Batteries: Batteries should never be put in your
recycling cart, nor taken to the Recycling Center, not only
because they are contaminants in the
recycling process, but because certain
rechargeable batteries - lithium batteries, in
particular - may combust if damaged and so
pose a threat to recycling facilities and staff.
Rechargeable batteries can be recycled at
one of the 30,000 public and private
Call2Recycle collection sites located
throughout the United States and Canada.
Learn more about battery recycling options
at https://www.call2recycle.org/.
Rechargeable batteries, including lithium batteries, can also be taken to BCUA Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Events - for dates/times/locations of BCUA HHW Collection Events CLICK HERE . Alkaline batteries may be discarded in regular garbage, or you may tape both ends and call the DPW Office for an appointment to drop them off (at the DPW Office only): 201-387-4055 option 3.
Composting: if you are interested in purchasing a composter machine, please contact the BCUA (County). To contact the BCUA (County), please CLICK HERE .
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has developed a series of Sustainable Business Guides to encourage NJ businesses to adopt sustainable practices and reduce their environmental impact:
Promotional Tools from NJDEP for Recycling & Sustainability:
- http://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/promotools.html
- https://www.nj.gov/dep/aqes/sustainability-infographics.html
Updated (March 2021) roster for the New Jersey WasteWise Business Network:
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle - additional information from the NJDEP:
- http://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/source_red.htm
- http://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/educationandlinks.html
Single Stream Recycling Process at Materials Recovery Facility (MRF):
Infographic from NJDEP - E-waste Disposal:
- https://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/ei/E-Waste.pdf
- Remember: E-waste, especially lithium ion batteries, NEVER go in your recycling cart nor in your garbage cart - LITHIUM ION BATTERIES START FIRES in collection trucks & at recycling facilities!
- Please take your lithium ion batteries to BCUA collection events: 2021 BCUA Collection Events Info
Infographic from NJDEP - Plastic Bags Disposal/Recycling:
- https://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/images/bags.pdf
- Remember: Plastic bags NEVER go in your recycling cart - PLASTIC BAGS CLOG UP RECYCLING FACILITY MACHINERY!
- Please recycle plastic bags at grocery store drop-off locations
Infographic from NJDEP - Spring is in the Air!
Recycling Fun Fact from NJDEP: Recycling one ton of aluminum conserves up to five metric tons of bauxite ore and 14 megawatt hours of electricity!
NJDEP website for Food Waste Information and Resources: https://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/Food%20Waste%20Resources%20Webpage.pdf
NJDEP resource on the "Cut It and Leave It" approach to lawn management: https://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/Grass%20Cut%20It%20and%20Leave%20It.pdf
Important Single-Use Bag Ban Resources
With organizations across the state preparing for the bag ban which goes into effect May 4th 2022, there have been three websites launched that contain important information for businesses and for residents:
NJCCC: www.bagupnj.com
NJDEP: www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/plastic-ban-law
NJBAC: www.business.nj.gov/recent/disposable-bag-ban
Note: Effective November 4th, 2021 - single use plastic straws provided by request only at restaurants, cafés, delicatessens, coffee shops, convenience stores, vending trucks or carts, food trucks, movie theaters, business or institutional cafeterias, and non-profit organizations that handle food. Single use plastic straws will continue to be allowed to be sold in packages at all stores and pre-packaged items like juice boxes will continue to be allowed to be sold in stores.
Exemptions from plastic and paper carryout bag bans:
• Bags used to contain or wrap uncooked meat, fish or poultry • Bags used to package loose items • Bags used to contain live animals • Bags used to contain food sliced or prepared to order, including soup and hot food • Laundry, dry cleaning or garment bags • Bags provided by a pharmacy to carry • Newspaper bags • Any similar bag, as determined by the NJDEP pursuant to rule, regulation, or guidance.
Exemptions from ban of polystyrene foam food service products (expires May 4, 2024):
• Disposable, long-handled polystyrene foam soda spoons when required and used for thick drinks • Portion cups of 2 oz. or less, if used for hot foods or foods requiring lids • Meat and fish trays for raw or butchered meat, including poultry, or fish that is sold from a refrigerator or similar retail appliance • Any food product pre-packaged by the manufacturer with a polystyrene foam food service product • Any other polystyrene foam food service product as determined necessary by the NJDEP.