Mayor’s column: Recycling information
In Voorhees, we are proud of our recycling efforts and can boast one of the best recycling programs in the state. In 2013, our community recycled 65.66 percent of all our municipal waste. The 17,503 tons we recycled last year saved our township $918,915 in disposal fees.
The township has adopted single stream recycling where paper, cardboard, bottles, cans and plastics are placed together in the township supplied recycling container. We recycle plastic containers with numbers 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7. Look for those numbers inside the triangle recycling logo.
Beginning in January 2011, the Electronic Waste Management Act banned the disposal of televisions and all personal portable computers, including laptops and notebook computers as well as computer monitors in regular household waste. Camden County will collect electronic waste four times in 2013. The next collection date is Oct. 26 at the Camden County Public Works Complex, 2311 Egg Harbor Road, Lindenwold, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Voorhees will accept your used motor oil and it can be dropped off at the Public Works facility at 100 American Way. The drop off location is at the end of the dead end street under a sign stating “Oil Drop Off.” Be sure to store your used motor oil in a container that will not leak. Please do not mix other substances such as antifreeze or transmission fluid with the used oil. Remember to store used oil away from children and sources of ignition.
Regular “Alkaline” batteries can be disposed of in the regular trash. However, rechargeable batteries, which can be found in such items as cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, camcorders, etc. cannot go into the regular trash. These items can be recycled at participating retail locations including Radio Shack, Best Buy, Staples, Target, Office Max, Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, Wal-Mart and Verizon wireless stores. To find the nearest retail location to recycle your rechargeable batteries visit www.rbrc.org.
Vegetation/garden waste can be placed curbside every Monday and will be picked up during the course of the week. Grass clippings and leaves must be placed in cans or biodegradable bags. Loose leaves will only be picked up during designated spring and fall collection schedules. Small branches should be bundled and must weigh less than 40 pounds.
There is no question that recycling protects our environment while saving money.
** The next show in our “Summer Twilight Series” is Aug. 8 (rain date Aug. 9) with the first appearance of Let’s Hang On: A Musical Tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Enjoy the hits made famous by those boys from Jersey. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Connolly Park and is free.
** Voorhees Township is offering discounted tickets to Morey’s Piers in Wildwood. Tickets are available in the municipal clerk’s office at Voorhees Town Hall. Prices vary according to the type of ticket and several options are available to residents and non-residents. Voorhees also offers discounted tickets to Clementon Lake Park via our online services. For more information about tickets or to order online, visit www.voorheesnj.com.
** The Farmer’s Market at the Voorhees Town Center is open from 8 a.m. until noon every Saturday rain or shine through Oct. 5. Vendors include Duffield’s, Fruitwood, Bellview Winery and more, “Jersey Fresh” and locally grown produce, meats, cheeses, wines and more.
