Recycling Coordinators Meeting

September 26, 2024 Morris County Municipal Recycling Communities Coordinators Meeting, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Helpsy, 246 Industrial Way West, Ste 109 Building E, Eatontown, NJ

Meeting Attendees received (Sign-in sheet is provided at the bottom of this page.)
– Approved CPR Credits: 1.5 Classroom & 1.5 Meeting
– Approved CPWM Credits: 3 Government

Tour Of Helpsy

The MCMUA hosted an in person Municipal Recycling Coordinators (MRC), Meeting on September 26, 2024, at Helpsy, 246 Industrial Way West, Ste 109 Building E, Eatontown, NJ. The meeting was held from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and there were 21 people in attendance, which included 10 MRCs. Other attendees included employees of the MCMUA, County Health Division, and Helpsy as well as two Environmental Commission members who were invited by Helpsy staff. The NJDEP requires all MRCs to attend one County-held meeting per year and 39 out of Morris County’s 39 MRCs met this requirement by attending this meeting. The meeting was approved for 1.5 CRP Classroom Credits and 1.5 CRP Meeting Credits, and 3 Certified Public Works Manager Government Credits.

Attendees arrived and dropped off any textile waste they brought for processing before going to the meeting area. A table was set up with educational materials from the MCMUA, including the newly published Multifamily Toolkit and Morris County Environmental Guide. 

Anthony Marrone, MCMUA District Recycling Coordinator welcomed everyone to the meeting and reviewed credits offered by today’s class followed by the agenda. All attendees introduced themselves.

Marrone and Alessia Eramo, Recycling Program Education and Training Administrator, presented an introduction and several MCMUA program updates. They discussed the following:

• Anthony reminded everyone about the deadlines for CRP recertification.
• Anthony introduced the newly completed Multifamily Toolkit. This document will be distributed to various appropriate departments within Morris County municipalities. He summarized the contents and shared how it can be accessed.
• Anthony shared information about upcoming events hosted by the Association of New Jersey Recyclers (ANJR) New Professionals Network – Tour of Mazza Recycling (10/10) and Sustainable Fashion Show, Panel and Networking Event at Helpsy (12/12). Anthony also shared information about the ANJR Recycling Symposium and Awards Ceremony on 10/23 and that the MCMUA will cover the cost of the event for 2 guests from each municipality.
• Anthony reminded MRCs to review the 30-day audit received by the NJDEP and verify that the tonnage included in the audit matched what they submitted in their municipal tonnage report. The deadline is 9/27.
• Alessia provided a summary on the projects she has been working on starting with MTG Data Review.
  • After the current year’s round of MTG submissions, Alessia conducted a follow-up on the process with other members of the MCMUA. They identified ways to facilitate obtaining tonnage reports and assist municipalities in compiling their recycling tonnages. These tools will be implemented for the next round of submissions in 2025.
  • Alessia reviewed the 2021 30-day audit and Municipal Rate Table, and the recently received 2022 30-day audit. Through these reviews and correspondence with the NJDEP, calculation errors in the 2021 Municipal Rate Table were addressed, differences in disposal tonnages between the NJDEP and MCMUA were identified, and the validation of recycling data by the NJDEP following the 30-day audit was explained. Better understanding of the rate table and clarification of the source data was a goal proposed in the County’s REA grant application.
• Alessia discussed Food Waste initiatives the MCMUA is working on for the rest of this year into spring of 2025.
  • The first initiative aims to improve food rescue efforts in Morris County, so that excess food can be effectively obtained and distributed by food pantries. This project includes identifying gaps or needs in the ability for excess food to be distributed by engaging food producers, banks, and/or pantries in Morris County.
  • The second initiative is a campaign to engage restaurants of Morris County to bring awareness to food waste and encourage rethinking of commonly discarded food scraps. The MCMUA plans to publish a food waste cookbook featuring recipes from local restaurants, spotlights on sustainable actions, and education on food waste prevention.
• Alessia also discussed the new MCMUA Recycling Ambassador Program. This is recycling course designed for community stakeholders and engaged residents. The course consists of an in-person class, a manual with that goes further into depth about topics taught in the class, and a final project. Participants in the course are expected to be a recycling resource for their community, to share their knowledge, and to provide support for MRCs in accomplishing better and more recycling.

The following additional speakers gave presentations: Brianna Rodriguez and Patrick Herrera, Morris County Division of Public Health Registered Environmental Health Specialists; and Karen Bretas and Nicole Pellagrino, Helpsy. A synopsis of each presentation is below.

Brianna Rodriguez and Patrick Herrera, Morris County Division of Public Health  

Brianna discussed Health Department Program Updates including inspections performed so far this fiscal year at different types of facilities. They have been focusing on multi-family housing. Two new people were hired in the Health Department that will receive training in all aspects of solid waste, and the Health Department will be continuing its partnership with the MUA. Patrick Herrera gave an update on food waste and requirements for food waste generators. Only large food waste generators are required to transport their food waste recycling facility if it is located within 25 miles of them. There are only two in New Jersey. All food waste can go to a Class C facility. Patrick distributed food waste inspection sheets and asked MRCs to report large food waste generator to the Health Department. He also addressed questions associated with food waste recycling at municipal depots.

Karen Bretas and Nicole Pellagrino, Helpsy

Representatives from Helpsy gave a presentation regarding the Helpsy company. They presented information about the organization, its operations, and its origins. It is a B Corp and they consider the environmental, social, and economic impacts of their operations. They discussed the nature of textile waste and how they intercept various waste streams to keep textiles out of landfills. Fast fashion items are usually discarded within 1 year and 85% enter the municipal waste stream. Textiles are the fastest growing category in the waste stream and they currently make up 6% of the municipal waste stream. They also discussed how they can accomplish this efficiently using their proprietary sorting software. Some materials are sold in bulk as they are, and others are sorted and directed to the most appropriate outlet. The sorting takes place by brand, condition, and type. Project warmth collects donated coats for the needy. The presentation was followed by a tour of the Helpsy facility. Attendees could see the bales of textiles prepared for different outlets, such as textiles bought back from thrift stores that will be resold or textiles obtained from other resellers that will be sorted. Helpsy focuses on reuse with 90% of their items sold to thrift stores. Helpsy will also collect other items from collection bin locations, such as plastics that they provide to Trex for decking. Barbara Benelli of Helpsy conducted a demo of their software and how they assess and enter the item information for sorting into the proper bins.  

Lunch and Networking

A catered lunch was provided consisting of salads and sandwiches provided by the MUA. Attendees debriefed on the day’s activities. After lunch, everyone received a shirt with the Helpsy and MUA logos. Helpsy rescues textiles like the shirts that are surplus or have minor imperfections. The meeting ended at approximately 1pm.