Media
Release
CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dean
Dellaquila
(856)
455-3230 Ext 234
Kevin
Rabago
(856)
451 3407 Ext 1
BRIDGETON
MAYOR HITS THE STREETS-BECOMES TRASH MAN FOR A DAY
In an effort to get a
better understanding of trash and recycling services in his community,
Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly has decided that it’s time to roll up his sleeves,
jump on the trash truck, and find out for himself exactly what happens when
trash haulers pick-up in the neighborhoods throughout Bridgeton.
The “ride-along” will take
place this Thursday (March 27th) when Kelly will be joining up with a Waste
Management crew starting at 7:00am at the City’s Public Works Office on Florida
Avenue and then heading out with the haulers as they move through their
“Thursday route” in Bridgeton.
“We have some decisions to
make about these services for our residents and while we have studies, plans
and reports to help us; sometimes you have to put down the paperwork and get out
into the trenches to get a sense of what’s happening on the street, and that includes
the ebb and flow of our trash”, said Kelly.
In the case of trash and
recycling, Kelly will be looking closely at the amount and nature of the
recyclables at curbside because one of the things Bridgeton will be looking at
in the days ahead is the viability and any potential cost savings that might
come from taking a “single stream” approach with their recycling.
“One point to consider is
whether or not we can increase the amount we recycle as a community if we go to
single stream; meaning that all recyclables will go into one large can as
opposed to separating paper from plastic with separate containers. If we can
increase our recyclables, we’ll reduce the tipping fees we pay and that will
help our residents in the long term” Kelly said
For Kelly, doing what he
calls “field work” is not without precedent; back in 2011 when the County
decided to move the Social Services building to Vineland, Kelly rode the New
Jersey Transit buses on several occasions to better understand the impact for
residents traveling in bad weather, rush hour, and early mornings. Kelly also
undertook a similar field survey ahead of launching the Bridgeton Area Transit
Bus Service in 2012.
“One goal in getting out
on the street is to get a true sense of how services are delivered and the
impact for residents day-to-day; I want to see things for myself before
considering any changes” said Kelly
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