Cumberland County Improvement Authority

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 6, 2006

IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES NEW PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NEW JERSEY: As part of a new public shared services partnership program, the Cumberland County Improvement Authority is launching a new “Recycling Collection Program” for Mixed Paper and Commingled Recyclables in conjunction with County School Districts and County and Municipal offices. This new program is designed to reduce costs for the participating public entities and increase recycling participation even further.

“ We are very excited about the response the Improvement Authority has received for this new program,” said Improvement Authority Executive Director, Steven R. Wymbs. “County Recycling Coordinator, Dennis DeMatte, Jr. and the Improvement Authority staff are working very hard at putting this collection program together and meeting with public entities throughout the County to discuss the potential benefits of joining the program. Start-up costs for the program are being absorbed by the Improvement Authority. The day-to-day operations will be funded by a yearly collection fee paid by the recipients and through the marketing of the recyclable materials which are collected.”

As part of the program, the Improvement Authority has purchased two front-end loader trucks and 154 front-end loader containers. The containers are being distributed to public entities that have joined the program including:

The County of Cumberland Vineland Public Schools

Commercial Township Board of Education Fairfield Township

Cumberland County College Hopewell Township

Cumberland County Technical Education Center Lawrence Township

Deerfield Township Board of Education Upper Deerfield Township

Greenwich Township Board of Education Stow Creek Township

Maurice River Township School District

Millville Board of Education

Stow Creek Township School

Upper Deerfield Township Board of Education

The Improvement Authority will have separate collections for Commingled Recyclables and Mixed Paper from each location.

“ Sharing services such as recyclable collection is a win-win situation for the participating public entities and the Improvement Authority,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Bruce Peterson, Co-Liaison to the Improvement Authority. “Sharing services is an integral part of increasing government efficiency and lowering the cost of providing services to County residents. The goal is to pass these savings on to residents.”

This sentiment is echoed by Commercial Township Business Administrator, Frank Badessa. “The new Recycling Collection Program, and other shared services programs we have entered into with County government, is providing Commercial Township taxpayers with nearly $10,000 a year in savings. When you multiply this effect throughout the County, the overall savings becomes quite significant. We appreciate the efforts of the Freeholder Board and agencies like the Improvement Authority in finding creative ways to lower costs whenever possible for our residents,” said Badessa.

“ In addition to reducing costs, we see this program as a way to increase recycling participation even further throughout the County,” said Cumberland County Recycling Coordinator, Dennis DeMatte, Jr. “In fact, the collection trucks will also be equipped with scales in order to accurately quantify how much material is being collected from each location. We will be able to review this data with the individual locations and look for ways to increase participation.”

“ We believe this program fits nicely with current Department of Environmental Protection efforts to increase recycling participation rates throughout the State,” DeMatte continued. “In fact, Cumberland County has been a leader in these efforts through the establishment of programs like the Recycling Collection Program and our very successful Mix It With Your Newspaper Recycling Program. As a result of this innovative thinking and the cooperation of County residents and businesses, Cumberland County continues to be one of the top recycling counties in the State.”

The Improvement Authority has begun to place the collection containers at their appropriate locations. The first collection vehicle arrived in August, and the Program will kick-off in Millville and Upper Deerfield Township. Collection routes will be developed and maintained by Improvement Authority staff.

“ We are already looking at ways to expand the program even further. We invite public entities who have not signed-up to contact the Improvement Authority to learn more about the program,” Wymbs concluded.

For more information about the Improvement Authority’s Recycling Collection Program, or other Improvement Authority sponsored programs, please call 856-825-3700 or visit the Improvement Authority’s Web site at www.ccia-net.com.

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