September 14, 2021 – Absecon, NJ – The City of Absecon, the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) and The Recycling Partnership are pleased to announce that Absecon households will be receiving new 96-gallon recycling carts for curbside, single-stream recycling collection.
The carts will replace the smaller bins currently used for residential recycling and come with wheels for easy maneuvering and attached lids to keep recyclables dry and secure. Delivery will begin on September 20.
“We are excited to bring carts to the residents of Absecon. The new carts are easy to move, durable and will keep our streets cleaner on recycling day. We look forward to seeing an increase in recycling rates and a decrease in litter,” said Absecon Mayor Kimberly Horton.
The carts were funded in part by a grant from The Recycling Partnership, a nonprofit organization that works with city governments nationwide to transform their recycling programs.
“The Recycling Partnership is excited to work with Absecon,” said Haley Gabbard, Community Program Manager at The Recycling Partnership. “The City’s commitment to creating equitable access to recycling will increase the capture of quality recyclables, which supports local jobs and protects the environment.”
The new carts should be the primary containers used by residents on recycling day. Residents may still use smaller bins when additional capacity is needed as long as the bin has a lid (lids are available to purchase for ACUA 20-gallon buckets if needed). The carts are property of the City and should remain at the address delivered.
Residents are encouraged recycle glass jars and bottles, aluminum and steel cans, paper products, flattened cardboard, and empty plastic bottles and containers labeled with numbers 1, 2 or 5. To limit contamination, residents are asked to give food and drink containers a quick rinse prior to placing items in the recycling cart. Some items that should never go into your recycling cart include plastic bags, paper towels, electronics, batteries, and clothing. Please visit acua.com/recycling101 for details.
Atlantic County communities that have already switched to carts have seen a 5 to 10 percent increase in recycling rates, which also leads to a decrease in trash costs.
To safely empty the carts, ACUA’s collection team utilizes an automated cart tipper to lift and pour materials from the containers into the truck, which helps reduce the risk of injury for collection staff.
“The switch to carts just makes sense – they keep our communities cleaner, and they have proven to increase recycling rates in municipalities that adopt them,” said ACUA President Rick Dovey. “We look forward to expanding this effective and efficient collection system.”
Additional information will be provided with the cart when delivered, and residents can learn more at www.abseconcity.gov or by calling the City of Absecon at 609-641-0663 x105 or ACUA at 609.272.6950.
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