BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Bordentown Township Environmental Commission has been honored for its work to reduce waste and promote a clean environment by the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC).
Each year, ANJEC's Environmental Congress recognizes exceptional projects being carried out throughout New Jersey. The awards are based on impact on the community, educational value and response to a need.
The Bordentown Township Environmental Commission was given an Honorable Mention Award by ANJEC for its Zero-Waste Program.
"The Bordentown Township Environmental Commission has been focused on a zero-waste program using various zero-waste collection boxes from TerraCycle and participating in the Trex challenge," said ANJEC. "So far, they have collected more than 1,100 pounds of plastic film for the Trex challenge and almost 400 pounds of oral care products like toothbrushes and snack bags. Their efforts so far have resulted in 1,500 pounds of plastic being kept out of the waste stream."
Bordentown Township participates in TerraCycle's Zero-Waste program, which has the goal of collecting non-recyclable packaging to reduce waste and help keep tons of the Township's garbage from ending up in the landfill. TerraCycle, which is based in Trenton, partners with municipalities around the world to provide zero-waste solutions for certain waste streams so that the discarded items can be re-purposed. Residents are encouraged to save their candy wrappers, chip and snack bags, gum wrappers and granola bar wrappers and bring them to the Bordentown Township Public Works building, where a dedicated collection container is in place to discard the items.
In addition, Bordentown Township also participates in TerraCycle and Colgate's Oral Care Recycling Program. Residents can drop off any brand of used or empty oral care products and packaging, such as toothpaste tubes, caps and cartons, toothbrushes and their outer packaging and dental floss containers, to the Public Works Building. The discarded items are then sent to TerraCycle by the Township, where they are upcycled into new, eco-friendly and affordable products to be made available at major retailers.
The Bordentown Township Environmental Commission is an official arm of the Township government and was established to protect the environmental and conserve natural resources. The Commission sponsors and participates in many town programs and events, including an organic garden that produces organic food for local food banks, shredder days, plastic wrap recycling, snack wrapper recycling and oral care recycling. The Commission also co-hosts the annual Green Fair with the Bordentown City Green Team, where members educate people about trees, rain barrels, composting and other environmental issues.
Deputy Mayor Eugene Fuzy, who is the Township Committee's liaison to the Environmental Commission, praised its volunteer members for their work and achievements.
"The Township Committee applauds the volunteers that compose our Environmental Commission for their hard work and initiative," Fuzy told TAPinto Bordentown. "We look forward to more great things from them this year. I am personally very proud of their hard work and dedication to the community."
Fuzy noted that the Environmental Commission is looking for a high school student to serve as a student representative on the Commission, as well as an adult resident to serve as a member.
Bordentown Township residents who are interested in applying to become a member of the Environmental Commission must be available on the fourth Tuesday night of every month, and should be willing to help at community events and in the community garden.
To apply, fill out the Citizen Advisory Record form on Bordentown Township's website here.
For more information about the Bordentown Township Environmental Commission, visit its website here.
