Cumberland County Improvement Authority


	Steven R. Wymbs Executive Director Board Members Albert B. Kelly Chairman Sumner N. Lippincott Vice Chairman Virginia E. Curliss, Treasurer Clair H. Miller Assistant Treasurer Joseph W. Veight III Secretary Todd W. Heck, Esq. Solicitor Bruce T. Peterson Co Freeholder Liaison Louis N. Magazzu Co Freeholder Liaison

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY COUNTINUES SUCCESSFUL

NURSERY AND GREENHOUSE FILM PARTNERSHIP
DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP, NJ: New Jersey's nationally recognized nursery and greenhouse film collection and recycling program is entering its 10th consecutive year. Growers may take their nursery and greenhouse film to two regional collection sites year-round, the Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex in Deerfield Township, and the Burlington County Occupational Training Center in Mount Holly. Out-of-state growers may take their used film to the Mount Holly site. The Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex will only accept film from New Jersey growers.

“ New Jersey is a leader in film recycling. Because of this, Federal and State government agencies and non-profit organizations have sought our assistance in setting up their own programs,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Charles M. Kuperus. “Not only does the recycling of these materials keep it out of landfills and out of the environment, but it can save growers money in disposal costs.”

“ The Department of Agriculture has been a great partner in this program and we are proud to continue our participation in 2006,” said Cumberland County Improvement Authority Executive Director Steven R. Wymbs. “Since the Nursery and Greenhouse Film Recycling Program was implemented in 1997, growers have recycled more than four million pounds of nursery and greenhouse film, saving Garden State farmers almost $60,000 in landfill tipping fees. Of the total amount of material recycled, nearly three million pounds have been collected at the Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex.”

“ In 2005, the Nursery and Greenhouse Film Program was expanded from a seasonal to year-round program which has increased response even more,” Wymbs continued. “During 2005, Garden State growers recycled a total of 748,000 pounds of used film, a 36 percent increase over the amount recycled in 2004 and the most film recycled since the program was initiated in 1997. Growers who participated in the program in 2005 saved $11,224 in avoided landfill costs.”

“ There were also four farmers who sold more than 390,000 pounds of baled nursery and greenhouse film directly to plastic recycling firms,” said Cumberland County Recycling Coordinator Dennis DeMatte, Jr. “If growers have more than 50 acres of nursery or greenhouse film to recycle and have the ability to bale the film, it may be advantageous for those growers to market the film themselves. The Improvement Authority can assist in this process.”

As a reminder, vehicles used to transport greenhouse and nursery film are not required to be licensed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as long as the used film is transported directly to the collection

site. Both white and clear nursery film and clear multi-season (two-year, three-year, and four-year) greenhouse covers may be recycled. Film must be free of lathing, staples, and saran. Loads containing other agricultural plastics, such as bags, mulch film, shrink film, stretch film, drip irrigation, or ground cover film, will be rejected at the collection sites. A tipping fee of $25 per ton will be assessed for loads delivered to the Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex.

For additional information on the Nursery and Greenhouse Film Recycling Program or other recycling programs in Cumberland County, please call the Improvement Authority at 856-825-3700 or visit our Web site at www.ccia-net.com.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

For more information about this press release, please call Dennis DeMatte, Jr. at 856-825-3700.