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Solid Waste Management
 Plan Amendment
Morris County, New Jersey
Response to the January 2006 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Solid Waste Management and Sludge Management State Plan Update - March 2007
3. Existing and Proposed Morris County Source Reduction, Recycling and Waste Diversion Programs
This section provides an inventory of some of the existing programs, as
well as programs to be implemented and/or expanded, that will help Morris County achieve the recycling goals
stated in this Plan Amendment.
3.1 Existing Programs
(a) Household Hazardous Waste and Special
Waste Management Programs: Reducing the Source of Toxicity in the
Waste Stream While Making it Safer to Handle
Since 1985, Morris County has been sponsoring
Household Hazardous Waste (“HHW”) cleanup
events for its residents and conditionally-exempt small quantity
generators ("CESQGs"). The HHW management program provides the community with an outlet through
which to manage its hazardous waste materials properly. Over time, the MCMUA has dedicated increasing amounts of time,
money and resources toward expanding its HHW management program. The HHW program reduces the source of toxicity in the
MSW waste stream, thereby making it safer to handle while lessening its impact
on the environment.
The MCMUA accepts batteries and fluorescent light bulbs from
municipalities and businesses as part of its universal waste recycling
program. These common, yet hazardous, materials are collected at the MCMUA
Recycling Consolidation Center
in Dover, New Jersey. In addition, the MCMUA collects used consumer electronics and ships them to a
demanufacturer. Also the MCMUA operates a permanent HHW facility at its transfer station in Mt. Olive
Township. This is only the third facility of its kind in New Jersey, and it provides HHW generators with
year-round access to proper HHW management through scheduled appointments on most Tuesday, Friday and
Saturday mornings.
The MCMUA has nurtured the growth of its HHW program since its inception
in 1985, and since then it has evolved into one of the most
comprehensive of its kind in New Jersey. Morris County’s program is good for the environment in that it protects water
resources and helps sewage treatment plants and disposal/recycling
facilities comply with their environmental requirements. In addition, HHW programs protect workers who collect and/or
process garbage and/or recyclables from the unknown dangers that might lurk there.
Periodic HHW cleanup events have been held since 1985 with increasing
popularity among Morris County residents. They have traditionally been held in a central location in the county,
but the MCMUA also holds disposal days at different locations on the periphery
of the county in an effort to provide the public with greater access
to these programs. On site at all disposal events, in addition to a licensed hazardous materials
management company, are Morris County Sheriff’s officers with training in both traffic control and explosives
management. A representative from the MCMUA is also on site at all times to oversee the disposal event,
assist with traffic control and answer participants’ questions. In addition, the MCMUA representative
oversees the packaging of materials and preparation of manifests for signature. For the past several years,
used consumer electronics have been accepted at the cleanup days; this has become an increasingly popular
feature of the program.
As a means to provide a more comprehensive approach to HHW management, the
MCMUA constructed a permanent HHW facility at its Mount Olive Township transfer station, which began
operations in April 1998. Since that time, the permanent facility has been open to accept
waste on over 800 days while accepting waste from over 15,000 participants.
By establishing its permanent drop-off site for HHW, the MCMUA has
significantly improved and expanded Morris County’s HHW management program. This
facility provides a more convenient and accommodating HHW program for
residents and CESQGs. Permanent, on-going availability of HHW management lessens the potential for
illegal disposal or dumping of HHW by residents who are unable or unwilling to wait for a one-day
collection event.
The MCMUA HHW facility consists of two pre-fabricated waste storage units,
five poly storage units, an office trailer, and a 1,000-gallon waste oil storage tank. The
facility itself sits on a concrete pad that would contain any sized
spill and it is located in a walled-in area in the northwest portion
of the MCMUA Mount Olive transfer station. It is open to residential and CESQGs by appointment on most
Tuesday, Friday and Saturday mornings throughout the year. The MCMUA oversees the operation of the facility that is
performed by a private, licensed hazardous waste management company. All material collected is transported
for recycling and/or disposal at least every 90 days.
Besides the hazardous waste accepted for disposal, many items are accepted for
recycling. The current list of recyclable materials accepted includes non-rechargeable and
rechargeable batteries, lead acid batteries; used consumer electronics including computers,
monitors and televisions, copiers, faxes, audio components, etc.; antifreeze; motor oil and
motor oil filters; fluorescent light bulbs; and propane cylinders.
Not only is the MCMUA providing a valuable service to its own residents and
CESQGs, but it is also serving the surrounding counties by making access available to its permanent HHW
facility for their residents and CESQGs who may not be willing or able to wait for their own
counties’ one-day HHW cleanup events. The Permanent HHW Facility is the only facility of its kind
located in Northern New Jersey.
Used Consumer Electronics
(UCE) Recycling Program
In 2001 the MCMUA combined its HHW collection events with its used consumer
electronics (“UCE”) collection events. The MCMUA also collects UCE at its permanent HHW facility,
which is open year-round. The amount of UCE collected over the past few years has increased
dramatically with the advent of collections at the HHW facility. As an example, the MCMUA collected over
a total of 135,000 pounds of UCE in 2004, while in 2005 it collected over 234,000 pounds,
an increase of almost 100,000 pounds in one year.
On April 1, 2002, a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) safety code
went into effect that prohibits the refilling of propane tanks that are not equipped with overfill
protection devices (OPD). This code applies to propane tanks with capacities between 4
and 40 pounds, including the 20-pound tanks used by millions of households for barbecue grills. While
tanks manufactured after September 30, 1998, are equipped with the required OPD, it is estimated that there
are 40 million 20-pound propane tanks that do not have OPDs and must be retrofitted or become
obsolete.
If the tanks are discarded along with household trash, there is the risk of
explosion or fire during collection. Morris County has addressed this matter by accepting these propane tanks for
recycling as part of its HHW management program. This includes accepting these tanks at both the MCMUA permanent
HHW facility as well as during its periodic HHW disposal days.
Universal Waste Program - Used Household Battery Recycling
Household batteries contain a variety of toxins and heavy metals. When landfills are their
final resting place, the batteries will rust and decay, releasing both acids and heavy metals (e.g., mercury, zinc,
chromium, cadmium, nickel, lithium, lead) and a host of toxic elements into the soil. These in turn will act and
react with each other as well as with materials in the surrounding area. The final result is leachate that often
ends up in the groundwater, a particularly serious problem in old landfills where linings were rarely used.
From a broader environmental perspective, the disposal of lead and
cadmium in landfills represents a missed opportunity to recycle these
metals, which both technically and practically can be refined and
reused in new batteries and other products. Recycling these metals therefore reduces the demand for virgin
materials and contributes to the achievement of the ultimate environmental goal of sustainability.
In 1994, the MCMUA began collecting discarded rechargeable and alkaline
batteries for recycling at its Recycling Consolidation Center in Dover. Initially, just municipalities
were allowed to participate in the recycling program by delivering collected batteries to the Center
for recycling; however, in 1998, the MCMUA began accepting batteries from commercial generators. Morris
County accepts and recycles both alkaline and rechargeable batteries. In addition, the MCMUA accepts
lead-acid batteries for recycling at both its permanent HHW facility and at its one-day HHW collection events.
Universal Waste Program - Fluorescent Lamp Recycling
The reason why proper fluorescent lamp management is important is that fluorescent
lamps contain mercury. Mercury is an extremely noxious and enduring substance which is harmful to both
human health and the environment. Fortunately, since 1985 the average mercury content per four-foot lamp
has decreased from 48 mgs to 23 mgs of mercury. Some manufacturers already produce fluorescent lamps with less
than 10 mg of mercury (e.g., Phillips Alto Lamp). Despite this progress, lamp waste is the second largest source
of mercury in the waste stream (after batteries).
Since March 1997, the MCMUA has been granted the authority by NJDEP to operate
a universal waste recycling program for fluorescent light bulbs at its Recycling Consolidation Center in Dover, NJ. By
participating in this recycling program, regulated hazardous waste generators may utilize
the universal waste regulations, as opposed to the hazardous waste regulations, for management purposes. This
allows a regulated hazardous waste generator to reduce the quantity of hazardous waste it generates for
recordkeeping purposes. Since universal waste does not require manifesting for transportation and/or disposal
purposes, significant cost reductions related to recordkeeping and disposal can be experienced by
businesses. In addition, valuable warehouse/storage space is freed up by recycling bulbs in a timely manner.
According to information obtained from the EPA Green Lights Program, lamp
recycling represents only 1% of a fluorescent lamp’s life-cycle cost. Fluorescent lamps are 100%
recyclable, and recycling does provide productive reuse for thousands of tons of glass, aluminum, phosphor
powder and elemental mercury. In addition, recycling resolves the issue of extended company liability if
materials are directed away from landfill disposal. Last, but not least, recycling should be included as
a cultural practice if a company has a goal of reducing waste-related expenses and providing a total quality
vision. The MCMUA recycles all spent fluorescent lamps collected from Morris County government offices.
Since the inception of the MCMUA universal waste recycling program in March
1997, over 1.5 million fluorescent lamp feet have been diverted from the waste stream and then recycled,
resulting in the removal of over 200 pounds of mercury from the municipal solid waste stream.
“Catch The Fever” Mercury Thermometer Collection Program
The USEPA found in its Mercury Study Report to Congress that
fever thermometers contribute about 17 tons of mercury to solid waste every year. In an effort to
combat this release of mercury, the MCMUA initiated the “Catch the Fever” Mercury Thermometer
Collection Program in 2003. The MCMUA provides participating municipal offices and local pharmacies with
drop-off buckets for mercury-containing thermometers dropped off by residents seeking to properly manage
their mercury-containing thermometers. The MCMUA then collects these buckets and disposes of thermometers
through its HHW facility
program.
Awards for the Morris County HHW Program
-
2003 USEPA Environmental Quality Award Recipient - In April 2003,
the MCMUA was presented with an Environmental Quality Award for its outstanding commitment to protecting
and enhancing environmental quality through its sponsorship of special and hazardous waste management
programs. The Environmental Quality Awards are the highest recognition presented to the public by the
USEPA. Awards recipients come from all sectors of the community, including non-profit, environmental and
community groups, individual citizens, environmental education and business organizations and members
of the news media.
-
2002 Environmental Protection magazine “Facility of the
Year” Honorable Mention – The MCMUA HHW facility was spotlighted as an “honorable
mention” (and the only governmental agency) chosen as a “role model[s] to show us how to deal with
today’s economic challenges while maintaining our commitment to protect the environment.”
-
2001 NAHMMA Program Excellence Award for Hazardous Waste Management - In
2001, the MCMUA received a Program Excellence Award at the 16th Annual Hazardous Materials Management Conference
in Portland, Oregon, for its outstanding hazardous waste management program. Sponsored by the North American
Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA), this conference recognized and promoted
exemplary pollution prevention initiatives.
-
“A Special Effort for a Special Waste” - In April 2000, Waste Age
magazine published an article outlining the MCMUA’s efforts to manage household hazardous waste.
-
1999 SWANA Special Waste Management Excellence Award - In 1999, the MCMUA was
selected to receive the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) Special Waste Management
Silver Award for its commitment to achieving the highest standards in the municipal solid waste field.
This award was presented at the SWANA WASTECON 1999/37th Annual International Solid Waste Exposition
in Reno, Nevada. The SWANA Special Waste Management Excellence Award is presented annually to (1) recognize
outstanding performance in operation, design, efficiency and an overall integrated solid waste management
system, and (2) promote excellence to the general public.
(b) Recycling Collection Programs
MCMUA Curbside Recycling Program
Beginning in December 1985, Morris County began collecting newspapers at curbside,
once per month, in box vans from 2 of the 39 municipalities in the county. Since that time the county recycling
collection program provided by the MCMUA has greatly expanded. In 2006, approximately 40,000 households (more than
one fifth of all the households in the county) in 15 municipalities receive curbside collection every other week
by the MCMUA curbside program. The service provides collection of 8 different types of recyclable materials
including newspaper, mixed paper (junk mail/magazines), corrugated cardboard and brown bags, chipboard/
paperboard, aluminum cans, steel cans, glass bottles and jars, and plastic bottles (coded 1 and 2). Collection
is provided by two compactor trucks, one for paper materials and the other for bottles and cans. For the residential
sector, collection is provided both at curbside and from rear-load dumpsters where needed in some multifamily complexes.
In all
but one of the 15 municipalities in the MCMUA program, the collection
service includes the provision of roll-off containers at the municipal
recycling center/depot, and transportation for those containers to
market when they are full. The
MCMUA also provides this roll-off service to 3 other municipalities
that are not part of the curbside collection program.
Materials transported in roll-off containers includes those
collected at curbside, as well as scrap metal and yard waste in some
municipalities.
In
addition to residential households, collection is also provided to
some businesses and schools. In
2 municipalities, the MCMUA has collection routes established in the
downtown business district for a combined total of 69 businesses
including 3 post offices. Collection
is also provided to 32 schools in 10 municipalities.
In total,
the Morris County Recycling Collection Program collected/transported
well over 21,000 tons of recyclable material in 2005.
Municipal Recycling Collection Programs
In
addition to the 15 municipalities that utilized the MCMUA curbside
recycling program, all but 2 of the remaining 24 municipalities
provide curbside recycling program either by their own departments of
public works or under contract with private collectors.
One other municipality has curbside collection provided to
residents privately through subscription service.
The 2 municipalities that have limited or no curbside
collection of recyclables have municipal recycling centers/depots
where their residents can drop off their recyclables.
One of those municipalities offers curbside collection for
newspaper only. Table 7 indicates, by municipality, the curbside
collection programs and/or recycling center/ drop-off programs offered
in each municipality for various types of paper and bottles and cans.
In
addition to offering collection of paper and bottles and cans, most
municipalities also provide collection of many other materials both at
curbside and at drop-off sites. These
materials include yard waste (leaves, grass and brush), scrap metal,
household batteries, tires, textiles, etc.
Table
7
Municipal Recycling Programs
|
Municipality
|
Curbside
Collection
|
Recycling
Center/
Drop-off
Program
|
|
Boonton
|
P
|
P
|
|
Boonton
Township
|
P
|
P
|
|
Butler
|
P
|
|
|
Chatham
Borough
|
P
|
P
|
|
Chatham
Township
|
P
|
P
|
|
Chester
Borough
|
P
|
|
|
Chester
Township
|
P
|
|
|
Denville
|
P
|
P
|
|
Dover
|
P
|
P
|
|
East Hanover
|
P
|
P
|
|
Florham
Park
|
P
|
P
|
|
Hanover
|
P
|
P
|
|
Harding
|
|
P
|
|
Jefferson
|
P
|
P
|
|
Kinnelon
|
P
|
|
|
Lincoln Park
|
*
|
P
|
|
Long
Hill
Township
|
P
|
|
|
Madison
|
P
|
P
(mainly for small businesses)
|
|
Mendham Borough
|
P
|
P
|
|
Mendham
Township
|
P
|
|
|
Mine Hill
|
P
|
|
|
Montville
|
P
|
|
|
Morris
Plains
|
P
|
P
|
|
Morris
Township
|
P
|
P
|
|
Morristown
|
P
|
P
|
|
Mount
Arlington
|
P
|
P
|
|
Mount
Olive
|
P
|
P
|
|
Mountain
Lakes
|
P
|
P
|
|
Netcong
|
P
|
| 
