County Recycling Can For Free in Basking Ridge this Sat.

The Somerset County Recycling Division is offering Somerset County residents from all 21 municipalities an opportunity to pick up an additional recycling bucket for free between 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday at the Bernards Township Department of Public Works. The building is at 277 S. Maple Ave., in Basking Ridge. 

No registration is necessary, but proof of Somerset County residency is required.

For additional information, contact the Somerset County Recycling Division at 732-469-3363 or Ellen Sweney at sweney@co.somerset.nj.us.

"Somerset County remains committed to policies and tangible results that demonstrate environmental leadership. Our curbside recycling program accepting all plastic bottles and containers marked #1 through #7 is another perfect example," said Freeholder Jack M. Ciattarelli, recycling division liaison.

"To encourage recycling and accommodate these new recyclable materials, we are offering residents the opportunity to pick up an additional recycling bucket for free," Ciattarelli said. Some residents have been putting out other containers or overflowing blue containers previously issued to Somerset County households.

Somerset County reportedly falling behind other counties in participation rates

The most recent data from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection shows Somerset County is falling behind other counties in citizen-participation rate, said a news release issued by the Somerset County Public Information Office. To increase the recycling rate, residents must cooperate by recycling all designated materials curbside, the county urged.

Recycling materials equates to savings for Somerset County, according to information from Somerset County. When residents recycle designated materials, it raises the participation rate, which helps to offset the costs of the recycling program for the taxpayer.

Although recycling alone cannot solve New Jersey’s garbage problem, recycling programs have a significant effect on reducing the volume of waste going to landfills and preserving natural resources, according to information from Somerset County.

Curbside recycling provides the most convenient means for households to recycle a variety of materials, the county urged. Residents are asked to always recycle valuable materials such as glass bottles, aluminum and metal cans, corrugated cardboard, chipboard, newspapers, junk mail and magazines, as well as acceptable plastic bottles and containers marked #1 through #7. For more information on recycling in Somerset County, visit the county's recycling webpage.

Residents are reminded to rinse bottles, cans and plastic containers before placing them in the buckets. Clean recyclables are more desirable as they are considered a higher quality by the recycling mills, which purchase the materials, according to the news release from the county.