The municipalities of Neptune City and Brielle received checks as part of Monmouth County’s Recycling Stimulus Initiative grant program, which was created to encourage municipalities to increase their recycling rates.
“We want to thank these towns for doing their part to keep our County beautiful,” said Freeholder Director Gary J. Rich, Sr. “We are proud of all of the efforts made by the mayors and their towns to promote recycling in their towns.”
Neptune City was awarded a $10,000 grant for their plans to enhance the security system and update signage at their recycling drop-off center, purchase materials to assist the borough with recycling enforcement and conduct a recycling education seminar at the Woodrow Wilson School in the fall.
The Freeholders presented the check to Neptune City Mayor Robert Brown and Recycling Coordinator Gerrit DeVos.
Brielle was awarded a $6,000 grant for their plans to purchase a new roll-off container for paper recycling, supplies and signage for their repurposing program and five new 96-gallon recycling containers to enhance commercial recycling in the borough. The Borough also plans to begin an education program which focuses on repurposing old items, which would normally be discarded, for new use.
The Freeholders presented the check to Brielle Mayor Thomas B. Nicol and Recycling Coordinator Bob McArthur.
“These towns are boosting their recycling rates by educating their residents, schools and businesses about proper recycling and waste removal,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso, liaison to the Monmouth County Reclamation Center. “Education about recycling and waste removal is essential to keep waste out of our water supply and to extend the life of the landfill.”
In order to qualify for a grant under the RSI grant program, the town had to set up an appointment with Reclamation Center staff to determine what recycling efforts were being made to in the town. The town also had to attend three Municipal Recycling Coordinators meetings and raise the recycling rate by at least two percent in the town.
“For each percent the town increased the recycling rate over two, they would receive $1,000 in grant money,” said Rich. “The towns must use the funds for a recycling-based project that is approved by the County before being awarded.”
The check presentations were made at the Freeholders’ regular public meeting on June 25 in Lake Como.
The RSI grant program is overseen by the Recycling Division of the Monmouth County Reclamation Center. For more information about recycling programs, call 732-683-8686.
