Matawan Residents Can Start Recycling Plastic Bags Tuesday

MATAWAN, NJ — Starting Tuesday, April 6 Matawan residents can now recycle plastic bags and other pieces of plastic, as long as they are put in a separate recycling bin out with yard waste.

This is a pilot program Matawan is launching.

Under the new plan, Matawan residents can recycle clean and dry plastic grocery bags, plastic storage bags like Ziploc-brand bags, plastic product packaging and other flexible plastic film. Just put those items in a separate bin alongside yard waste.

The collection will take place on the first Tuesday of every month, starting this Tuesday, April 6, and run for one year.

This is being done through a partnership with SC Johnson Companies.

“We are excited to offer an easier way for our residents to recycle plastic film and thank SC Johnson for making it possible,” said Matawan Councilwoman Stephanie Buckel. “This partnership will help protect our home and its historical waters by keeping this material out of the environment and landfill.”

What Matawan residents should do:

On the first Tuesday of every month, residents can put clean and dry plastic film materials including plastic grocery bags, plastic storage bags such as Ziploc-brand bags, dry-cleaning bags and other flexible plastic film into one plastic bag. Tie the top of the bag, put the bag in the white curbside bin provided to them, and place the curbside bin next to their yard waste.

The items will then be picked up by a collection vehicle to be transported for recycling.

Three-gallon white recycling bins are available for free pick up at Matawan Municipal Community Complex located at 201 Broad Street Matawan, NJ 07747. For any additional questions about participating in the program contact Grace Rainforth, Recycling Coordinator, at (732) 566-3898, ext. 600.

The borough of Matawan is the third town in Monmouth County to partner with SC Johnson on a pilot program to collect plastic film curbside. Before Matawan launched, Loch Arbour and Bradley Beach have been doing this, successfully recycling almost 3,000 pounds of plastic material.

“Capturing plastic waste so that it can be recycled is one of the most important things communities can do to protect their local environment,” said Alan VanderMolen, senior vice president and chief communications officer at SC Johnson. “We are proud to partner with Matawan on this effort to expand plastic waste recovery options and make recycling more convenient. We hope other communities adopt similar programs because we know it can successfully be done.”

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