Recycling Rate Doubles in Montville

As the township marks its one-year anniversary of moving to a single stream recycling program, data shows the recycling rate for has doubled since 2007, according to a township official.

This year, the township has reached a 40 percent recycling rate, as indicated in data provided by businesses, institutions and organizations that are required to submit tonnage reports to the township. Additionally, residents have stepped up their recycling efforts through the township's single stream recycling program and during recycling events, such as

Last April, the township adopted a resolution to move to a single stream recycling program, which allows residents to place all of their recyclables in one container to later be separated by machines at a sorting facility. Items that can be recycled, according to the township's website, include paper (newspapers, magazines, phone books, etc.), corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, tin cans, glass bottles and other plastics that have numbers 1 through 7 printed on the botom inside the recycling symbol. Gable top containers, such as milk or orange juice cartons, with a waxy cardboard are not to be recycled.

"The reviews from our residents have been very positive. Comments are that single stream recycling is easy. One container, once a week," Mayor Tim Braden said. "The increase in recycling tonnage allows us to reduce our garbage disposal fees proportionally, and it is great for the environment!"

Braden said the more recycled products the township collects, the lower the tonnage fees for garbage.

"It's a win-win for our residents," he said.

The township also creates other opportunities to recycle, including an annual Recycle Day, held Saturday, where residents were able to bring paper to be shredded and electronics to be recycled to the municipal building parking lot. The free event was hosted by the Montville Environmental Commission.

"It is the goal of Montville Township and the Montville Environmental Commission to make recycling easier, convenient and less costly for all residents," Michele Caron, a Montville Environmental Commission member, said in a press release leading up to the event.

While the recycling efforts of the community have been recognized by officials, there is still more recycling that can be done. To learn more about the township's recycling program, visit the township website here.