Enlightened Cafe Manager Bridget Reggi shows the paper straws that replaced plastic straws at the Ventnor eatery.
CAPE MAY COURTHOUSE - Atlantic Cape May County Sustainable Jersey Regional Hub will offer a free event focusing on what some local communities are doing to tackle plastic waste through creative recycling programs. The event will be held 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 15 at the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority, 1523 Route 9 North.
This event is the second in a series of workshops on plastic waste and follows a Feb. 27 Hub event that offered insights from local and regional industry professionals on how changes in global markets have impacted recycling. These changes have resulted in a heightened focus on reducing contamination and improving the quality of materials that are sorted for further processing and re-manufacturing.
Our last workshop focused on the current challenges to recycling, but the good news - and there's a lot of it - is that people doing some great things to improve and strengthen recycling in our area. It's definitely not all gloom and doom," Hub Co-Chair Amy Menzel said. This event will showcase some of these local programs.
Some of the topics covered will be school initiatives, including Cape May County's competition to recycle plastic bags, local examples of how towns are using education and enforcement of recycling regulations to improve the quality and increase the quantity of recycling collected, as well as creative alternatives for collecting hard to recycle materials.
"We're really pleased to be able to host his Hub event at our new facility," CMCMUA Executive Director Joseph Rizzuto said. "It's important for people to understand the work that's being done by municipalities, counties, schools and others to keep recycling going strong."
According to Hub Co-Chair Ralph Cooper, anyone can attend.
"You don't need to be a member of a green team to participate, everyone is welcome. Programs we'll be discussing can be replicated by other towns and we hope municipal officials and elected leaders will attend."
Municipal officials and recycling coordinators are encouraged to attend. Continuing education credits will be available for certified recycling professionals attending.
There is no cost to attend, but registration is requested. Register online at bit.ly/ACMHubPlastics2
