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Table
of Contents:
Backyard Composting
Foam Recycling
Grasscycling
Polystyrene Peanut Drop
Reuse It
Source Reduction
BACKYARD
COMPOSTING
What is Composting?
Composting is a natural process of decomposition, where organic materials
are recycled into a dark, crumbly, earthy smelling soil amendment known
as compost.
Why
Should I Compost?
- Compost
benefits your soil and plants
- Composting
can save money
- Composting
is easy
- Composting
helps the environment
Things
You Should Compost:
- vegetable
and fruit scraps
- coffee
grounds/filters and tea bags
- grass
clippings (nitrogen source) and leaves (carbon source)
- other
yard waste
- chopped
twigs/branches
Things
You Should NOT Compost:
- Meat
scraps/bones
- Dairy
products
- cooking
oils
- pet
waste
- disease
or insect infested plants
There are
many different types of compost bins, from the simple
homemade type to a variety of manufactured types. All will work if you
follow the proper procedures.
Tips:
- Place
your compost bin on bare soil
- Keep the
material moist, like a wrung out sponge
- Allow it
to get air - stir or turn over regularly
- Cut material
being added into small pieces
- Add a variety
of materials
- Cover added
kitchen waste with brown material such as leaves
For
more information:
Call the Master Gardener Hotline for technical questions at 732-398-5220
Backyard
Compost Bin Sale
Polystyrene
"Styrofoam" Recycling
At this time, the only facility that accepts block foam,
i.e. found in packaging of computers, consumer electronics, TV's, etc.,
in this area is:
Foam Pack Industries
72 Fadem Rd
Springfield, NJ 07081
(973) 376-3700
Contact: Harvey Goodstein
No Food Containers
Polystyrene
"Styrofoam" Peanut Drop-off Locations for Re-use:
Mail Boxes Etc.
1-800-828-2214
www.mbe.com
Call or visit their website for the location nearest
you.
GRASSCYCLING….
CUT IT AND LEAVE IT!
Lawn experts have shown that grass clippings left on your lawn act as
a natural fertilizer. This produces a healthier lawn that greens sooner
in the spring and stays green longer into the fall. Leaving clippings
on the lawn also reduces weeds and the incidence of certain diseases.
Grasscycling does not contribute to problems with thatch. Thatch is
formed from the accumulation of dead roots and stems. Thatch can be
caused by overwatering and overfertilizing.
Grasscycling saves Money
- You don't need
to buy bags.
- You don't need
to buy as much fertilizer.
- You water less.
Grasscycling
saves Time
- You don't need
to bag your clippings, drag them to the curb or bring them to a recycling
center.
- You can apply
fertilizer less often.
Tips for a Great Looking Lawn
- Avoid mowing
more than the top third of the grass.
- Keep your mower
blade sharp.
- Water in the
morning, water deeply and less often.
- Fertilize less
often.
- Consider the
purchase of a mulching mower or mulching blade
attachment.
For more information
on grasscycling, contact the Division at 732-745-4170 for a brochure,
or call the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service of Middlesex County
hotline at 732-745-3442, Monday - Friday, 9 am - 12 noon.
REUSE
IT! DIRECTORY
The Middlesex County
Improvement Authority has developed a directory which details various
organizations that will accept donations for reuse. The guide lists
the materials accepted as well as contact information for the organizations.
You may call the MCDSWM at 732-745-4170 or the MCIA at 1-800-488-MCIA
for a copy of the guide.
REDUCE,
REUSE, RECYCLE
I'm recycling, why isn't that enough?
Although recycling does reduce the amount of trash going to the
landfill, it still costs money to collect and recycle those materials.
By reducing the amount of waste that you generate and reusing items
when possible, you will help save money, energy, and resources for the
next generation. Here are some ideas to help you Reduce and Reuse:
- Don't buy
what you don't need!!!
- Buy products
with the least amount of packaging.
- Buy items
packaged in recyclable material.
- Borrow, rent
or share items that you use infrequently.
- Use a mug
at work instead of disposable cups.
- Write to the
Mail Preference Service to request your name
not be sold on mailing lists so that you receive less junk mail:
c/o Direct Marketing Association, PO Box 9008,
Farmingdale, NY 11735 (include all variations of your names as well
as
street address, city, state, and zip - results could take 3-6 months);
and call or write to Trans Union to have your name and address
removed from all mailing lists offered by the main consumer credit
reporting agencies. Call 1-888-567-8688 or write to Trans Union LLC's
Name
Removal Option, PO Box 97328, Jackson, MS, 39288-7328.
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