Far Hills Country Day School Honored by New Jersey DEP for their aggressive recycling program

Far Hills Country Day School, a Pre-K through 8th grade private coeducational school, has created a school recycling program that combines a clustered recycling/waste system throughout the school building with an aggressive cafeteria program that not only focuses on portion control but also provides a station for washing yogurt cups to prepare them for recycling. The program has an unparalleled level of student involvement as well as the support and dedication of school administrators, faculty and staff, custodial staff and interested parents.

Seeking to improve the existing recycling program further, the school recently undertook a waste audit which resulted in identifying future goals including improved signage and the elimination of some remaining disposable food packaging items. The school also hopes to implement an on-site food waste composting system.

The school currently recycles about 170,000 pounds of white paper and cardboard and about 40,000 pounds of glass, aluminum and plastic annually.

New Jersey became the first state to require recycling with the passage of the New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act in 1987. The DEP has developed policies to boost recycling rates and adapt recycling strategies to match current lifestyles. The DEP also requires counties to achieve recycling tonnage targets and, with local and county partners, promotes public participation in recycling programs.

Awards were presented during the 31st New Jersey Recycling Symposium and Awards Luncheon in October 2011. This annual event is co-sponsored by the DEP and the Association of New Jersey Recyclers.