Five Great Stats on Recycling in Brick

An automated recycling can from Brick Township, N.J. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Brick residents are recycling more and more, and it’s showing up in the numbers.

Councilman Jim Fozman this week said the increase is having an impact when it comes to how much the town must spend to dispose of trash at the Ocean County landfill. Simply stated, the more items that are recycled, the less Brick must pay in “tipping fees” for disposal. Among the highlights:

1. Last year at this point, residents had recycled 3,580 tons of items. So far in 2018, residents have recycled 4,764 tons of items.
2. The savings adds up quickly. Tipping fees at the Ocean County landfill average $89.22, meaning the township has saved $425,044 so far this year.
3. By this time last year, Brick residents had dropped off 9,218 tons of leaves and brush.
4. Thus far in 2018, the number has slightly increased to 9,295 tons.
5. While the township has saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in tipping fees, recycling revenue sharing – the amount the township receives for its recycled items – is declining as raw materials have lost value. Seven years ago, recycling was generating almost $26 a ton. In comparison, for
   the second half of 2017, that number was just $3.58 a ton. Brick generated $16,249 in share revenue in 2017 (the total revenue is split with the county).