New Recycling Rules In Effect

New rules are in place regarding Parsippany-Troy Hills recycling efforts. Effective immediately, residents may recycle orange juice containers, milk cartons and juice boxes.

"It's great news," said Gregory Pavlic, code enforcement officer for the Recycling/Sanitation division of the township's Department of Public Works.  "People can recycle these items, and it's easy -- they just put them into the co-mingled recycling bin along with glass, plastic items and cans."

 The recycling issue is bigger than it's ever been," said Director of Public Works R. Greg Schneider. "Things are changing very, very quickly."

 The changes are happening because the recycling landscape is undergoing a shift in which more and more items can be used in new ways.

 "One of the biggest gripes I have heard from people over the years is about how to deal with bottles marked on the bottom with a 1, a 2 or a 4. It says 'recycle,' but you're not supposed to put it in recycling. Well, now we can," Schneider said. "We try to combine as many things as we can. We have vendors on board that will separate out what material is used for what, and they're finding more uses for plastic items, so things marked 4, 5 and 6 could possibly turn into viable products after being recycled."

The main issue fueling the changes is money.

"Recycling generates revenue," Schneider said. "It offsets some of our costs, and that's always a very big thing." 

Up until recently, plastic items with any marking outside of a number 1 or 2 was refused by vendors who paid the township for the items recycled. 

"Many vendors and towns still will only accept 1s and 2s," said Pavlic. Parsippany "will take [almost] anything. The vendor we deal with tells us that they'll accept all these types of materials." 

Items that aren't recyclable yet may be someday. Right now, the DPW cannot accept PVC pipe and styrofoam items. According to Pavlic, it's because there presently is no market for them. 

"The only thing you can make out of styrofoam product is another styrofoam product, and unfortunately, styrofoam is a forever product in a landfill. It doesn't break down. It's there forever," he said.

Technology is changing things rapidly, though, Pavlic added: "Items that aren't recyclable yet may be someday."

 Schneider hopes so.

 "There is no more landfill space in New Jersey. We send ours to landfills in Pennsylvania," he explained. "The whole point of recycling is to save space, because eventually, Pennsylvania will run out of space too, and then where will we take disposable material, Indiana?"

 Schneider said that education is of paramount importance in the effort to promote recycling and green living.

"We're trying to make it easier for the public to understand that it benefits all of us to recycle," he said. "Recycling is a plus-plus activity. We all win."

Recycling is also mandatory.

New Jersey's recycling law has been in place since 1987. As Parsippany's recycling enforcement officer, Pavlic is responsible for making sure that residents, businesses and sanitation workers comply with the law.

"There are consequences for noncompliance," he said. "I have the authority to issue a summons."

Pavlic added that he has never ticketed someone for recycling offenses and hopes he won't have to do so.

"Believe me, it's something that would be a last resort," he said. 

In the meantime, the DPW will continue to focus on efforts to keep as much recyclable material out of landfills.

"I'd like to see 100 percent of the recyclable material stay out of landfills, but that won't happen," Schneider said. "The law mandates 50 to 60 percent, and we're at 38 percent." 

He said the public's cooperation is needed to meet the state standard.

"Our job is to educate the public," Schneider stated. "And education about recycling will be a priority."

If you are a Parsippany resident and have questions about recycling, call the Township Recycling Department at (973) 263-7273.