MATAWAN – The borough of Matawan, in partnership with SC Johnson, a manufacturer of household consumer brands, has kicked off a pilot program to offer curbside collection of plastic film to its residents, the third program to launch in New Jersey.
Through this curbside pilot program, residents can recycle clean and dry plastic grocery bags, plastic storage bags like Ziploc brand bags, plastic product packaging and other flexible plastic film by placing it in a separate bin alongside yard waste. The collection will take place on the first Tuesday of every month and run for one year, according to a press release.
“We are excited to offer an easier way for our residents to recycle plastic film and we thank SC Johnson for making it possible,” Matawan Councilwoman Stephanie Buckel was quoted as saying in the press release. “This partnership will help protect our home and its historical waters by keeping this material out of the environment and the landfill.”
Matawan is the third town in Monmouth County to partner with SC Johnson on a pilot program to collect plastic film curbside.
Prior to Matawan, Loch Arbour and Bradley Beach partnered on pilot collection programs with SC Johnson, successfully recycling almost 3,000 pounds of material, according to the press release.
“Capturing plastic waste so it can be recycled is one of the most important things communities can do to protect their local environment,” said Alan VanderMolen, senior vice president and chief communications officer at SC Johnson.
“We are proud to partner with Matawan on this effort to expand plastic waste recovery options and make recycling more convenient. We hope other communities adopt similar programs because we know it can successfully be done,” VanderMolen said.
On the first Tuesday of every month, Matawan residents can put clean and dry plastic film materials including plastic grocery bags, plastic storage bags such as Ziploc brand bags, dry cleaning bags and other flexible plastic film into one plastic bag, tie the top of the bag, put the bag in the white curbside bin provided to them, and place the curbside bin next to their yard waste. The items will be picked up by a collection vehicle to be transported for recycling, according to the press release.
Three-gallon white recycling bins are available for free pick up at the Matawan municipal community complex, 201 Broad St. Individuals who have questions about participating in the program may contact Grace Rainforth at 732-566-3898, ext. 600.
