The deadline for businesses, institutions and commercial establishments to file recycling tonnage reports with their local municipal recycling coordinators for the Jan. 1, 2013 through Dec. 31, 2013 time period is no later than March 1, 2014. 

Last year, the Somerset County Department of Public Works mailed approximately 10,000 letters to Somerset County businesses reminding them of the importance of reporting tonnage so the numbers could be included in the County’s annual totals and they could comply with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) regulations.

Not reporting recycling tonnage can put a tremendous burden on a business because NJDEP policy dictates that enforcement action will be taken if a business is not in compliance within 30 days of being notified.   

In 1987, Governor Thomas Kean signed the Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act. The law requires New Jersey residents, businesses, institutions and commercial establishments to separate recyclable material from regular trash.

Businesses are responsible for the separation and proper disposal of mandatory recyclable materials, such as newspapers, magazines, chipboard, glass and aluminum containers, corrugated cardboard, steel and tin cans, plastic bottles, mixed paper, motor oil, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, tires, electronic and yard waste.

A brochure, titled "Recycling: A Guide for Somerset County Businesses, Institutions & Industries," can be found at bit.ly/RecyclBus. The guide provides information about recycling and telephone numbers for municipal recycling coordinators.  Also, more information about business recycling can be found at www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle/business.html

Organizations that are just starting to set up a recycling system should contact their solid waste hauler for recycling information and cost estimates and their municipal recycling coordinator for recommendations on setting up a system. Organizations also should establish policies and educate their employees about recycling.

Somerset County businesses wishing to use county recycling services, can contact the Somerset County Recycling Center at (732)469-3363 or recycling@co.somerset.nj.us  for details about the program and its cost. 

The NJDEP requires that the Somerset County Department of Health conduct inspections at local businesses and institutions to verify compliance with mandatory recycling rules.  Inspections are made throughout the year. 

For more information about the recycling tonnage reporting requirement or about where to file a report, contact the Somerset County Division of Solid Waste Management at (908) 231-7109 or solidwaste@co.somerset.nj.us.