COUNTY – The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in coordination with the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning, is encouraging all Union County residents to join in and make this traditionally orange holiday season a little greener by participating in the Pumpkin Recycling Program this November. Residents can recycle their post-Halloween Jack o’ Lanterns, decorative pumpkins, and other gourds from Friday, November 1st, through Saturday, November 30th, at seven participating locations throughout the county.
“I am pleased to announce the expansion of our popular Pumpkin Recycling Program to seven additional drop-off locations this season,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “This sustainable alternative for disposing of pumpkins aligns with our commitment to environmental responsibility, and we are thrilled to bring it back again this year. I encourage all residents to join us in transforming food waste into clean energy by bringing their pumpkins to any of our participating locations this November.”
The Pumpkin Recycling Program will run from Friday, November 1 through Saturday, November 30 at the following locations: Berkeley Heights, DPW facility located next to town hall | Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon Kenilworth, 401 SheridanAvenue | Fridays from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 7:30 a.m. to noon Westfield, 1300 Lamberts Mill Road | Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Residents from any Union County municipality can use any of the seven locations, regardless of their hometown. Only pumpkins will be accepted at these locations, with candles and decorations removed. Other food waste will not be accepted.
When the Pumpkin Recycling Program concludes, the pumpkins will be sent to the CORe facility in Elizabeth, which is operated by Waste Management. The company’s specialized recycling process converts food waste into organic slurry, which is used to enhance the production of biogas and other renewable products at local wastewater treatment plants.
Food Waste is a global issue that contributes to excess greenhouse gas emissions, placing financial burdens on local governments for waste disposal. Although the world discards approximately 2.5 billion tons of food annually, the United States wastes more food than any country, discarding nearly 60 million tons. This amounts to 120 billion pounds of food each year, which is estimated to be almost 40% of the entire US food supply. This is equivalent to almost $218 billion, or 130 billion meals.
Traditionally, food waste is sent to landfills or burned in waste-to-energy facilities. However, new organic recycling systems offer a more sustainable approach to managing food waste. Residents can also help reduce food waste by using up leftovers and donating unused shelf items before their sell-by date expires.
For more information, upcoming dates, and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at (908)-654-9889.
