to animals, humans, and fish. Do not pour used motor oil down storm drains or onto the ground. Recycle all used motor oil by taking it to a service station or local recycling dropoff.
CAR WASHING - Like fertilizers, many car detergents contain phosphates. Read the ingredients and use non-phosphate detergents.
PET WASTE - Animal wastes contain bacteria and viruses that may run off into bodies of water causing contamination.
SEPTIC SYSTEMS - An improperly working septic system can contaminate ground water and create public health problems. Avoid adding unnecessary grease and solids to your septic system. Inspect your septic tank annually, and pump it out at last every three to five years.


State Recycling Goal - 60%

The State of New Jersey set a goal of recycling 60% of its total waste stream by December 31, 1995. To maintain this goal it is necessary to recycle the mandated "traditional" source separated materials and work to expand the recycling of "non-traditional" materials.

Why recycle?

Recycling saves money. Taxpayers save money on disposal costs.
Recycling reduces garbage. It will extend the life of the landfill.
Recycling conserves natural and nonrenewable resources. Nature's supply of natural (raw) material for people to use is limited.
Recycling saves energy. Making products from recycled materials uses less energy than from raw materials.

Who should recycle?

Residents - homeowners and tenants, including occupants of multi-family housing units, are required to recycle cardboard, newspaper, mixed paper, aluminum and steel cans, glass food and beverage containers, and plastic #1 and #2 bottles.

Landlords - Owners of multi-family units and condominium associations are required to set up a recycling program for their tenants and members. Convenient storage areas with clearly labeled recycling containers should be provided. If your landlord does not provide you with the above, contact the Medford Township Public Works Department at 654-2608.

Businesses - All owners, lessees or occupants of all public and private businesses, commercial and/or industrial establishments including, but not limited to, manufacturing, retailing and/or service establishment, professional services, profit and/or non-profit corporate entities are required to recycle high grade paper and corrugated cardboard. Food establishments must also recycle food and beverage glass and cans.

Institutions - Owners, lessees and occupants of all municipal and state government facilities, all religious, educational and health care facilitates, all public and/or private civic organizations, and all non-profit or for profit organizations are required to separate corrugated cardboard and high grade paper, food and beverage glass and cans.