The Greening of Nutley

There’s nothing like Spring to start cleaning up, and Nutley is making it easier for residents with a “Shred-it Day” tomorrow.

Residents can safely destroy sensitive material while also recycling at Municipal Parking Lot 1, off of William Street, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Department of Public Works is hosting the event.

In addition, on April 21, the DPW, along with the Greenutley Committee, will host a “Compost Day” aimed at guiding and informing residents of the benefits associated with composting. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Municipal Parking Lot 8.

Free compost and compost bins will be available at a reduced rate to Nutley residents.

Joseph Scarpelli, commission of the Department of Public works, said these initiatives directly result in cost savings by reducing the town’s solid waste disposal costs.

“My goal as commissioner of the Department of Public Works is to offer new educational programs and additional opportunities which result in increased recycling numbers,” said Scarpelli.

Scarpelli said his office has expanded the recycling program to include all plastics and corrugated cardboard. Among the specific plastic items that can be recycled are: yogurt containers, peanut butter and mayonnaise jars, butter, margarine and ice cream tubs, beverage containers and plastic beverage cups, laundry detergent and kitty litter containers.

Aside from corrugated cardboard, other paper products currently recycled include newspaper, mixed papers, soft cover books, junk mail, magazines, discarded letters and envelopes, and light household cardboard such as cereal and shoe boxes. 

Increasing municipal recycling totals helps the township on both a revenue and expense perspective, Scarpelli said. Increased recycling results in additional money being generated from the sale of the material and also results in a decrease of solid waste removed - ultimately a reduction in the amount paid to dispose of the material, he said.

Scarpelli advises residents to help off-set the town’s costs and increase revenue by increasing the amount recycled in their households. He suggests placing a recycling container next to the garbage can so that each time a household item is to be disposed of, it can be placed in the garbage or in the recycling bin.

“Increasing our recycling efforts is a win-win for our taxpayers and at the same time responds to the needs of our environment,” Scarpelli said. “It is an important piece of the greening of Nutley which everyone can participate in.”