Second Chance For Toys At Westfield Recycling Center

WESTFIELD, NJ - Used toys that previously languished in the attic or suffered the indignity of a garage sale are now being accepted as part of the expansion of the Conservation Center on Lamberts Mill Road.

Beyond accepting toys, residents can now recycle bulbs, batteries, Styrofoam and plastic bags free of charge and without a permit.

“Recycling is more important than ever, and we are pleased to enhance our program for Westfield residents. We are grateful to the County for the grant that allowed for this expansion, and remain committed to a sustainable, long-term recycling program,” said Director of Engineering and Town Recycling Coordinator Kris McAloon.

Westfield received $10,000 from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders’ Recycling Enhancement Grant program, which awarded $134,600 to 15 municipalities in June 2018. The grant program, which aims at improving local recycling rates, was administered by Union County with funding from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The grant allowed the recent addition of new sheltered holding structures on the property. These structures will allow the following items to be accepted:

• Styrofoam: All EPS (Styrofoam, identified by recycle symbol #6) should be clean of food, drink, tape, stickers and labels.
• Batteries: All types of household batteries, including reusable batteries, can be
recycled. Car batteries are not accepted.
• Plastic toys: All types of plastic toys (including battery powered) are acceptable, as long as they function and have all parts. No small toys (those which can fit inside a toilet paper roll) are acceptable. The Town of Westfield has partnered with Second Chance Toys, who will collect and clean the items, and then donate them to community service organizations that service children in need.
• Fluorescent bulbs: 4’ and 8’ fluorescent, circular and u-shaped bulbs are acceptable. No broken bulbs are allowed.
• Plastic bags/film: Most types are recyclable, including plastic grocery bags, bread bags, case overwraps, dry cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves, ice bags, wood pellet bags, Ziploc and other resealable bags, bubble wrap, salt bags, air pak shipping bags, and cereal bags. All materials must be clean, dry and free of food residue.

To receive a Recycling Enhancement Grant, applicants were required to submit detailed plans that fit specific requirements for promoting recycling and protecting the environment. The projects that received funding include infrastructure improvements to public recycling centers, and new recycling bins or storage containers for schools, parks, train stations and other public facilities. In the case of Westfield, the grant award funded two storage sheds for the sheltered storage of recyclables.

“The Green Team is thrilled with these new offerings to make recycling more accessible in Westfield,” said Town Council Liaison to The Westfield Green Team David Contract. “With the ongoing changes to the curbside recycling industry, we want to ensure that residents have viable, Earth-friendly alternatives when it comes to disposing of these materials.”

Contract said in addition to the new offerings residents can continue to recycle paper products, glass, plastic, and metal containers, as well as electronic waste, cardboard, mattresses, textiles, and scrap metal. Residents can also pick up mulch and firewood at the Conservation Center, free of charge.

In addition, Westfield recently launched Recycle Coach, a free app designed to help make recycling and solid waste information more accessible to residents and engage the public in the principles of “Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.” Recycle Coach provides accurate, up-to-date information on local recycling events as well as local recycling schedules in a handy, user-friendly mobile format. For more information, visit www.westfieldnj.gov/recyclecoach.

(Photos courtesy of the Town of Westfield)

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