Burlington Review

The Burlington County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling is urging residents to properly manage their waste during the holiday season, a time known for increased household waste due to gift-giving and deliveries. The department emphasizes that Styrofoam should be removed from cardboard shipping boxes and disposed of in household trash, not placed in curbside recycling containers.

Plastic bubble wrap and air pillows are also discouraged from being included in curbside recycling as they can cause damage to sorting equipment at the county's recycling center. Instead, residents are encouraged to take these materials to a designated drop-off location at the Burlington County Resource Recovery Complex on Burlington-Columbus Road in Florence. Other items such as bread bags, newspaper sleeves, dry cleaning bags, ice bags, and wrapping from beverage or paper goods cases can also be dropped off there.

Burlington County Commissioner Tom Pullion stated, “The holidays are a wonderful time of year, and recycling correctly will help keep it jolly. Styrofoam is one of the most common contaminants in our recycling stream and plastic film can damage our machinery. We’re asking county households to be extra careful this holiday season and recycle right.”

The Resource Recovery Complex operates weekdays from 7 AM to 5 PM and Saturdays from 7 AM to noon. Residents bringing plastic film materials should follow signs within the complex for proper disposal instructions.

Residents are reminded not to recycle foil wrapping paper or plastic gift bags, bows, ribbons, aluminum foil food trays or pie tins, or single-use plastic items like plates, cups, and cutlery. Additionally, plastic-coated gift cards or battery-embedded cards should not be placed in curbside recycling containers.

Cardboard shipping and gift boxes should be emptied, flattened, and folded before being recycled properly.

Commissioner Pullion highlighted the importance of correct recycling practices by saying: “Every single glass bottle, jar, cardboard box or piece of paper we recycle correctly can receive a second life that reduces landfill waste and saves taxpayers money.” He noted that last year nearly 82 million pounds of waste were recycled which saved towns over $3.8 million in landfill fees.

For more information about acceptable materials for curbside recycling or schedules, residents can download the free Burlington County Recycle Coach App available on Apple and GooglePlay stores. Questions can also be directed via phone at 609-499-1001 or email at recycle@co.burlington.nj.us.