As Ocean County continues to “recycle right,” the Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management has created a new guide to assist businesses with their recycling efforts.

This new guide is to help local businesses adjust to waste regulations and aide in transitioning to a more sustainable economic model.

“As a shore community, the environment is a high priority in Ocean County,” said Ocean County Commissioner Barbara Jo Crea, who serves as liaison to the County recycling program. “Our beaches, parks and scenery attract many visitors throughout the year, which helps our local economy.”

The new recycling guide shows a variety of vendors for many mandated recyclables designated by the State of New Jersey. It also highlights many services that the County provides to support local businesses with waste disposal.

For example, businesses can bring materials to either the Northern Recycling Center in Lakewood or the Southern Recycling Center in Stafford Township and take advantage of the free disposals services offered by Ocean County for single-stream recyclables (paper, glass, metal and plastic containers), cardboard and boat shrink-wrap. The Ocean County Recycling Centers also offer brush and leaves disposals for a fee and businesses are welcome to purchase compost and mulch as well.

In addition, the new recycling guide includes information on the latest legislation regarding single-use plastics and some recommendations to reduce waste generated from their activities.

“We strive to be a leader in recycling and sustainability in Ocean County with all the many recycling programs that are available to our residents throughout the year,” said the Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Joseph H. Vicari, liaison to Business Development and Tourism. “I look forward to our local businesses getting involved and working with us to help continue keeping Ocean County a beautiful place to live.”

He noted the Ocean County Division of Business Development and Tourism assisted with the guide.

Businesses that are interested in a copy of the recycling guide can email [email protected] or find the digital guide online at www.co.ocean.nj.us/recycle.

“The goal is to help our local businesses transition with us to support a sustainable economy where Ocean County can grow without compromising our most valuable assets, people and the environment,” said Crea. “By assisting our businesses with this guide, it will help in our continuing efforts to protect the environment and reduce the amount of waste going into the landfill.”