Recycling
Judy Scherf, CRP, Recycling Coordinator & Clean Communities Coordinator
c/o Dept. of Public Works
18 Fostertown Road
609-654-6791 extension 322
jscherf@medfordtownship.com
Click HERE for Medford's Recycling Ordinance (scroll down for more info below the app)
Burlington County http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/recycling is responsible for the bi-weekly residential pick-up of basic recyclables. The County has implemented its single stream recycling program. If you need more information please email recycle@co.burlington.nj.us or call the County Recycling Hotline at (609) 267-6889 or the Recycling Office at (609) 499-1001 weekdays between 9 am and 5pm.
***Click HERE for a downloadable version of the 2023 Collection Calendar and the County's informational flyer with details on what can and cannot be recycled. ***
***Click HERE for the latest information on recycling PIZZA BOXES as of 6/21/2022***
The 2023 announced recycling collection dates are as follows:
January – 3rd, 17th, 31st
February – 14th, 28th
March – 14th, 28th
April – 11th, 25th
May – 9th, 23rd
June – 6th, 20th
July – 5th*, 18th
August – 1st, 15th, 29th
September – 12th, 26th
October – 10th, 24th
November – 7th, 21st
December – 5th, 19th
* indicates Wednesday collection due to holiday
If you need an additional or larger cart, please contact our Recycling Coordinator. (see above) Before ordering, please check the size of your current cart. The first 2 numbers of the cart’s serial number, found on the front of the cart, indicate its size. Residents may keep the old blue recycling containers, but please note they will no longer be emptied. If you do not want your old container(s) they may be returned to the Township Garage on Commonwealth Drive @ Gravelly Hollow Road weekdays between 7 am and 2 pm, or on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 8 am until 1pm.
Please "Recycle Smart"-- Do Not Put The Following Items In Your Recycling Cart
NO PLASTIC BAGS
NO hoses, cords, hangers, etc.
NO hardback books, food soiled, or frozen food boxes
NO wax coated cardboard
NO foil items
NO bulbs, glassware, or window glass
NO motor oil, pesticide bottles, or propane tanks
NO batteries
NO plastic wrap/sleeves/air pillows
NO plant pots, trays, or bulky plastics
NO pill bottles or needles
NO lids/cups/straws
NO shredded paper
Click HERE for a PDF File for a Reduce-ReUse-Recycle flyer
The Township Garage, located behind Bob Meyer Park on Commonwealth Drive (off Gravelly Hollow Road), is open every weekday (except holidays) from 7:00 am - 2:00 pm to accept ALL recyclables. This includes not only paper, plastic bottles and aluminum cans, but also TVs and computer components, leaves and brush. Recycling can also be dropped off the 3rd Saturday of every month from 8:00 am until 1:00 pm.
**** Click HERE for a County produced video of how their single stream recycling program works****
**PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR IMPORTANT NEWS ABOUT RECYCLING CONTAINER INSPECTIONS**
The Occupational Training Center (OTC), the contractor who collects recycling for Burlington County, has reported seeing more contaminated loads from curbside and drop-off routes at their Recycling Center.
Foreign materials including wire, batteries, scrap metal, wood blocks, aerosol cans of paint and lubricants, jugs of motor oil and more are also arriving with greater frequency. Yesterday, OTC had another fire in their baler that appears to have been from an aerosol can containing something flammable.
Now that OTC has a more stable workforce, they are directing crews to step up their inspections/rejection efforts both at the curb and at drop-offs. Residents who place foreign objects or items not recyclable in their carts will likely see their carts refused at the curb.
We encourage residents to review the current acceptable recycling material list that is posted on the County Recycling website. Their website can be found at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/345/Recycling.
Residents are reminded that contaminated recyclables reduce their value in the market and increases costs to separate these non-recyclable items from the waste stream. Residents can view a video online that shows how recyclables are processed. The video can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLx8-BbsEl8.
We appreciate everyone's efforts to recycle correctly and reduce contamination. Questions about recycling should be directed to the County Recycling Hotline at 609-267-6889.
Welcome to "Recycle Coach" Also check out the FLYER with more info. on the phone app!
FREE SHREDDING DATES FOR 2023 ANNOUNCED
The Department of Neighborhood Services is pleased at announce its schedule of free residential shredding events for calendar year 2023.
Saturday, April 1st, June 17th and October 7th, 2023.
8:00 am to 12:00 noon
DPW Yard, 2 Commonwealth Drive (behind Bob Meyer Park)
FOR MEDFORD TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS ONLY -- ABSOLUTELY NO BUSINESSES WILL BE PERMITTED
Protect yourself and your family from identity theft and financial fraud while taking steps to help the Township's Recycling Program.
The shredding truck will be available from 8:00 am until 12:00 noon at the Municipal Garage, located at 2 Commonwealth Drive. (Off of Gravelly Hollow Road behind Bob Meyer Park)
Residents may bring up to 5 boxes or bags of files (no exceptions) to be shredded on site. An experienced operator will be present in a highly secure, mobile shredding unit where your confidential materials will be shredded as you watch. Please bring paper only; plastic bags, metal, binders and binder clips cannot be shredded. (Paper clips and staples are acceptable)
100% of the paper is recycled and is applied to Medford's recycling totals, for which we obtain grants from the State of NJ under the Clean Communities Program and Recycling Tonnage Grant Program.
The DPW Yard/Township Garage is open from 8:00 am till 1:00 pm to accept all other waste and recycling materials.
For more information, call Judy Scherf, our Recycling & Clean Communities Coordinator at 609-654-6791, extension 322
DID YOU KNOW??
The State of New Jersey's Clean Energy Program offers free pick-up plus rebate$ for recycling certain appliances such as refrigerators. Check their website for more details. (www.njcleanenergy.com/recycling)
Why recycle?
Recycling saves money!!! Taxpayers save money on disposal costs, as materials that are recycled are not taken to the County landfill, where Medford pays over $80 per ton to dispose of them. If Medford increases its recycling rate by 10%, this equates to a savings of 1 cent of our tax rate! Since Recycling reduces garbage, it will also extend the life of the Burlington County landfill, which is paid for with your County tax dollars.
Also, Medford Township receives two State grants for its Recycling efforts, a Clean Communities Grant and a Recycling Tonnage Grant. These funds supplement your Tax Dollars and allows us to continue and enhance our Recycling efforts.
Just as important, 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.
HOW CAN I HELP? USEFUL RECYCLING INFORMATION
Click HERE for a Poster prepared by local Girl Scouts about Littering and HERE for their poster for Respecting our Parks
Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle
For information on the safe disposal of medically prescribed needles, please click HERE.
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
- Flushing Prescription & Other Drugs
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. MEDFORD TOWNSHIP HAS A MODIFIED CARRY IN, CARRY OUT POLICY IN ITS PARKS--ALL RECYCLABLES MUST BE TAKEN FROM THE PARKS BY USERS AND PROPERLY DISPOSED OF OFF-PREMISES.
- Fertilizers - Over application of fertilizers causes chemical run off into storm drains 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 drop-off.
- 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.
- Unwanted Medications - Unwanted medications (no needles) can be disposed of, free of charge, at the Public Safety Building (91 Union Street) RX Drop Box located in the lobby.
Other Burlington County RX Drop Box locations include:
-Evesham Township Police Department, 984 Tuckerton Road
-Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, 87th Security Forces Headquarters
-Medford Lakes Police Department, 1 Cabin Circle Drive
-Mount Laurel Police Department, 100 Mount Laurel Road (Monday-Friday, 8am – 10pm), weekends and holidays (9am – 6pm)
-Moorestown Police Department, 1245 N Church Street Suite 2
-State Police Barracks, Red Lion, 1722 Route 206
State Recycling Goal - 60%
The State of New Jersey set a goal of recycling 60% of its total waste stream. 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.
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 Neighborhood Services Department at 609-654-6791 x322.
- 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.