FLORENCE – Burlington County residents have three more opportunities this year to safely dispose of sensitive documents and plastic film during the county's scheduled shredding events this fall.
Plastic drink carriers, also known as “handles,” are also collected at the shredding event.
The first event will be held at the Burlington County Resource Recovery Complex, 22000 Burlington-Columbus Road in Florence, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 8. Two more events will be held at the same location and time on Oct. 13 and Nov. 10.
During these three events, residents can recycle sensitive documents such as bank and credit card statements, tax returns and other papers containing sensitive information, such as account or Social Security information.
Already this year, county residents have recycled more than 56,300 pounds of paper during shredding events in March and May that drew more than 1,900 residents.
“Burlington County is excited to offer this free program that allows residents to dispose of financial and confidential documents in a safe and environmentally friendly way,” said Burlington County Commissioner Felicia Hopson. “This is a great county service that helps promote recycling and sustainability.”
Shredding is for Burlington County residents only (out-of-county residents, businesses, and non-profits will be turned away), and only confidential documents will be accepted at the event. Magazines, junk mail, and household trash will not be accepted. Also, binders, plastic folders, computer disks, and plastic credit cards will not be accepted.
Identification is required. Limit four paper bags or boxes weighing 10 pounds or less. Place in trunk or luggage area for easy access by staff. Already shredded paper is also accepted.
During shredding, the county will also collect clean, dry plastic bubble wrap, plastic shipping envelopes, and plastic wrap from cases of water and paper products. These materials should be bagged separately from the paper and kept dry and free of food residue.
Plastic PakTech drink carriers used to transport aluminum cans of beer, soda and carbonated drinks will also be collected as part of the county's new initiative. The carriers are recyclable, but should not be placed in curbside recycling bins as they cannot be separated by machines at the county recycling center. Residents are encouraged to bring their used plastic carriers to the Recovery Complex during shredding or during the Recovery Center's regular business hours on weekdays and Saturdays. Carriers should be bagged separately from paper and plastic film.
The plastic film material will be recycled through the county's partnership with Trex, a Virginia company that makes composite decking and railings from recycled plastics, and the drink carriers will be recycled by the county and sent to a plant to be made into new handles and other plastic products.
More than 260 pounds of plastic film material was collected during the county's two spring shredding events.
“Every pound of paper or plastic that we properly recycle saves landfill space and tax dollars that municipalities would spend on disposal fees,” said Burlington County Commissioner Tom Prullion, liaison with the Solid Waste and Recycling Agency. “Last year, Burlington County residents helped recycle more than 82 million pounds of recyclables, saving our municipality approximately $3.9 million in additional fees, so we want to encourage residents to continue taking advantage of these free shredding events.”
Courtesy of Burlington County
First published: