The Princeton Farmers Market and Sustainable Princeton have teamed up again to offer farmers market patrons a chance to recycle items that are not accepted in the Mercer County recycling program.
Once a month, beginning June 27, people can drop off everything from batteries to block Styrofoam, packaging peanuts, wine corks and printer cartridges at the Princeton Farmers Market at Hinds Plaza, next to the Princeton Public Library on Witherspoon Street.
The Princeton Farmers Market is held every Thursday from May 16 to Nov. 14 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sustainable Princeton’s green Resource Recovery tent will be set up on June 27, July 25, Aug. 22, Sept. 19, Oct. 17 and Nov. 14 during farmers’ market regular hours.
This year, the Princeton Farmers Market resource collection program will accept batteries from hand-held devices, as well as cell phones, tablets and printer cartridges. The Wireless Alliance will reuse, recycle, refurbish or upcycle the items, as appropriate. Cell phones and tablets, for example, may be refurbished or shredded for precious metals reclamation.
Cleaned and empty pill bottles, minus the labels, will be accepted. Leftover medicine can be taken to the Project Medicine Drop drop box in the lobby of the Princeton Police Department at 1 Valley Road.
Wine corks and block Styrofoam and packaging peanuts – but not Styrofoam plates, cups, egg cartons or take-out food containers – can be taken to the Resource Recovery Tent. Packaging Styrofoam can be upcycled into picture frames. All Styrofoam must be brought in a closed bag to keep it from scattering.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Princeton Farmers Market. It offers people a chance to buy local produce, farm-raised meat, local cheese and honey. Its goal is to support local farmers, agriculture and business, all while educating the public about the benefits of local and healthy food.
Vendors offer gluten-free snacks, baked goods and bread, as well as small batch soups and dips made with locally sourced ingredients.
Organic vegetables, microgreens, herbs, flowers, fruit, small-batch handmade pasta, artisinal honey and bee products, pierogies and kielbasa also are available at the Princeton Farmers Market.
