Little Silver Recycling Gets Accolades and a Grant

Little Silver will receive a performance-based grant in excess of $10,000 to help fund its recycling program, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

In addition, the borough has received word from Monmouth County that its recycling program has again received an "excellent" rating by the county's Solid Waste and Recycling Department.

Helen Gormley, Little Silver's recycling coordinator, and its public works department, headed by Jim Gannon, deserve credit for the continuing success of the program.

In announcing this year's municipal grants, the state DEP noted that this is the 25th anniversary of the state's Mandatory Recycling Act - the first in the country to require recycling. The Act requires towns and counties to adhere to strict recycling requirements and guidelines.

The $10,458.57 state grant, funded with a $3 per ton surcharge on trash disposed of at solid waste facilities, is based on "demonstrated recycling successes," according to the DEP. And the county's highest rating came after reviewing Little Silver's administration, scope of services, enforcement, and overall effectiveness.

Assistant Clerk Sharon Kavendek advised that the grant will be used to offset the cost of curbside brush and limb collection.

Municipal solid waste includes paper, corrugated paper, glass, metal containers and plastics. Please consult the town's website, www.littlesilver.org, for an up-to-date recycling pickup schedule, and for the hours of operation of the recycling center on Fairview Avenue. Every ton of recycled material not tossed into the trash saves the borough money by reducing its trash disposal fees, so please pitch in.